Erma Winfrey, who died in Jonestown on November 18, 1978, had been a member of Peoples Temple for almost six years, having joined in late 1972 or early 1973 in Redwood Valley, California. Prior to life in the Temple, she had been a member of a religious group called the WKFL Fountain of the World, located in Simi Valley, California, a group that effectively ended when its leader, Krishna Venta, was killed by disaffected members in a suicide attack in 1958.
At some point during the intervening 14 years, Erma befriended a family with whom she remained in correspondence for most of her life in the Temple, even after the contact was discouraged. The letters discuss various aspects of her life, her feelings about Jim Jones and life at Peoples Temple. There are no letters from Guyana in this collection. One member of this family has transcribed the text of these letters, with the condition that the family remain anonymous.
The letters appear below. They have been transcribed as accurately as possible from her original handwritten letters, including dates and addresses whenever she provided them or from the original envelopes that still remained with the letters over the years. Erma’s original spelling throughout the letters has been retained.
The letters have been lightly edited, in one case deleting a section containing personal information about the recipient’s family, and in several other letters to insert paragraph breaks.
Whenever a word can’t be deciphered, a notation of “illegible” has been inserted to indicate this. Hopefully readers will be able to gain insight into her mindset about Jim Jones from her letters. They are a fascinating piece of history which is often not available to researchers, because most people tend to throw away letters after they read them. The transcriber’s mother, who was the main person in the family who corresponded with friends, was sentimental and often held on to letters for years. We can be thankful that she did!
For younger readers, keep in mind that these letters are from the pre-internet, pre-email, pre-computer era. Postal mail was the main way that many people kept in contact with friends and relatives. Phone calls could be expensive back then, so letter writing was an important way to keep in touch.
Ahead of the text of each letter are the transcriber’s observations about some of her letters. As she writes, “I haven’t tried to analyze or dissect each line of each letter. It’s mainly to give readers some context and background for some of her references that would otherwise be confusing, and to point out some of her remarks that I found of particular interest or concern.”
- Letter from May 1969 from Melvern, Kansas
- Letter dated May 27, 1969 sent from Melvern, Kansas
- Letter dated July 10, 1969 sent from Melvern, Kansas
- Letter likely from 1969
- Letter dated April 30, 1973
- Letter sent from Redwood Valley, dated August 13,1973
- Short undated note
- Letter likely from March 1974
- Letter of June 24, 1974
- Letter of July 19, 1974
- Christmas card, likely from 1974
- Letter dated March 4, 1975
- Letter likely from late 1975 or early 1976
- Letter dated December 16, 1976
- Letter of December 17, 1976
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Letter from May 1969 from Melvern, Kansas
Transcriber’s note: This is the earliest letter from her in this collection. She was living with her mother in 1969 and had not yet become affiliated with Peoples Temple. For clarification, this letter mentions people from her past affiliation with the religious group known as WKFL Fountain of the World. The names mentioned – Sister Elesha, Virginia, C. Nekona (Cardinal Nekona who was the leader of the Fountain after 1958), were friends of Erma’s from the Fountain for many years that she continued to stay in touch with.
Her reference to the “disaster” refers to the bombing that occurred at the Fountain in 1958, where Krishna Venta and 10 others were killed. Erma herself was badly injured in the explosion. This letter illustrates the fact that she thought of Krishna Venta (or “Master” as he was also known by the adherents of the Fountain of the World), as The Christ or a God-like person, just as she would view Jim Jones in the future.
Her letter also mentions that she believed in reincarnation (as did Jim Jones), and her continuing interest in spiritual concepts through her contact with former Fountain members such as “Sister Walli” who had relocated to Mt. Shasta, California where she started a “New Age” religion publishing group.
Erma’s closing remark of “Sianata” is a word that Fountain members used, probably similar to saying “Sayanara” (goodbye). I do not know why the Fountain members used that word or where it originated within the group. Groups like this tend to create their own alternative language or specialized wording that means something only to the other group members.
This letter has been edited to include paragraph breaks.
My Dearest,
Darling how are you and your family? This morning I got a letter from Sister Elesha telling me that Virginia had passed (reincarnated). it was sad to me, you know the last time I was in Calif she invited me to spend some time with her and I did, on my way to Shasta. We had a glorious time, she had such a nice comfortable apartment, gave me her bedroom, took me out to a lovely dinner and then we shopped around at the stores in Oakland.
Darling, I do not know whether you met Master or not, been so long ago and so much has happened. But I want to say something like this to you. If I may. Master Krishna Venta was a great teacher and He was greatly misunderstood. He, being who He was, was persecuted on every side. It was revealed to me while He was with me, while in the flesh, he was the Christ. A certain condition happened in the Fountain and I cried out to God, Oh why cannot I know the reason for this, so the answer came. Because of some very serious prayers and petitions to God the Father first sent Him to a group of people that were praying for a great teacher. After He came to them, and taught them, He did not teach or accept the offers they made Him so after a time certain ones of that group separated themselves. I was going to His lectures at the time. They were people some of them with money, positions, etc. but those things had no bearing on Master, but they did accept Him as “The Christ” and would have supported many of the plans Master had if He would have listened.
Master gave up the first place that was started and then another was started the WKF of the World. I was not as close to Master as some were first because my simple type of work required me to be away from much of His close teaching, but so many of them have been revealed to me since the disaster. I am still very grateful of all I learned, which was not too much but it was my fault.
Now today with as little as I have I would give it for one or trade it for one millon dollars. It means just that much to me. Through Sister Walli I have met, through open letters and writing several Great Master Teachers. Teaching the same thing only much higher wisdom than Master had the opportunity to teach us I think those that were the closest to Him most that were taken in disaster had the higher wisdom. This is so wonderful and this day or the times we are living now is great. Master told us in 1947 about these very conditions that are happening and those that have been happening every bit of it but we would say Oh how could this be, but it Is. We are truly living in the last days and we are going through a Universal Change and you know this as well as I.
We are unable to understand many things, but only thing I would like to say to you is this. Do not condemn anything, it all had to come to pass and must come to pass for a cleansing. It is a battle in the mind, as well as physical. A battle between negative and positive, spirit, right and wrong.
My open letters and brochures say not to worry, be joyful, be at peace and praise. We say how can we with so much going on. But keep our own mind and heart at peace and it takes a lot of hard work and you want to cry often, but all these things that are happening mankind has brought upon himself. Our thoughts can wreck us and wreck us and many put together can wreck all mankind, as we can see it has nearly done just that. Something else I have learned through reading, our willpower is stronger than our physical body, it can wear really wear the old body of flesh out if we are not pretty careful.
My letter may sound pretty silly to you, and you may not care to answer it now, as it won’t really make sense. But listen, Darling, it won’t be many months until you can see more sense in it. Whenever you do and feel like it. I would love to hear from you. How is your daughter that’s married and family, also your young lady at home and your husband. You know the talk you gave at the Banquet that night was very inspiring to me and it meant a lot to me. Through some silent teaching from the universal and the cosmic laws of which my understanding is very limited you will be a great help and a great teacher for God. I believe your husband is very kind and understanding man, please do not question me for saying this as I do not know myself.
My mother that I am with is 92 yrs has a good mind, sews quilts, knits rugs and makes some drawn rugs, she sees very well, can write real good poetry all these things she does and I am not able to do any of this as I really do not know how. I know to have loss of our beloved Sister Virginia has left a very vacant space in your heart, she really loved you and she talked so very much about you to me. She was a young woman that master K.V. thought very much of and I know her work is not completed, Life is Everlasting.
May I say Sianata, and I love all of you very much.
