CURRENT THEORY - SUMMARY SCENARIO
In the Matter of the Murder of Harold Eugene Vest
on 27 Jun 1946 in Gainesville, TX

This document is strictly confidential.  It is designed to document an independent assessment of the facts and theories surrounding the death of Harold “Buddy” Eugene Vest on June 28, 1946 in order to discover the truth.  This document necessarily includes a significant amount of personal information – some of which may not be accurate – in order to analyze investigative leads.  This document and its information are not designed to impugn anyone.  Readers must understand that many of the statements in this summary are not factual, but rather are opinions, impressions and speculations based on assumptions and interpretations of existing and necessarily incomplete information.  Further, the information contained in this summary is not warranted to be accurate and we assume no responsibility for damages arising from the publication, distribution, use of, or reliance on any such information.  This document is being provided confidentially in order to further the investigation.  It is a living document, and as such remains subject to change without notice. 

GAINESVILLE, TEXAS

After his discharge at Camp Grant, Buddy traveled to Chicago for a brief visit with his family. Buddy left a pistol for his father to sell, which he later sold for $50. Buddy traveled by train to Gainesville, TX,  where he was met by his wife, son and Billy Dan and Herbert Seright, sometime before Friday, 8 Feb 1946.

The Vest family stayed with Ruth’s parents, Marion Augustus Ross Blakely¹³ and Neva Genoa Kilcrease Blakely,¹⁴ in Henrietta, about 60 miles west of Gainesville until sometime around Friday, March 15, when Buddy rented a shop for his cabinet-making business.

The family rented a room at a boarding house on the south side of California St., about a block west of the cabinet shop, which was located on the north side at 805 California Street. The shop was rented and Buddy purchased used woodworking equipment. The business was extremely modest and was financed with funds saved from Buddy’s mustering out pay and Ruth’s dependent’s allotment. (The known sources of the family’s funds appear to reconcile nicely with the known uses.) The business began operations shortly after 15 Mar.

On 1 Apr 1946, a help-wanted ad appeared in the Gainesville Register. Reece Lance, a 13-year-old boy was hired to work after school. Reece’s dad had recently vacated the building where the cabinet shop was located, in which he operated his automotive body repair business

In Gainesville, Buddy joined the Rotary Club and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. In late May, he appeared in a benefit play performed by members of the Rotary.