In the early morning hours of November 23, 1963, just hours after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, Jack Ruby exhibited some strange and erratic behavior. His actions and words during this time paint a picture of a man deeply affected by the tragic events around him. Let’s dive into the bizarre world of Jack Ruby and explore his peculiar conduct in the hours following one of America’s darkest days.
The Emotional Turmoil of Jack Ruby
A Man Shaken by Tragedy
Jack Ruby, a Dallas nightclub owner, was known for his volatile personality and emotional outbursts. The assassination of President Kennedy seemed to amplify these traits, pushing Ruby into a state of extreme distress and agitation.
Sleepless and Restless
Unable to sleep and consumed by the day’s events, Ruby drove around Dallas in the early morning hours. His restlessness would lead him to some unusual encounters and actions that would later become part of the complex tapestry of the Kennedy assassination aftermath.
The Mysterious ‘Impeach Earl Warren’ Sign
A Late-Night Photography Session
At around 4:30 a.m. on November 23, Ruby woke up his roommate, George Senator, and asked him to join him on a strange mission. Ruby had seen a billboard with the message “Impeach Earl Warren” and was determined to photograph it.
The Polaroid Mission
Ruby, Senator, and a Carousel Club employee named Larry Crafard drove to the sign’s location near Hall Avenue and Central Expressway in Dallas. There, Ruby instructed Crafard to take three photographs of the billboard using a Polaroid camera.
Ruby’s Obsession with the Sign
Ruby’s fixation on this sign wasn’t just a passing curiosity. He carefully noted the name and post office box number on the sign, jotting the information on the back of an envelope. This behavior suggests that Ruby saw some deeper significance in the sign’s message.
The Weissman Advertisement Connection
A Conspiracy in Ruby’s Mind
Ruby’s obsession didn’t stop with the “Impeach Earl Warren” sign. He had also become fixated on a newspaper advertisement signed by Bernard Weissman. In Ruby’s mind, these two seemingly unrelated items were somehow connected and linked to the assassination.
Ruby’s Theory
According to George Senator, Ruby was trying to understand “the whys or why these things had to be out.” It seems that Ruby was constructing his theory about the events surrounding Kennedy’s death, with these public notices playing a central role in his thinking.
Ranting About Anti-Semitism
Ruby’s Concerns About the Weissman Ad
Ruby’s focus on the Weissman advertisement had a distinctly personal angle. He expressed to others his belief that the ad was an attempt to discredit Jews. This concern about anti-Semitism became a recurring theme in Ruby’s rants during these hours.
A Visit to the Newspaper Office
Ruby’s obsession with the Weissman ad led him to visit the Dallas Times-Herald in the early morning. There, he engaged composing room employees in discussions about the advertisement and his decision to close his clubs out of respect for the assassinated president.
Ruby’s Erratic Behavior at the Newspaper Office
Emotional Discussions with Employees
At the Times-Herald, Ruby’s behavior was noticeably odd. He was described as “pretty shaken up” about the assassination while simultaneously appearing “excited” about having attended Oswald’s press conference the previous night.
The Twistboard Demonstration
In a bizarre turn of events, amid discussions of the tragic assassination, Ruby suddenly began demonstrating an exercise device called a “twistboard” to the newspaper employees. This strange juxtaposition of sorrow and frivolity further highlighted Ruby’s unstable state of mind.
Ruby’s Interactions with Others
Calls to Friends and Family
Ruby made numerous phone calls to friends, family, and business associates throughout the night and early morning. In these calls, he often expressed his distress over the assassination and criticized competitors who had not closed their clubs in respect for the president.
Visits to Local Establishments
Ruby’s restless night also included visits to local clubs and bars. At each stop, he engaged people in conversations about the assassination, often becoming emotional and expressing his sorrow for the Kennedy family.
The Carousel Club and AGVA Dispute
Ruby’s Business Concerns
Amid his emotional turmoil over the assassination, Ruby was also preoccupied with an ongoing dispute with the American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA). This dispute centered around what Ruby saw as unfair treatment compared to his competitors.
Mixing Business with Tragedy
Ruby’s ability to jump between discussing the national tragedy and his personal business grievances showcased his scattered state of mind during these hours.
Ruby’s Patriotic and Political Views
A Self-Proclaimed Democrat
While Ruby considered himself a Democrat, there’s little evidence of his political involvement. His apartment contained some political literature, but he wasn’t known to regularly campaign for candidates or discuss political issues.
Anti-Communist Sentiments
Ruby’s past included participation in disrupting German-American Bund meetings in Chicago, suggesting strong anti-fascist leanings. However, these actions seemed more motivated by his Jewish identity than by deep political convictions.
The Lead-Up to Ruby Shooting Oswald
Continuing Erratic Behavior
Ruby’s bizarre behavior continued throughout November 23 and into the early hours of November 24. He visited police headquarters multiple times, attended a synagogue service, and continued to make numerous phone calls.
The Fatal Decision
In the morning hours of November 24, Ruby made the fateful decision to go to the Dallas Police Department, where he would ultimately shoot Lee Harvey Oswald. His statement about hoping “something happened to this person” suggests he may have been contemplating action against Oswald.
A Mind in Turmoil: Understanding Ruby’s Actions
Jack Ruby’s behavior in the hours following President Kennedy’s assassination paints a picture of a man overwhelmed by events and struggling to process the tragedy. His fixation on signs and advertisements, his emotional outbursts, and his erratic actions all point to a mind in turmoil.
While Ruby’s eventual shooting of Lee Harvey Oswald would forever link him to the Kennedy assassination, his behavior in the preceding hours offers a glimpse into the complex and troubled psyche of a man about to make history most infamously.
The story of Jack Ruby reminds us how national tragedies can profoundly and unpredictably affect individuals. It also highlights the danger of allowing conspiracy theories and personal grievances to fester in times of crisis. Ruby’s descent from a distraught citizen to an assassin’s assassin is a cautionary tale about the power of unchecked emotions and misguided actions in the face of national trauma.
