On November 22, 1963, the world was shaken by the assassination of President John F. Kennedy in Dallas, Texas. As investigators pieced together the events of that fateful day, one name emerged that raised eyebrows and sparked curiosity: Stuart Reed. This amateur photographer managed to capture two crucial moments related to Lee Harvey Oswald, the man accused of killing Kennedy. But was Reed simply in the right place at the right time, or was there something more to his involvement?
The Photographs That Raised Questions
The Bus Photo: Capturing Oswald’s Escape
According to the Warren Report, Lee Harvey Oswald left the Texas School Book Depository just three minutes after the shooting, at 12:33 PM. He then boarded a bus seven blocks away at the corner of Elm and Murphy. On its way to Oak Cliff, this bus was headed back towards the depository.
What makes this ordinary bus ride extraordinary is that Stuart Reed managed to take photographs of the very bus Oswald was on while he was on it. These photos are the only known images of Oswald’s initial escape from the crime scene.
The Arrest Photo: A Perfectly Timed Shot
Later that day, when police cornered Oswald at the Texas Theater, Reed was there again. He positioned himself across the street from the theater at the exact moment Oswald was escorted out the front door in handcuffs. Reed’s photograph of this moment has since become iconic.
Who Was Stuart Reed?
A Visitor from the Panama Canal Zone
At the time of the assassination, Stuart Reed was not a Dallas resident. He was working in the Panama Canal Zone for the Army’s Personnel Management Division. Reed was in Dallas visiting his daughter on the day of the assassination, according to FBI reports about the photos.
The Unquestioned Witness
Strangely, despite capturing these crucial moments, Reed was never questioned by the FBI, the Warren Commission, or any other investigative body. This lack of official interest in Reed’s story and photographs has fueled speculation about his role in November 22, 1963.
The Coincidence That Raises Eyebrows
A Photographer’s Luck or Inside Knowledge?
The fact that Reed captured both the bus Oswald was on and his arrest at the Texas Theater has led some skeptics to wonder whether he had foreknowledge of the assassination plot. Specifically, they question how Reed knew Oswald would be on that particular bus and that he would be arrested at the Texas Theater.
Two Key Moments, One Photographer
While it’s possible to argue that Reed just happened to take some pictures and coincidentally captured Oswald’s bus, the combination of this photo with his perfectly timed shot of Oswald’s arrest is more challenging to dismiss as mere chance. For Reed to get both the bus photos and be positioned in front of the Texas Theater at the exact moment when Oswald was led out in handcuffs is, at the very least, a remarkable coincidence.
The Larger Context: Oswald’s Escape Route
To understand the significance of Reed’s photographs, it’s important to consider the conflicting accounts of Oswald’s movements after the assassination.
The Official Story: Bus and Taxi
The Warren Report states that Oswald took a bus and then a taxi to reach his rooming house. Several pieces of evidence support this account:
- A bus transfer found in Oswald’s pocket when he was arrested, dated November 22, 1963.
- Testimony from Cecil McWatters, the bus driver who identified Oswald at a police lineup.
- Testimony from Mary Bledsoe, Oswald’s former landlord, who was on the same bus.
- Testimony from William Whaley, the taxi driver who took Oswald to his rooming house.
The Alternative Account: The Nash Rambler
However, several witnesses reported seeing a man who looked like Oswald fleeing the scene in a Nash Rambler station wagon. This account conflicts with the official bus and taxi story:
- At least six witnesses reported seeing the Rambler.
- Three witnesses, including Sheriff Roger Craig, identified the man getting into the Rambler as looking just like Oswald.
- A “dark-complected” man reportedly drove the Rambler.
The Importance of Reed’s Photographs
Given these conflicting accounts, Stuart Reed’s photographs take on added significance. His bus photos seem to support the official story of Oswald’s escape. However, the very existence of these photos, combined with Reed’s arrest photo, raises questions about how he managed to be in the right place at the right time on multiple occasions.
Unanswered Questions
Why Wasn’t Reed Questioned?
One of the most puzzling aspects of the Stuart Reed story is the lack of official interest in his testimony. Despite capturing crucial photographic evidence, Reed was never questioned by any investigative body. This oversight seems strange given the thorough nature of the Warren Commission’s investigation.
What Was Reed’s Background?
While we know Reed worked for the Army’s Personnel Management Division in the Panama Canal Zone, little else is known about his background or his reasons for being in Dallas that day. More information about Reed’s life and connections could potentially shed light on his role in these events.
How Did Reed Know Where to Be?
The key question remains how Reed knew to be in these specific locations at these crucial moments. Was it truly just coincidence, or did he have inside information about the day’s events?
The Legacy of Stuart Reed’s Photographs
Regardless of the answers to these questions, Stuart Reed’s photographs have become an important part of the historical record of November 22, 1963. They provide visual evidence of Oswald’s movements and arrest, contributing to our understanding of that chaotic day.
However, the circumstances surrounding these photographs also serve as a reminder of the many unanswered questions and coincidences that continue to fuel debate about the Kennedy assassination. Reed’s story is just one of many threads in the complex tapestry of that day’s events, leaving us to wonder what other puzzle pieces might still be hidden from view.
A Snapshot of Mystery
Ultimately, Stuart Reed’s photographs serve as evidence and an enigma. They provide valuable visual documentation of key moments in the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination. At the same time, the circumstances of their creation raise intriguing questions about Reed’s role and the possibility of deeper, hidden aspects of the assassination plot.
As with many elements of the Kennedy assassination, Stuart Reed’s story and his photographs remind us that history is often more complex and mysterious than it first appears. It challenges us to look beyond the surface, to question coincidences, and to consider the possibility that there may be more to the story than meets the eye.
Whether Reed was a fortunate amateur photographer or something more remains a tantalizing mystery. His photographs, frozen moments in time, continue to spark curiosity and debate as a reminder that sometimes the most intriguing stories remain partially hidden in the shadows of history.