Erma Winfrey
PO Box 144
Melvern, KS 66510
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Letter dated May 27, 1969 sent from Melvern, Kansas
Transcriber’s note: This letter shows that the Fountain and “Master Krishna Venta” is still very much in the forefront of Erma’s mind in 1969 (before her Peoples Temple involvement). She describes feeling some sort of “pressure” which she doesn’t explain, but perhaps she was feeling depressed living with her aging mother in Kansas, far from her California friends. She discusses cooking, keeping the house clean, doing laundry, etc. but she’s alone in her feelings about Krishna Venta, saying that others would not understand and there’s no one to talk to about it. She probably was feeling disconnected from the ideas and concepts that meant a lot to her, with no one in Kansas who could understand.
She specifically mentions that she and her mother are the only Black people in the town, so this was probably also bothering her or making her lonely.
She speaks of the “accident,” which is yet another reference to the bombing at the Fountain. It’s interesting that she uses vague phrases like “accident” or “disaster” instead of bombing. She clearly wants to avoid using the word “bomb.” It was probably too painful emotionally for her to use the actual word. While it’s true that she was accidentally burned/wounded during the bombing, the bombing itself was not an accident, but a deliberate criminal attack in 1958.
My beloved Sister and Family,
Greetings to you this 12 noon day. Darling I want to thank you ten million times that the Father directed you to write me. Yes, as soon as Elesha got your letter, she sat right down and wrote me. Also in the letter she wrote she mentioned Sister Babs little son (Master named King Thacbah), little K.T. he passed rather quickly, he was a beautiful soul when young and I knew him and seemingly he left a most wonderful vibration, one that won’t be forgotten soon, Babs said he was just perfection in all did or done. We have not the understanding of these things but seems to me, Master is gathering His jewels. P. Wilbur, B. Lida, Sister Alice, there are beautiful lessons to be remembered from Each One, some had different lessons to learn, as Each One of us are on certain levels of understanding.
Darling, now this letter may not prove to be important but I am going to ask one favor to you and I mean this very humbly. After I had read a few lessons I was so directed to write but everything happened, I just could not even get breakfast. An elderly lady called me and talked for about ten minutes not complaining understand, then in about fifteen or so minutes, one of our use to be neighbors came in that we used to visit when on the farm. We are the only Black people near or in the community and no more within 30 or 35 miles in a small town called Ottawa KS. Maybe in these lines on this paper maybe an answer to something will be revealed to you. First, sure it was a shock to me to hear about precious Virginia, about two years ago she sent me a beautiful picture of herself and then after she went to L.A. she wrote me several short letters. I had not the complete understanding of her mission, it was a Great One. In January mailed on 31 in a.m. I think I got a three page type written lecture, I mean letter. I kept it, she explained many things to me and then I knew, but some of the testings she had some in the Fountain, she told me, just before she left I wrote her and said this: Darling, I know these things are true, and they needed to know and have an understanding, but do you have realize what you are going to have to go through because of this, now I did not write to her until about a month or six weeks after she wrote me, as I have had very very very severe pressure for many months, started in Nov. or December and I have not been able to collect my thoughts. My greatest problem is this, I did not stop at the time I am directed and do Masters work. I procrastinate and that is not good. This morning I went out to finish mowing my yard it needs it so very very much, but I just to stop mowing and come in to write, we have had so much rain this spring, weeds and grass has just got a head start. But I had to stop, so here I am writing with you. I hope you can read this, I think so fast when I do think, I do not make sense in writing and you can hardly read it. I ask for a typewriter about five years ago and through the Lord Himself I got a good one, old but in perfect condition. I have not taken lessons but I was for awhile where could do just real good but I put it aside,
My trouble is this, I am a perfectionist or try to be in the material and the exact same way as for as I know, in the Spiritual but I put the material first. Darling this will operate ok on the simple or lower level of spiritual understanding, but as God gives us we must find some way or somehow to give out (All Is Removed from You) I have learned, so listen what happened to me all I have been able to do is the very necessary things in life each day. Oh God is so good I thank Him, thank Him. I can sew a little, got where I could not sew, if I would start I would get sorta sick like. I kept our cooking done, kept the house comparatively clean, laundry done and a nice clean bed to sleep in. I could not think. I could not cry and my heart was breaking inside. No one to explain these things to that would understand. Master told me once, Erma a lot of your work will be done in writing. He told me this verbally speaking to me several years before the accident. But we just don’t understand the meaning of all things especially at their time. Whoever thought we were going to meet the Christ, just think of it?? So we slept and groveled in our own ego, hate, not very satisfied with this or that until, well you know what happened. Now listen! How beautiful it is you and your husband met, recognized and believed all at the same time. Yes, all of us that met Master believed, walked, talked and even touched Him, was a great privilege.
Darling, no you will probably never gain in finances as you once had, I am sure of that, but do not fear one minute about that to turn from the love you have for Master, or what He has for you, those can be very heartbreaking moments if you do. The time has come now nothing else matters, but the very Truth and Christ way of Life, I mean nothing, we walked close to Master hundreds of years ago and had a chance, just think we were privileged to walk again now. Oh, how beautiful and right along with this beauty how sad at times. Yes, cleansing in what we are hearing everywhere in one way or another and its real, we must come to the perfection way as best we can, while in this physical vehicle and then we can still complete our work on another plane. Master taught reincarnation, do you believe in it, I DO. But I read some very fine lessons from other precious Ones Of Light, Masters and ascended Masters the lessons on this plane is so fast for some they go higher but do not take another physical body but they are where they can still teach through Universal, we are all One and in the Oneness of All now I am not going to try to talk on this, its all made very clear to me in my mind, but not enough to give out. I love you and your dear family and I am so grateful to have this opportunity to visit with you. When Christi brought me to your house that day, she said Erma I do not know why, but Master told me to take you. I often wondered about this. But I was indeed very joyful for it. I do not want to repeat anything I have written if so forgive me.
I got a magazine from Jabin, Elesha’s husband in Colorado this a.m. An article on flowers and their reaction about things, done and said by people. I had heard a little of it on T.V. several times. He was, Jabin, I mean, was a very close follower of Master for awhile and he was privileged to help once in. S. Calif and he really went all out but he left just, just had to be on his own as a Dr. and he is rather mixed up in some ways and has a pretty hard way, now I am not putting this just right but he is very unhappy mentally. I hope you can understand what I am trying to say. We did not correspond very regular, but after I got under the pressure deal I quit writing, he wrote me several letters and a card or so and I have not written, so this morning I got the magazine. Darling, if I ever come to Cal. again I want to visit with you, somehow I feel, we have much to talk about, that sounds rather flattering on my part, but I do not mean it quite like it sounds. Guess Walli will be home in Shasta real soon, she was directed to go and spend a month and then return. I wanted her to come and make a stop over with me, but she felt she could not this time. I did not insist because I knew deep within me, she was on a real mission. I know you have read her three “books”. She helped out little Dear One over a struggle she was having about Master once. She wrote, I mean Virginia, and ask me to save my money and that she and I would go to India and find Master. I wrote and explained to her to the best of my ability and then she visited Sister Walli and she made things clear to her, as she never said anything more to me, only said Erma, i was so glad to visit with Walli that time. Oh how wonderful Master is to us – I was deeply grateful when you said you were going to make a pilgrimage to the Fountain. Oh, it won’t be the same. The last time I was there something touched me so deeply inside, I said, I just don’t think I want to go there again. Somehow, something hurt me, and I cannot say what it was. I just don’t know. But the real True spirit, I used to know was not there. My heart ached for C. Nekona and yet I know problems she was forced to face was not always faced as they should be but she did do and is doing the best she knows under the present conditions and how she stands up under the pressue she does is a miracle to me.
