After the announcement on Nov. 22, 1963, that President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, letters to Dallas’ Mayor, Earle Cabell, started pouring in. The letters ranged from sorrowful love for the city of Dallas to deep, enraged hatred toward the events that took place here. SMU’s own DeGolyer Library archives this historical treasure trove. The Daily Campus has read through the letters and will showcase some of them in a series to run three times a week leading up to the 50th anniversary of JFK’s death. These letters are verbatim, please excuse spelling and grammatical errors.
Mayor Cabell
I vow never to set foot in your city again – I have allways found Dallas a city of bear-baiters, rabell-rousers and extremists. It is unfortunate that your city nurtured these elements… the country damns you and your town
A man from Houston, TX. Nov. 24, 1963
Dear Mayor Cabell:
…The plain fact, it seems, is, the city of Dallas has been the unfortunate location for this evil grievance to commit itself. The people of Dallas suffer with the rest of our great nation. .. No one loved or respected the commander-in-chief more than the people of your town… Best wishes to the people of Dallas. Very truly yours,
A man from Baltimore, MD. Nov. 25, 1963
Your Honor:
Like all Americans, I have been shocked, disgusted and most distressed about the events which have recently taken place in Dallas.… I realize that you are not directly responsible for the despicable conduct of the citizens of Dallas, but your own conduct with regard to these matters has astonished me… Dallas should make an enormous effort to become a living example of a community where justice, respect, and compassion for all men are not just goals but are realities. For until you aspire to this, you not only defame the principles of President Kennedy but you will be shunned by all Americans as a city of infamy.
A male student from Berkeley, Berkeley, CA. Nov. 24, 1963
Mayor Cabell:
As a teen-ager to the many teen-agers in Dallas… I can understand with the up-most understanding of how you must feel. Do as the president had said many times, Be proud of you state your town, and your country, and do it with the most vitality and vigor and self-preseverance that you can muster…
A woman from Gladbrook, Iowa. Nov. 24, 1963
Mayor Cabell:
I want to express my personal disgust and disappointment over what happened today…It is a disgrace what the city of Dallas has done to the world image of the United States and Texas. I’m sure that the many great Americans living in your city will see that the necessary steps are taken thru the elective processes to change the leadership of Dallas in order that there will never be a repeat of this type administration of justice.
A man from Beaumont, TX. Nov. 24, 1963
