In the weeks leading up to President Kennedy’s fateful trip to Dallas on November 22, 1963, a curious and controversial billboard appeared on the streets of the city. This billboard, which called for the impeachment of Supreme Court Chief Justice Earl Warren, caught the attention of a key figure in the JFK assassination saga – Jack Ruby.
The “Impeach Earl Warren” Billboard
According to the Warren Commission report, the “Impeach Earl Warren” billboard was erected near Hall Avenue and Central Expressway in Dallas. The billboard featured a large photograph of Chief Justice Warren along with inflammatory text accusing him of various misdeeds.
Interestingly, the billboard was the creation of a group calling itself the “American Fact-Finding Committee” – a completely fictitious organization invented solely for the purpose of this advertisement. The true masterminds behind the billboard were a trio of right-wing activists – Bernard Weissman, William Burley, and Larrie Schmidt – who had previously hatched a plan to infiltrate and take over various conservative organizations.
Jack Ruby’s Curious Reaction
In the early hours of Saturday, November 23rd, just one day after the assassination, Jack Ruby became fixated on this “Impeach Earl Warren” billboard. According to the report, Ruby drove to the location of the billboard, accompanied by his roommate George Senator and employee Larry Crafard.
Ruby instructed Crafard to take three photographs of the billboard, seemingly intent on uncovering any potential connection between it and the events of the previous day. Ruby then drove to the nearby post office, attempting to determine the identity of the individual who had rented the post office box listed on the billboard, but was unsuccessful in obtaining this information.
Afterwards, Ruby continued to discuss the billboard and the earlier Bernard Weissman newspaper advertisement, which he believed were somehow linked to the assassination. Ruby speculated that the billboard and advertisement were “the work of the John Birch Society or the Communist Party or maybe a combination of both.”
Potential Right-Wing Involvement
The Warren Commission’s investigation into the “Impeach Earl Warren” billboard and its creators revealed some intriguing details. The three men behind the billboard – Weissman, Burley, and Schmidt – had previously hatched a plan while serving together in the U.S. Army in Munich, Germany to infiltrate and take over various right-wing organizations.
Their goal was to “unite” these disparate conservative groups under a single entity called “Conservatism-USA” or “CUSA.” To this end, the trio had become involved with several right-wing organizations in Dallas, including the John Birch Society.
The Commission found no direct evidence linking the “Impeach Earl Warren” billboard or its creators to the assassination of President Kennedy. However, the report does note that the billboard’s appearance, along with the earlier Weissman newspaper advertisement, raised concerns about potential connections to right-wing groups that were openly hostile to the Kennedy administration.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Oswald’s Roommate
Another curious aspect of the JFK assassination saga that has fueled speculation is the sudden departure of Lee Harvey Oswald’s roommate, Larry Crafard, from Dallas shortly after the events of November 22nd.
Crafard, who had been working for Jack Ruby at the Carousel Club, abruptly left the city on the morning of November 23rd, hitchhiking to Michigan with only $7 in his pocket. While the Commission’s investigation found no evidence of Crafard’s involvement in a conspiracy, his hasty exit and subsequent silence have led some to wonder if he knew more than he let on.
Conclusion: Unanswered Questions and Lingering Suspicions
The “Impeach Earl Warren” billboard and Jack Ruby’s fixation on it in the aftermath of the JFK assassination have continued to fuel conspiracy theories and speculation. While the Warren Commission found no direct link between the billboard and the assassination, the report acknowledges the concerns raised by its appearance and the right-wing political activities of those behind it.
Similarly, the mysterious disappearance of Oswald’s roommate, Larry Crafard, has added to the air of mystery and unanswered questions surrounding the events of November 1963. Though the Commission’s investigation cleared Crafard of any wrongdoing, his abrupt departure from Dallas and subsequent silence have left some wondering if there was more to the story.
Ultimately, the JFK assassination remains one of the most heavily scrutinized and debated events in American history. The “Impeach Earl Warren” billboard and the actions of figures like Jack Ruby and Larry Crafard continue to captivate the public’s imagination, serving as reminders that even decades later, there are still unanswered questions and lingering suspicions surrounding this tragic chapter in our nation’s history.