I must get busy and get lunch, Mother won’t cook and its past time for me to get busy. The change in the weather has really been something this year. But only as we can comprehend Gods Universal will we be able to grasp things only a little I am so grateful for the little things. I am so glad to learn that your daughter’s husband will be home soon, yes war is an awful thing and our hearts break, but guess you and I have been on the battlefield, in some of our lifetimes. Reincarnation, several articles have been in the papers here of late about young men being possessed with the idea of doing women’s work such as fancy work and many other feminine things and they were discouraged and became users of liquor and dope. One sister to this brother write in and ask “Abbey” would it not been better to allow him to use his talents in that respect than to turn to doing the things he did. I know a man who does crocheting, bedspreads, just beautiful and he does man’s labors also. Then I have a friend who has a cousin or an uncle who pieces the most beautiful quilts and quilts, the most beautiful fancy work. So Master told us about reincarnation this answers many questions about geniuses probably mispelled but you know what i mean. This is a badly mixed up letter but maybe you can make it out. I mean well even if I do not get it written down. The phone rang and the lady talked for quite some time and I missed my thought. I am sure your daughter has a mission and do you know until its made clear to them through some revelation, the responsibility is on your shoulders for an understanding to help them now and its a big job. But knowing these things as you do, and more is being revealed to you each day, in some way and through someone. You will make it.
Did you say you are teaching school? If you are, you surely have many intelligences to deal with, and you are exhausted when you reach home. May I say again and again for your lovely letter and someday I want you to have the opportunity to read this letter I received from Virginia, which I will always treasure. Knowing that she had a task, and Oh so few understand it. This last letter I have made me know and only a small part in a small way. May God continue to bless you and your immediate family and your darling daughter and husband whom you will soon see i hope.
Sianata,
Erma
************************************************************************ Letter dated July 10, 1969 from Melvern, Kansas, July 10, 1969
Erma discusses her daily life, sewing her elderly mother a dress and other general news, saying that she had a visit in 1966 from a former Fountain member. Did this visit happen there in Kansas? It’s unknown. Her timeline is difficult to trace from the point where she departed the Fountain some time in the 60’s.
Again, in this letter, the Fountain is still very much a part of her life and memories, even though she is living in Kansas. This letter is still pre-Peoples Temple involvement.
Darling,
I am thinking of you for two or three days. How are you and your family? Did you get the last material I sent you? Its been over three weeks now so I am a little concerned about you and family. Has your daughter and husband come home and are you on vacation. I wish something would just lead you this way for a few days or a week, Kansas is a beautiful state. Have you been too busy to drop by Fountain yet? I have “nose trouble” today, Just what are you doing? I have just had lunch, I am full and a little tired. I have been repairing a dress for my mother. I have it ready to sew but its so warm she does not want to try it on now. I do not want to stitch it until she tries it on. I have a piece of material I bought to make her a real new dress last week. She likes these bright colors at 91 years young mind you. About three years or so ago I got the most beautiful blue and white check for her a dress so last year, she brought it to me and said, this pretty, you make you a dress. I said, you know I cannot make a complete dress for me. I can make one over but not from the start. I am never happy with it. So she said well, I don’t want this I like those pretty bright colors. I just teased her and took it, I made three dresses out of it for my little nieces and got a piece left, I am going to send you a picture to see my mother. Do you remember Erika that had the Nursery at the Fountain, well in 1966 June 27 she came and stayed a week with us so she took these pictures. Mother still looks the same. She is not quite so well as she has many weak spells at times and causes her a great deal of discomfort. It usually comes in the morning and lasts at least two hours and sometimes until noon. Today it lasted up to now and its 4:15pm. I must hurry in order to get this mailed. If your vacation comes any way close to Kansas be sure and come and see us won’t you. May I hear just a small letter to know how you are. Love you much,
Erma
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Transcriber’s note: This letter references a person named Virginia, who was a close friend from the Fountain of the World who had died that year. This is still pre-Peoples Temple.
Erma again expresses how difficult it is to “confide” in anyone about Master Krishna Venta and various religious concepts. people. Her remarks illustrate how lonely she was for this connection, for someone she could feel close to as she had in the past with Venta and the Fountain. She’s still focused on Fountain members, thoughts and ideas.
My Dearest,
I was so grateful to get your note yesterday and know you have been a very busy little girl. I hope you and I may be very close and maybe we can share a few spiritual thoughts together. As you know, we are living in the last days before a Great New Era is coming in, this is not worded as it should be, but you do understand what I am trying to make clear. I want to share the last letter I received from Sister Virginia with you, it’s quite dear to me. I also have a very late picture of her she sent me for Christmas a year ago this past. Darling, you know its very hard to confide in anyone and they believe on Master. We walk alone with a closed mind as far as having someone to share with in that respect. He truly was the Dear One to awaken those few he could reach. I am so grateful, just cannot help but say it. But the most important part is to live that which you believe in and was taught. I am trying but it is difficult sometimes. I am sharing a few lessons with you I have been getting from Brother Jo’al. precious Sister Walli send my name in and His lessons are so great and right to the point, He is writing a book but sends it only in lesson form as you want it you can send a little donation, whatever ones heart can direct that is the way I do, as I have very small amount of monies to spend. If you like this, I would love to send you my lessons to read, to see if they would interest you. They are a little soiled as I read them very often. Our Virginia had no one to share her thoughts with as her mother was very much against the things she knew I tried to teach. She had to go to a “fashion show” the day I left there, her Mother was going for a Bridge Club or something, and she said Erma, how I love these things but I have to go. I can understand how she labored and was very dedicated to what she was doing for Master. I remember her telling me that Master told Walli, to keep her clothes, not to use them, as Christi had a job to do for Him someday. Christi told me this so her things were kept in her very own suitcase until she left. I know her car was a “treasure house” as she showed me some of the things she had stored in it, and there will be many eyes opened as to the teaching of Master. I am trying to think of a scripture Paul wrote in New Testament, well, I cannot recall it now. I will bring this to a close and give you a breathing spell. You did not tell me what you are going to about the things you were to do for Virginia. Something I would love to have if you do share in helping. You wrote a “poem or two” she showed me. I would love to have one of them or a drawing or something, it was so much that night we tried to push in with time so short. But so much of her conversation was once she loved you dearly – this I know. She started a book on Master and the teaching He gave, I wonder what will happen to this?? Don’t wreck your brain trying to figure out why I am writing, don’t know that I know myself, but if you will allow the spirit to guide you, simply won’t go wrong. This is the most beautiful writing and printing you do, I love it. It is Great, so perfect. Love to your Husband and daughter. I wish I could see you and talk to both of you. Somehow you feel very near me —
Much love and the kindest of thoughts for your and yours,
Erma
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Transcriber’s note: This is the first letter win which Erma mentions Peoples Temple. I suspect she may have been affiliated earlier because there’s a brochure from 1972 in this collection that she sent, so that might be the earliest year of her affiliation.
She mentions David and Gladys Smith, who were former Fountain members who also died in Jonestown. She clearly was in touch with them and verifies that they relocated to Redwood City. Therefore, this letter is valuable to help pinpoint the Smith’s official relocation year to the Bay area related to Peoples Temple. I think it’s probable that Erma was the one who contacted David and Gladys first about joining Peoples Temple, because she was already living in Redwood City prior to David and Gladys moving there from Colorado.
Erma makes reference to “Sananda” and “Kothumie.” For clarification, these are words that denote some type of cosmic, spiritual entities or evolved metaphysical “Masters” that had become fashionable descriptions among various “New Age” spiritual groups of that era. It’s important to point this out to readers, because it shows that Erma had circulated somewhat in those groups after she departed the Fountain of the World and was reading their literature. She had a very strong and continuing interest in spiritual ideas and seeking higher metaphysical truths.
