Letter from editor Felix McKnight to staff of the Dallas Times Herald

Object number1996.003.0001

Date11/22/1963

ClassificationsDocuments

Author Felix McKnight

ObjectLetter

Credit LineJohn Schoellkopf Collection/The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza

MediumPaper

Dimensions8 1/2 x 5 1/2 in. (21.6 x 14 cm)

Terms

DescriptionLetter written by editor Felix McKnight to his staff at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper at the end of the day on Friday, November 22, 1963. The letter is typed on personal stationery with blue and orange borders and the name "Felix R. McKnight" printed in the top left corner, signed in blue ink. Full text of the letter: "Nov. 22 To The Staff: Today you performed superbly. No other newspaper in this country could have done a better job within the severe time limitations. All of you took difficult assignments and came through without faltering. It is a sad day. I do not know what to say to you, except that there should be no pride in a story such as this...except for the professional manner in which you labored with the same feeling of numbness that I had. We must handle this story with the best of taste the next few days. We are sort of on trial because it happened in our city. Thank you for being the wonderful people you are. Felix McKnight (signature)"

Curatorial Commentary

This unique artifact has been featured in two temporary exhibits at The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: "Covering Chaos" (June 2005 to January 2006) and "A Photographer's Story: Bob Jackson and the Kennedy Assassination" (February 2009 to October 2010). - Stephen Fagin, Curator