Earle Cabell facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Earle Cabell
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 5th district |
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| In office January 3, 1965 – January 3, 1973 |
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| Preceded by | Bruce Reynolds Alger |
| Succeeded by | Alan Steelman |
| 48th Mayor of Dallas | |
| In office May 1, 1961 – February 3, 1964 |
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| Preceded by | Robert L. Thornton |
| Succeeded by | J. Erik Jonsson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 27, 1906 Dallas County, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | September 24, 1975 (aged 68) Dallas, Texas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse |
Elizabeth “Dearie” Holder
(m. 1932) |
| Children | 2 |
| Parents | Ben E. Cabell Sadie E. Pearre |
| Relatives | William L. Cabell (grandfather) Charles P. Cabell (brother) |
| Alma mater | Texas A&M University Southern Methodist University |
| Occupation | Politician |
Earle Cabell (born October 27, 1906 – died September 24, 1975) was an important Texas politician. He served as the mayor of Dallas, Texas. Cabell was mayor when United States President John F. Kennedy was assassinated. Later, he became a member of the U.S. House of Representatives.
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Early Life and Family
Earle Cabell was born in Dallas, Texas. He finished high school at North Dallas High School in 1925. He briefly attended Texas A&M University and then Southern Methodist University.
Earle and his brothers started a business called Cabell's Inc. This company owned a chain of dairies and convenience stores. Later, he also worked in banking and other investments.
His Political Family
Earle Cabell came from a family involved in politics. He was the youngest of four sons. His father, Ben E. Cabell, had also been a mayor of Dallas. His grandfather, William L. Cabell, was also a former Dallas mayor. Earle's brother, Charles Cabell, worked for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Mayor of Dallas
In April 1961, Earle Cabell was elected mayor of Dallas. He took over from Robert L. Thornton. He served as mayor until February 1964.
During the Kennedy Assassination
On November 22, 1963, Mayor Cabell and his wife met President John F. Kennedy and his wife, Jackie Kennedy. They met at Dallas Love Field. While riding in the President's motorcade through Dealey Plaza, Cabell's wife noticed something unusual. She saw something sticking out of a window of the Texas School Book Depository right after the first shot.
After the assassination, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) told Mayor Cabell that he had received a threat. Because of this, police guarded him when he traveled to Washington, D.C. for Kennedy's funeral. They also guarded him when he returned to Dallas.
Serving in Congress
On February 3, 1964, Cabell stepped down as mayor of Dallas. He decided to run for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He won the election, defeating the current Republican representative, Bruce Alger.
Earle Cabell served four terms in the House of Representatives. During his time in Congress, he voted for important laws. He supported the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This law helped protect the right to vote for all citizens. He also voted for the Civil Rights Act of 1968. This law worked to end discrimination in housing.
In the 1972 election, Cabell lost his seat to Republican Alan Steelman.
Later Life and Legacy
After leaving Congress, Earle Cabell retired in Dallas. He lived there until his death in 1975. He passed away from emphysema, a lung condition. He was buried at Restland Cemetery in Dallas.
Today, the Earle Cabell Federal Building and Courthouse in Dallas is named in his honor.