In this letter, she’s fully involved with Peoples Temple, traveling on the buses to various locations, and mentions that land has been purchased in some “South American” country. It’s important to note that she doesn’t reveal the name of the country. We know that Jones told his followers not to give that information to friends and family and she’s obviously obeying that “rule.”
This letter begins the pattern of her constant extolling of the virtues of Jim Jones and the Temple, saying that they have educated people in the group from higher professional levels and so forth.
A primary feature of her letters is her belief that Jones was healing people of cancer and other diseases, and she often devotes many remarks to this element of his ministry. The “faith healing ” component comes up again and again in her letters. My family was surprised by how deceived she was by these obvious hoaxes perpetrated by Jim Jones. She had never previously expressed a belief in this type of “miracle healing” nor was it a feature of what went on at the Fountain.
April 30,1973
My Dearest,
Greetings and love to you, and I must say, you folks have been in my thoughts, and then that same old daily [illegible word]. How are you, what are you doing etc. Do you have any other pet to take little Binkie’s place.
Remember, don’t think because you are in New Mexico you are not still a part of me because you are.
Things are moving very rapdily up here, truly it’s a new day and all things are different. David and Gladys and kids have all moved up here, been here around 6 weeks I believe. It’s the greatest movement on Earth today, the reason for many saying this Pastor Jim Jones gives every ounce of himself for the cause of People. Everything is People’s Temple, the Pastor’s three Temples, one in S. Fr. CA, one in L.A. CA all “People’s Temples” and the Mother Temple in Redwood Valley Membership of about 8 or 10 thousand.
Well, darlings, you know me, I was sandwiched between (Krishna Venta), now Sananda then between Sananda and Kathumie, boy and what a sandwich. But listen silently no condemning, and with Jim’s Love He allowed me and myself to battle that out and He said nothing. He worked through my mind, and Universal mind spirit took over. Really it’s such a long story but briefly I will try and make it plain.
A vision of the most beautiful trough made out of gorgeous wood done so perfectly you could see the grain in the wood and the trough filled with crystal clear water just like sparkling diamonds it was so clear, Down in this trough was two beautiful perfect green peppers same size and they were so shiney as if they were [illegible word].
A voice said to me, Erma there are Great, Greater and Greatest and Jim is the greatest. I said thank you Father and rejoiced and I have felt free ever since. But Jim Jones can heal any disease, all kinds of cancers, in throat or any place in the body. I have seen them passed with my two eyes. I saw an old lady came to the meeting in a wheelchair a broken leg near ankle on (unknown word, looks like Sat. might be Saturday?) It was in a cast. Her daughter brought her to the Temple in L.A. She said in her own mind thought if I had a hammer I would break this cast and I know Jim could heal me. She did not speak this audibly so he called her name out of the crowd and told what her thoughts were, called the nurses to cut the cast off and she got up and walked with only a little help to start and then she walked alone. I saw this. About three months or so after this, she had pneumonia was not expected to live, was in the hospital general in L.A., her daughter called Jim at 2 a.m. and he healed her and she was in the meeting the last two or three times and she is in her 80s or 90s yrs. But He has through the Minister done so much for all people mostly the poor, middle class and Black and minority groups of people. He helps in every situation.
I am really sorry you folks left this state in a way, much is being done. He and the wife are highly educated. She is a public inspector of all the rest homes nursing homes and I don’t know what else, she drives over 300 miles each day to do her work. They have adopted 8 children of different races, babies, of course now they are teenagers. Her little black boy is Jim Jr. after His dad. I do some letter writing for the church, I also help a little in the office, our new printing press and office, I write articles out to be (unknown word) of all “Time” “Newsweek” Geographical magazines, this I spent four and five hours on Thursday. I help in many ways and I am grateful to be a part.
Some time in May we will have a big picnic on the Fountain grounds, or at least that is the plan now. Darling, now tell me how your daughter and family are, your parents, also you and your family. I know when I last heard from you you were completely mentally exhausted as well as physically. I do get pretty tired as (12 or 11) Greyhound type buses travel from Redwood Valley to S. Fr. to L.A. every other week and our meetings hold very late as so much is done in them.
Now, I say something with authority. Jim is God Personified. He is Universal Mind and Power, there is no mistake about this. I know. I can hear and I can feel.
I want to hear from you and I want to know all about your home in New Mexico and how you like it. How does your hubby like his position, only one thing I want to say is I wish you were nearer, nearer, nearer. What goes on with Bro. Wayne Taylor.
Darling so very very much is going on here now, our Churches have taught us a lot of things which are not really true. And too the Bible has a lot of mistakes in it. As we think and study on it we know ourselves so much could not be real. But we read and take most things literal. Master K. told us that.
I am grateful I met Jim Jones. He was directed here through Revelation in this Valley. There is a cave where people can be protected, this Revelation was given to Him before He came here. No one knows about this but He and a few of the members. As it has been supplied with food, oxygen equipment for sick people and many other things He won’t tell us about.
He is sending three people as missionaries which leave shortly for some country I do not know where, to purchase land and to build on. Here we have a complete new newspaper outfit for everything to make all sorts of handbills, folders and just everything
Bro. John at the Fountain with C. Nekona has given a home to 50 or 60 Indians that used to live in Simi Valley and they made them leave for what reason I know not.
Let me know the news about your health and all. I am so anxious right now. I love you all very deeply. and we travel at least 15 or 16 hundred miles every other week, can you believe this. Leave Fri. nite about 5 or 5:15 and back about 5:30 or 6 am on Monday.
Erma M. Winfrey
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Letter sent from Redwood Valley, dated August 13,1973
Transcriber’s note: The reference in this letter to Redwood City is in error. Rather this letter indicates that Erma Winfrey had been in Redwood Valley for a year, from the previous September.
In this letter Erma is more and more enthralled with Jones. She now says he is “God personified.” She adds:
no, I am not crazy.
Clearly, she was concerned that other people might think she was crazy due to her involvement with Peoples Temple. It makes me wonder if her friends or loved ones outside the Temple were indeed telling her that they thought she’d gone crazy or lost her mind. So, that was a sad comment and rather concerning.
A recurring theme that she tends to repeat throughout these letters is how many “educated” people are part of Peoples Temple. Doctors, lawyers, teachers, powerful people, etc. She seems intent on impressing our family with some sort of prestige element of this group, as if that would make Jim Jones or this group acceptable to our family simply because “higher ups” were involved.
In my opinion, it shows how insecure she was, constantly focused on the educational level of these people or their high rank in society. This is clearly an aspect of Peoples Temple that she thought would justify her involvement or impress us enough that we would also get involved. But our family has never been impressed by someone’s educational attainments. We knew that there’s people with advanced degrees who have poor character and aren’t good people. So, it didn’t impress us or persuade us about Peoples Temple.
In her handwritten letters, it’s interesting to note how she always, without fail, capitalizes the “H” in “He,” as if Jones is God or Jesus. The transcription reflects this aspect of her writing. By doing this, she’s equating Jones with Jesus. She has elevated Jones to the ultimate level.
In dramatic form, she describes in detail about how she was brought back from the dead after having a heart attack. Did she honestly think we would believe this? She clearly thinks it is true. To read things like this was quite disturbing because it’s so disconnected from reality. She had become totally sucked into a delusion. I’ve wondered if Erma had an underlying mental health issue, to be so convinced of Jone’s “miraculous” powers.
Again in this letter, she mentions David Smith, the former Fountain member who had relocated to Redwood City. This indicates that Erma and the Smith family had an ongoing contact during this time.
Monday 3:12 PM
2260 Green Ave. Drive
Redwood City, CA 95470
Aug 13, 1973
Dearest,
Well, one year ago right now, you were in the midst of moving. i wish you had stayed here. We have great things going on right now.
