They may have walked into this home, where maybe they didn't have at
that particular time any milk in the box. Maybe Lee was going to bring
groceries home. But I know they were not in destitute circumstances in
that respect.
They had no money and didn't have anything. I brought groceries, and I
brought a roll of scotch toweling. I had bought two packs and I gave
them one.
And the next day when I went by, the scotch toweling was in the
kitchen, on a coat hanger, with a nail.
And I think that is real nice, a young couple that doesn't have any
money, that they can use their imagination, and put up the scotch
toweling to use on a coat hanger. They are just starting married life
in a new country. And they have no money. But here is the point. The
Russian friends, who were established, and had cars and fine homes,
could not see this Russian girl doing without. They are the ones that
interfered. They are the ones that interfered, and were not happy the
way this Russian girl--and within a short time, then, this Russian girl
had a playpen, had a sewing machine, had a baby bed, and a Taylor Tot.
And this all came out in the paper--that they supplied this to the
girl, because she was in need of these things.
I say it is not necessary for a young couple to have a playpen for a
baby. We have millions and millions of American couples in the United
States that cannot afford playpens for the children. I, myself, have
been in that position.
So I think those things were immaterial.
The point I am trying to bring out is that these Russian friends have
interfered in their lives, and thought that the Russian girl should
have more than necessary.
And my son could not supply these things at that particular time. He
was just starting to work.
This, to me, is very strong in my mind, that there are a lot of Russian
friends that were made immediately, that have interfered and have
publicly stated--a circle of friends, approximately eight or nine,
that would not give their names in the paper, they were interviewed by
Mr. Tinsley of the Star Telegram--that has downed Lee for every way
possible.
So these are the Russian friends who are established with cars, and
didn't think that the Russian girl was getting a good break in America.
Mr. RANKIN. Were there any differences between you and Lee Oswald or
Marina while they were in your home? Did you have any quarrels?
Mrs. OSWALD. No, sir, no, sir, none at all.
Now, there was one thing. And I will point out the character of my son,
and what I am saying about the playpen and so on.
Now, this was all done within a few weeks time. They moved there--they
left my home in July, and they moved there in August, and then they
moved to Dallas in October. So it was in this period of time that all
these things were accumulated from Russian friends.
And no man likes other people giving--interfering in his way of living,
and giving all these things to his wife that he himself cannot supply.
This is a human trait, I would say.
Now, I want to bring this story up.
I could not afford to buy a bed for my grandchild, because I have
worked prior to this for nothing. The job that I had quit I was making
$25 a week, gentlemen--a 24-hour live-in job. The jobs prior to this I
worked for $10 a week, 7 days a week, a live-in job.
Because of Lee's so-called defection, and my accident, the way I was
treated, left destitute, without any medical or compensation, I decided
to devote my life to humanity, and I became a practical nurse. And I
have worked for $5 a week, living in the place.
So I had no money, I had $200 saved, when I came to Fort Worth, and
that is what I rented the house with, and brought the food with.
So then that leaves me broke.
So I gave up a job in order to help this girl.
So to get back now to the home, Mr. Rankin--we had no quarrels. This
month was beautiful. Marina was very happy.