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Reliving the moments of JFK’s death

There are many local connections to former President John F. Kennedy – the former Girard police officer who guarded him on State Street, the Warren woman who snapped his picture at the log cabin, the rush to change the name of John F. Kennedy High School in Warren. We relive those local connections on the front page of today’s Tribune Chronicle.

Considering how much has been said as we commemorate the 50th anniversary of JFK’s assassination, perhaps it’s best, especially for those not old enough to remember, to simply relive the moment through these historic Associated Press dispatches:

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Dallas (AP) – President Kennedy was shot today just as his motorcade left downtown Dallas. Mrs. Kennedy jumped up and grabbed Mr. Kennedy. She cried Oh No. The motorcade spedb on [sic]

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Dallas (AP) – Rep Albert Thomas D-Tex said he was informed President Kennedy and Gov John Connally of Texas were both still alive after having been shot in an assassination attempt. Thomas standing outside the corridor of the emergency room in which both Kennedy and Connally were under treatment said he had been told that the President was still alive but was – in very critical – condition

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Dallas (AP) – When the President was taken into the emergency room a call was sent out immediately for some of the top surgical specialists in Dallas. A call was also sent for a Roman Catholic priest. Congressman Jim Wright of Fort Worth said both Kennedy and Connally were seriously wounded but were alive.

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Dallas (AP) – Hospital officials said they had given the President a transfusion of B-posi-tive blood from the bank and were calling for fresh blood of that type to have it ready if additional transfusions were needed.

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Dallas (AP) – President (Kennedy) was given the last holy rites of the Roman Catholic Church today …

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Dallas (AP) – Two priests who were with Kennedy say he is dead of bullet wounds.

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Dallas (AP) – Kennedy, 46, lived about an hour after a sniper cut him down as his limousine left downtown Dallas. Automatically the mantle of the Presidency fell to Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson who had been riding two cars behind the Chief Executive. There was no immediate word on when Johnson would take the oath of office. Gov. Connally of Texas was cut down by the same fusillade. Connally and his wife had been riding with the President and Mrs. Kennedy. Johnson was whisked away by Secret Service men. His whereabout [sic] were being kept secret. The President was shot once in the head. Connally was struck in the head and wrist. Police found a foreign-make rifle. Sherriff-s [sic] officers were questioning a young man picked up at the scene.

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