Jim Jones-wise. Darling, He, Jim Jones, is the Greatest Universal teacher right now. Can I open up, let my hair down, and express it just like I do for real. Here goes, just set back and listen, it’s real, it’s Truth, I have been here now for one year, on or about Sept. I am the most joyful woman in the world, I have the peace that passeth understanding. It is wonderful.
Jesus has been coming for nearly 2000 yrs in a cloud with a host of angels. Well, Jim Jones has come with 13 Greyhound type buses with about 230 or 300 of His membership traveling East and gathering those who are to come with Him at this time. Been to Texas, Washington, D.C. was in a meeting there, had two or three days meetings in Texas, Houston, now is in Chicago for a few days in Ohio and will be in Ca again by August 20 or 21.
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios wanted us in movies so Pastor Jim finally excepted that, so we will be on 66 stations. Many great things are taking place. Been wanting to hear from you and to learn about your family. I have written you, I have meditated on you and seems thinking on any of these things really helps anymore. Jim Jones is God personified, I will give it to you like this so the shock won’t be too great, He is really more than that. I had the sweetest and most wonderful revelation one early morning after staying up all night and writing letters. It said to me so plainly, Jim Jones is Universal Mind. Each one of us is a tiny speck of the same mind, and we can be just as much as we want to be, its up to you and me how much we want to acquire. He is Perfect Divine Love. Well, he is just everything. No, Precious Ones, I am not crazy. No, I have not lost my mind. Many highly educated ones are His followers, The District Attorney of Mendocino Co. is one of His followers and is traveling with Him now on his vacation.
Jim Jones has another very prominent attorney, Gene Chaikin whom He healed of a cancer. Father Jim Jones has completed every miracle in the Bible that Jesus did and many more. He even has done a great something for me one month ago this past Friday, two nurses said I completely died with a heart attack. I had two major ones, I had no pulse, no nothing and he came down and brought me back to life. I have seen it happen to many, but as you know, we feel it won’t happen to me, well it did. The next day the nurse said to me Erma, if it had not been for Father you would not be here. His lectures or sermons, whatever one wants to call them, they are very heavy and deep. But He said, He is separating the boys from the men, and the women from the girls. Things are really getting in order. We have three beautiful Temples, one in L.A. one in San Fran CA, and of course the Mother Temple in Redwood Valley, CA. We just bought a brand new Greyhound type bus, capacity 66 people. Just bought one or two big apt. houses near our Temple in LA. to house I believe they said 30 families. We have the most beautiful small but but well equipped printing establishment here in Redwood Valley. We have some of the finest carpenters, cabinet makers and everything else anyone needs in the whole world. You just name it, we have it.
Father is in Texas, can get on the phone, call and tell us how many in the meeting here at home, who they are, and how much money we have put in collection.
Last Wed. night He call San Francisco and told a young minister there at our church to drive down to Redwood Valley and tell David Smith, a friend of mine from Colorado, to not take a job, he was going to take, that it could hurt him later. The young man drove to Redwood Valley early that a.m. to give the message and then get back to go to work the next a.m.
He is healing my eyes now, my right eye has a very bad cataract on it, the specialist said it was ready to operate on but said for me to wait six months and see what will happen to it. Father heals cataracts, makes the lame walk, blinded eyes for 12 years see, people in wheelchairs for 12 years walk, and so many things. I can’t begin to tell you all of them. My gosh! I have run my mouth enough, now tell me about you and your family, don’t be sad as you are, as everything happens for the best, maybe you are unable to see it now, but it’s true. I want to see you kids so very much and talk to you, oh so much and I want to know how is your daughter and family and are they any more family, is she happy?
I was writing with my glasses off, I had not been able to see out of this eye and it was not too bad. I put them on again now. How much would it cost to call from New Mexico here? My phone number is 707 485 7474 but do not call any time from Fri pm until Monday a.m. as every week we are gone some place to one or another of the Temples. Always something to look forward to.
Are you working? Please cheer up. I love you all. I know you are saying I am still trying to catch up with ourself from last year. Give my best love to all of you, I really love you. Do you hear from Bro. Wayne Taylor? I’m going to close, I am tired writing now. I am still gaining strength and taking all kinds of vits [could refer to “vitamins”] since my siege into the Great Beyond. It was beautiful after Father removed the pain. I could have gone on and on, Medicine is so high and Medi-Cal doesn’t pay for all of it.
$7.40 I paid for some kind of junk and it tastes horrible, no kidding. Please be sweet and write me, this is my second letter to you, in fact it’s three since I heard from you. I love you all so much, it’s so hard to wait so long with no news. All my love to you all,
Erma
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Transcriber’s note: This note from Erma Winfrey may have contained a brochure or flier about Peoples Temple because she says “keep these”.
492 Lake Mendocino Drive
Ukiah, CA 95482
Jim has been a high school teacher, a minister, and has held some public for two or four years. I tried to find the article to send you to read, but I cannot find it right now, but maybe later I will. Keep these as maybe later you may want them for something, one never knows these days. Sometimes things we think sometime are not valuable, and they are.
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[Editor’s note: This letter from Erma Winfrey may be incomplete. It is also undated, but it references an attempted bombing of a Peoples Temple bus in San Francisco, which occurred in March 1974.]
I am getting this mailed before anyone gets to see it. Father has been threatened in the mail, so our outgoing mail is read from some of the people. Some of the incoming mail is opened, mine never has been. But a bomb was placed under His bus somehow and He and Mother Jones were on the bus. It burned right up to the going off point and then went out.
The police brought someone out to handle it as they were afraid too. Jim picked it up and carried it around and showed it to all of us. Someone that did not sign their name called Him from long distance and told Him that He was being threatened. No name was given. He said He knows who but did not tell us. We guard all three of our churches 24 hrs a day, as it in S.F. was bombed and burned last July or Aug. But we have it nearly built it up again so it’s “beautiful”.
Yes darling, sounds weird maybe when we say the jungle, but we have had some of the most beautiful pictures of the most unusual flowers, wild ones, all kinds of fruit we have here grows wild there and you eat it, those that went over there say it tastes so good, coffee and tea they marvel at. The fish we have them by the loads on our own river and go in our own big boat to catch them. I must close, I know you’re so darn tired reading this, you’re saying I wish Erma would hurry and bring this to an end. So I am —
I love you dearly
Redwood Valley,
Erma
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Transcriber’s note: In this letter Erma again asserts that she had a fatal heart attack and was brought back from the dead by Jones. She also indicates that she is now living in the “Swaneys Rest Home” which was one of the Temple nursing homes owned by the Swaney family.
She gives some specific information about her financial struggles, indicating rent at 125.50 and gas at 50.60. However, it is interesting to note that she never indicates how she is paying for the Swaney Rest Home. We know that senior citizens on Social Security were required to give the Temple their checks to pay for their room and board. But Erma never reveals this information. Sometimes in her letters, what she doesn’t say is as informative as what she does say.
She indicates that when she first was moved into the Swaney Rest Home, she was very unhappy about it. She doesn’t explain why she was unhappy with being there, so the reader is left to wonder exactly what the problem was with the situation. Was it overcrowded? Was the food inadequate? Was she perhaps pressured to move into that nursing home?
She also makes an odd statement:
If you do not straighten up you are going to go like someone else did that could not stand pain and be obedient.
I don’t know who she’s referring to here. A family member? A friend? Did she suffer a traumatic loss in her past? It’s unknown. But it must have been an important event for her. It seems to indicate someone who died, i.e. “you are going to go” like someone else.
It’s interesting that she refers to Jones as “Jim” as if she’s on a first name basis with him, making requests to talk to him, trying to get individualized attention from him. Her frustration with Jones not giving her the attention she seeks is obvious:
He would always be too busy and someone would come and say what you want to see Pastor Jones for? I will take the message. Somehow, I do not know, I held my peace.
She also says:
I tried to talk to Jim but He would somehow avoid me or I felt so. I did not get disillusioned. I kept my faith.
Clearly, Erma was trying to get closer to “Jim.” Her comments show a lot about the dynamic of this situation. She seeks a close, personal tie with Jones. I think this is part of a pattern that she had during her life, seeking closeness to a mystic guru or “leader,” something beyond the typical Pastor/follower interaction. Was Jones avoiding her, as she seems to think?
She reiterates that Jones is Jesus or God personified. She goes into more detail about the “jungle” land that the Temple has purchased, but as always, never says the word Guyana. Clearly, she knows a lot of details about this country because she says it has a Black president, an Indian vice president, a Chinese in high office, etc. Yet, she doesn’t name the country. We know that Jones warned followers never to tell friends or relatives the location of this land in case they tried to stop their loved ones from leaving the U.S. or try to find them in this location.
She says that a bomb was thrown at the bus Jones and his wife were in, plus other remarks about him being poisoned, shot in the heart, run over by a truck etc. Poor Erma apparently believed these ridiculous tales spun by Jones, as sadly did many of these followers. It’s heartbreaking to read and extremely difficult to understand why or how Erma thought these fake stories were true.
Erma’s adoration of Jones oozes from her letters – perhaps she had a bit of a “crush” on him, calling him “Jim,” trying to get extra attention, etc. This is a personal connection for her, not just a typical church connection. He was handsome, magnetic and very charismatic. I’ve often wondered how she would have felt if Jones had been an unattractive boring quiet little guy. Even if he’d done the same humanitarian deeds and outreach, would Erma have been as enthused about this group? It’s worth pondering. Jones knew that older women such as Erma felt neglected, lonely, unhappy and bored, seeking a more profound exciting life. The hero worship drips from the pages of her letters.
7625 E. Rd.
Redwood Valley CA 95470
June 24, 1974
About 12 noon today I went to lie down or did lie down
Let me hear from you very soon please. Area code 707-485-7896
Wed. nite I am not here, weekends I am usually traveling.
Dearest,
Today a strange thing came over me. How are all of you. I want a direct assurance quickly, by mail or phone. You kids are very near, also very dear to me for some reason, You may not know why nor neither do I.
Glad your daughter has a new baby but I wish all of you were here.
I have found the greatest man that has walked the Earth since Jesus was here, no fooling, only the “Real Truth”. I have been here nearly two years, doesn’t seem like it, does it.Learned many things, saw thousands of things I can never tell you about. Never can appreciate anything as much as I can when He gave me a sound calm mind again. I want you to know this was the most satisfying thing that ever happened to a human. Had two severe heart attacks not knowing what it was, or the second I died, two RN nurses said. Jim Jones brought me about – it happened about 4:45 or 5:30 last August, I guess it was July. About 12 am in the a.m. I was practically normal, I remember, I got carried up the stairs to the meeting and I testified. But Jim would not allow me to walk. I was very very weak and oh so tired but I made it. Now I am living in a rest home. One of our churches owns this “Swaneys Rest Home”. They have eleven patients or guests they call them. I am the twelth and one of the family, not considered as a guest.
It is expensive as you know, I had an apartment, then a mobile home, 125.50 for rent, 50.60 for car gas each mo, besides other utilities and I could not pay it and have food to eat. I am a member of People’s Temple Christian Church and I asked for someone to come and room with me and help share expenses. I got a nurse and was very happy but she decided she wanted to live communal so again I was alone. So I was asked to come to this place to live. I was very rebellious but with the kindest and deepest love that could come from any family, came from this family to me.
I would tell you the truth. I worried and fretted until I actually tore my body up. So I’ve learned one lesson if never any more. Worry and simple negative thoughts, the wrong type of attitudes, can really destroy your own self. I know this, no one need to tell me this. So through my loving Pastor and Father Jim Jones I consented to live here yet so unhappy and dissatisfied it was pitiful. Believe me, I got where someone had to lift me up so I could get out of bed. Anyway this is not half the story but I am going to bring it briefly to a close. I got a Revelation one morning, here is what it “Said”. If you do not straighten up you are going to go like someone else did that could not stand pain and be obedient. I knew who it was and do you know from that moment on I straightened up. I tried to talk to Jim but He would somehow avoid me or I felt so. I did not get disillusioned. I kept my faith. One night Jim said in the first part of a meeting Erma Winfrey is in a lot of pain. I could heal you, but it would take a lot of my energy. He called two registered nurses, they took me in the back and said, I feel you had a whiplash in the in the car shake up.
I went to go to a Dr. see what – I went and had about 8 or 10 x rays, came home, got a very deep sharp in my right shoulder before leaving the Dr’s office. Stayed two weeks, went back was no better, got about 8 or 10 more x rays. After a month I changed doctors. He’s supposed to be the best in our city here. He sent me to hospital, to get 10 or 12 more xrays, more blood tests, my legs, feet and ankles stayed swollen but it was not from my heart.. So I asked Dr. what was my trouble. He said, Mrs. Winfrey, have you been to other doctors. I said yes. He said it is too bad you have not had something done for you. You are too young at heart to be left this way.
It will take a lot of work but if you will work with me I will work with you. Well he has done just this since Nov. and December I started worrying about what I was going to do in December It got worse. I was not warm in my home, in Jan. I moved or they moved me to this rest home. But only about six weeks has my health started to improve, My swelling has left almost and I can walk pretty good. The thing I am trying to tell you is this, I done all this myself to myself because of mental confusion in and of my own mind.
Our beloved Pastor and Father I love so much let me stew in my own juice until I came to my senses by Him working with me through my mind not verbally. He would always be too busy and someone would come and say what you want to see Pastor Jones for? I will take the message. Somehow, I do not know, I held my peace. But Father would have one of the young ministers of the church to call me once or sometimes twice a week to see how I was.
I am trying to make you feel what I am saying, as well as know, this man is Jesus or rather God Personified. He has done everything that Jesus done in His Day and a thousand times more. At December last he went to prepare a place for us. Some 8 or 10 thousand miles away purchased 25,000 acres of jungle land, 250 or 300 miles away from any place. The little town and capitol of the state has a Black president, an Indian vice pres., a white man has high office, a Chinese, and all races of people. People are quite primitive in and around that little state capitol.
We have already bought a big boat. I want to call it a ship, as it looks like a ship to me. It can carry many people, buses and all sorts of cargo, tractors and such. We have about 25 or 30 missionaries over there, carpenters, electricians, mechanics, sawmill to make lumber. Just everything. We have fishing boats we own. We are, I mean they are, clearing off the timber, have a garden planted, maybe I should crop. But we have mechanics, putting up or have already put up our own electric plant to operate our own lights and everything.
We are having our own schools to be built, we have school teachers, drs and nurses and every professional person we need for anything. Professors, attorneys, just everything. I would be a bad girl if I would say to you to take a leave of absence, come and see what’s here. We have the Garden of Eden here Redwood Valley. It’s worth you coming to see, as here is where you need to be.
We own three Temples, all paid for, one in San Francisco, one in L.A. Beautiful, and the Mother church here in Redwood Valley. They have tried for a long time to destroy Jim. was shot at and hit through the heart, fell to the ground, run over with a truck, poisoned, hospital said enough poison in Him to kill 10 horses. The latest a few weeks ago a bomb was thrown inside His bus He rides in but did not explode. He and Marceline were on the bus at the time.
We own 12 or 13 Greyhound type buses. He is taking 6 or 7 hundred on a trip leaving July 7 from L.A.. Write this place and ask more questions if you are interested. I love you all,
Erma
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Editor’s note: A section containing personal information about the recipient’s family has been deleted at the ellipse […] below.
Transcriber’s note: In this letter, Erma – who was still living in a Peoples Temple nursing home – refers to someone named “Maxine.” This was Maxine Swaney, the wife of the owner of the Swaney Nursing Home in Redwood Valley where Erma was now living. Erma didn’t state who “Maxine” was – she tended to be vague about people’s identities. We didn’t know any of these people so her letters were sometimes confusing for us to read.
Again, in a repetitious manner, she relates the same tales of faith healing, how Jones turned water into wine just like Jesus, or walked on water in Mexico. Her mind seemed to be a broken record, saying the same things over and over.
Researchers and witnesses have confirmed that outgoing mail from the Temple was read and censored, so perhaps she was being told what to write, like a script. Our family noticed how unnatural and abnormal her letters seemed. They didn’t sound like the normal comments of someone writing spontaneously or freely. It was distressing to read these letters.
July 19, 1974
5:55 am
My most precious,
Had my meditation at 6am, it’s now 6:15 am on the dot and I am going to have a visit with you, please try to read this and gain an understanding from it. It was 5 am and I awakened with you in my thoughts, I also read your letter the last thing before I went to sleep. I was going to church last night as we are to have service each night. Our Pastor is gone Wed. nite through Sunday nite I believe it is. Maxine said to me, Erma are you going to church. I said yes I got up and came back to my room to get ready and for some unknown reason to me, I got too exhausted all at once. I went in and told her, for some reason, I am just too tired to go. I came back to my room, layed down, and went to sleep, felt better then. Listen carefully to the words I write, think them over and meditate on them.
Each move you have made has been a great help to or for your spiritual growth. It had to be, for you to ever make any kind of successful change. …
Jim Jones has done everything the Bible tells of Jesus miracles, and I mean every one, turned water to wine and His whole church witnessed that – it was before my time. He took I don’t know how many buses to Mexico on a vacation between two and four years, and He walked on the water and many of His people that were up saw it as it was early in the morning, the lady told me about it, she saw it.
I, Erma, has seen so many miracles, dead brought back to life and so many hundreds of more things I cannot write them down. So many of all kinds of growths removed from the brain and all parts of the body. They are cancers and tumors but don’t ever mention cancer if you should write to anyone as the Drs. don’t like this.
Jim allows many of us to go to hospital to have operations and the patient will be scheduled for the next morning at 9 and He has done removed it. this happened to a very close friend of mine. Also one of our very carpenters had a growth on his spine he had been x rayed was in hospital for operation and Jim healed it before the man went to the operating table. One woman had been in hospital for I do not know how long, the Dr. said her bones were eaten up just like termites eat up a house and sent her home to die. So she heard of Jim Jones, and someone helped her to get to church one Sunday, “I was there and heard this.”
Jim called her out and said to her you just came out of the hospital. He first called her name told her all the Dr’s names she had been to, she said yes and then told her what they said. They sent you home to die, they said they have done all they can do. She started crying and screaming. He said, I am going to heal you, and He did that very moment, and this has been six or eight months ago and she is in church and testifies all the time.
So don’t you worry, you go forward and make as many moves as need be. I moved so many times last summer, had no food sometimes and for a month nearly I set buckets of water out in the yard to get warm so I could take a bath, had no heat after I moved as I had no money to have it turned on.I was lying around up and down, it was after I had this heart attack, it was 99 or 100 degrees, I was covered with a wool blanket just freezing to death, don’t tell me, I have went through everything.
My Pastor did not tell me to move where I am to my [illegible word], but we He worked through different ones and here I am and I was so rebellious for four months, I put my body through so much, I nearly lost it, and He said in a meeting Erma Winfrey is in a lot of pain, and sent two nurses, registered nurses to take me and talk to me, sent me to the best Drs.in Ukiah. Only one has been helping me, but I saw myself as I was, a negative rebellious child and the spirit spoke to me,one morning as if someone was in the room. It sorta frightened me. It said, Erma, you straighten yourself up or you’re going like someone else did. Do you know from that moment, to this, Erma did straighten up.
I was sent for more xrays, blood tests, urine tests etc at hospital and then a heart cardiogram. All the Drs. said to me you’re just filled with rheumatism and at my age, done nothing but give me shots. I am doing better and feeling so much better thanks to Jim Jones Our Father and Great Leader. I am taking some very strong capsules of some sort, I have to eat before I take them. Well, this is enough on me, so I will change.
I’m glad your hubby has a good position and something he likes I am sure. Don’t worry anymore about the moves, I know you are somewhat “shook up” but God works in a mysterious way his mysteries to perform. This is true my precious ones. All of life is not peaches and cream, if it was we would not appreciate it. Have to make many, many many detours some time. But someday it will be so sweet. There is so much trash going on in “High” places, there has to be a Universal Change. Can’t you see, can’t you see…
Everything is being shook up right through now. Oh so much. I would love to talk to you about so much. You children are so precious to me. Write when you can. Thank you for the pictures.
(end of letter, no signature)
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Christmas card, likely from 1974
[Editor’s note: Erma Winfrey wrote on a Peoples Temple Christmas Card, from address PO Box 214, Redwood Valley, CA. The reference to a photo of Jim Jones standing in a cornfield in Guyana gives the card a 1974 date.]
My dearest,
So long I have not heard a word from you, I wrote you a long letter and no answer. Have you moved again or are you teaching? I am so anxious to hear from you and to know how things are with you. About three or four weeks ago you were so deep in my thoughts. I am real good.
Our church is really working hard to help, helpless and starving humanity. Would so much appreciate a donation for this needed work for all. Our Pastor is so busy caring for all. Our missionary program has started, the Promised Land in South America, is clearing jungle land and planting all kinds of needed food for the starving people. We will appreciate and be happy for anything you can share with us. We have a number of people already in the Promised Land.
You can see our Pastor standing in the corn we had this summer. He said some had 2 or 3 on the stalk. Those that are there write us that it’s the most beautiful country in the world. 26 or 27,000 acres of jungle land. They have cleared and built two or three large places, dormitories as houses for people. All kinds of wild fruits and vegetables and the most beautiful flowers we see in the slides they show us here. We have many teachers, attorneys, all types of professional people. Drs. I really wish you were here. You see everything is getting so tragic in the world, and needs to seek a new place. Destruction is in our midst. Even in high places there is much dishonesty.
Love to each of you and anything you can send to help this great mission will make me very happy. Much love and happiness and everything good to come your way.
Erma M. Winfrey
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Transcriber’s note: In this letter Erma states that she is happier than she’s ever been in her life, in fact “divinely” happy. That’s quite a statement! But was she being honest about this? Or was she being told to say this? We will never know.
I’m puzzled by her asking if she can speak with no “ill will,” as if my family had been critical of her choices. Perhaps merely asking a few questions about Peoples Temple or trying to find out more was interpreted by her as some sort of critical remark. At no time was anyone in our family ever rude to her or impolite to her about her association with this group. We didn’t even know much about it at all other than the brochures she sent.
In one of her comments, she says she was sorry that our family was not able to go to the Jim Jones Sunday service. As indicated in the Remembrance about Erma, my parents never attended the service because they felt very bad vibes from the situation. So, this is what she’s referring to about us not able to go to the Jim Jones service on Sunday.
She once again talks about miracle healings and rehashes many of the same details she’d written in previous letters. At this point, her letters almost sounded scripted. There’s no way to prove that she was being told what to write, but I’ve never gotten letters from anyone who repeated the same things over and over as she did. Was someone at the Temple nursing home “suggesting” to Erma what “facts” to write about? It’s hard to believe that she continued to write in this style of her own volition, or without someone putting pressure on her, to say (or NOT say) certain things. It sounds rehearsed and taken from a list of pre-approved facts.
If you compare her Peoples Temple letters with the ones she wrote in 1969 from Melvern, Kansas while living with her mother, the style is very different. Her Kansas letters sound like a normal sharing of information and daily life events. She doesn’t repeat the same things over and over in the Kansas letters.
March 4, 1975
Redwood Valley, CA
My precious ones,
Been thinking of you for so many days and have not taken time out to write, I want to thank you for the $10 for Christmas, But I have been busy and thinking, thinking so much, How are all of you folks. Truly you have had it pretty rough, But just maybe, I say maybe there is a reason. Wait a minute, first of all I want to thank you for the beautiful pictures you sent, all of you looked fine to me.
Can I talk to you real plain heart to heart with no ill feeling of any sort and so on. You folks are a wonderful family and I do not know why I feel so close to you. Could be there is a reason, you thought of that????
Well, I am divinely satisfied and happy, I have searched for years and years and years for pure Truth. I have found it. Pastor Jim Jones has all the same wisdom or type of wisdom Jesus had nearly 2000 years ago. Know what the Bible says and rightly so which is Jesus teaching, that greater teachings than His shall be when He comes or One comes again. I believe Jim Jones is He who is to come again. He has done everything Jesus did in the Bible and a thousand more. He has brought dead that had been taken to the morgue in general hospital in L.A. for three hours. He was not there but right here in Redwood Valley. The daughter called Him, I said her mother had passed. I have seen cancers removed from men prostrate gland, I even saw the man before and after and saw the bloody growth. I saw this not once but many times. He removes cancers from womens breast, also from the female organs. I have seen these hundreds of times. A patient was in the hospital from our church in the critical ward. I do not remember the proper term for that ward. Anyway, she was out of her mind, so listen, Jim Jones projected Himself so strongly the nurse next morning ask the patient, who was the nice looking man that came to your room, He asked me where such and such a room was, she said I gave Him the number. Who was He. She described His looks, color of hair, the type of clothes He had on. The young woman said no one was here and I did not see anyone. She said you are better, so much better.
We wear a locket with Jones picture in it. So she said whose picture is in your locket, she said I do not open my locket and show the picture, it’s just a friend of mine. The nurse kept coaxing her so she opened it and she said to the patient this is the man who came in to see you yesterday, He was walking real fast. The patient got well and was to church about two months ago and five drs said she would not live. Many peculiar very strange things are taking place ever since I’ve been here but greater and stranger things are taking place each moment of each day. People that come in now which not too many get in now, as it’s like kindergarten children going to high school and they would be shocked.
I sat from 12:30 noon until 6:45 on Sunday and I did not get tired or realize it was that late and He had everyone served upstairs in the church, carried their meals except the children, it took about 1 1/2 hrs or less there were about 200 -300 people maybe more. It was done so beautifully, so quietly and so neatly it nearly frightens when something like this happens, He would not accept a plate for Himself or eat until everyone else had their plate.
I am sorry you folks did not get to see Him that Sunday evening. You folks are good people, you need Jim, and He could use folk like you. I feel some time in life we are to have such teaching before it’s too too late. People have to write and ask for interviews and make an appointment with some of the staff before they are admitted. We have all types of people here, drs. nurses, attorneys, college teachers, high school, grade school, both men and women. Everyone works together, eats together, lives together. Every week our Precious Pastor drives 14 to 1600 miles as we have bought and paid for the Three People’s Temples churches. We have a Promised Land in South America, only 27,000 acres jungle land, we have cleared off 300 or more acres and have planted many acres of food, set out many fruit trees, banana trees, pineapples, all kinds of peas and beans, potatoes, white and sweet, many lovely veg we do not even have here,we have our own coffee and tea. Coconuts galore, just everything. We have some 40 or 60 people over there building, farming, we have tractors, all kinds of bulldozers and everything to pull up trees and clear off soil and we have a big boat that will carry many tons and many people.
A number of people have taken the boat over there already. Father has adopted 7 children over there, they were homeless. About two months ago he chartered a plane and took lots of supplies and many people to just see the Promised Land that had to return as they had business places back here – We already have cows, chickens, pigs, and goats and sheep I think they said. We all address Pastor Jim as Father because he really provides for us like a Father. He sees that we have the very best of medical care and drs. He sees that we have a check up once or twice a year. If we have to go to a hospital he sees that we go to the Best and get the Best of care. He took some lady to the hospital this summer on their trip she got sick at a cost of over $1,000 for dr. and hospital and He had His wife to fly back and stay all week and be with her and bring her home. His wife, Mother Marceline, is an inspector of all the hospitals, nursing home type, well, hospitals, in CA, I think, anyway, have daily average of driving is 300 miles a day. Really this is the greatest work in the world today.
We are growing food for people that are in need everywhere. Darling, I am here in San Francisco today as I go to the dr. tomorrow, Pastor Jim doesn’t feel the drs give thoughtful enough care for us in Ukiah so He got in touch with the best dr. here in S.F. and He refers one of our nurses to the best drs here.
Hope someday you will try and come and visit us, but if you ever care to or think about it be sure to write first and they will answer your letters. It is truly worth trying to see and learn something here. I am so glad I am part of this movement. I only wish you could come and see this beautiful building, see the drapes, and see the carpets.
Precious, I am not rereading this letter because I may not send it. See – but I wrote in the mood I was in at that time. I love you kids so much. Past lives must surely mean something to us. I never shall forget the evening your hubby came for me at Senior City in Home. It was the most beautiful time I had had for a long time. Write me real soon, I want to hear from you.
[This letter is unsigned.]
************************************************************************
Letter likely from late 1975 or early 1976
Editor’s note: This letter has been edited to include paragraph breaks.
Transcriber’s note: This undated letter from Erma Winfrey was probably sent from Redwood Valley in that she writes she has been living there for three years. She also says she turned 76 on December 19. She died at Jonestown at age 78 in 1978.
The most concerning/distressing remark in this letter is where she says:
I want this letter destroyed, I am writing the Truth by the help of God, no added or subtracted things from it
To request that the letter be “destroyed” is certainly bizarre and in hindsight, knowing what we know about Jim Jones intimidation and warnings to members that they not talk about certain things to friends or relatives on the outside, it’s clear that Erma was being pressured. Obviously, my family didn’t comply with her request to “destroy” the letter!
This letter is also quite interesting because she mentions several former Fountain of the World members – Walli, Mamie and Ruth – indicating that she had traveled by bus to tell them about Jim Jones:
but it had no effect upon them.
Erma repeatedly tried to get our family involved with Peoples Temple, which we would not do. And these former Fountain members were not interested either. I’m sure this was very frustrating for her, to fail at getting her friends and former associates involved. I could really feel the frustration in her about this. Perhaps she assumed (wrongly) that other people would immediately see the worth and value of Jim Jones and I think she was surprised when this wasn’t the case. People didn’t immediately jump through that hoop and get involved.
She also clearly felt that “Master Krishna’s” teachings were merely the “beginning” of spiritual truth and that
goodness knows, it could not stop there.
This remark demonstrates the transition in her mind between Krishna Venta and Jim Jones. She believed that Jim Jones was a continuation of the teachings espoused at the Fountain of the World. However, the former Fountain members did not share Erma’s opinion and did not wish to get involved with Peoples Temple.
More troubling remarks:
Those days of real close relationship, as has been in the past, were good old days, we all loved them, I treasured them, but we have to die to them, as we would die in the physical body.
Was she hinting at the suicide plans with this talk of death and dying? We know that Jones spoke of “revolutionary suicide,” of death being preferable to defeat at the hands of various “enemies” or “capitalism.” Analyzing her remarks in that light, it’s chilling to feel that perhaps she was thinking in those terms, or had come to accept the ultimate disaster. For her, the past at the Fountain of the World was merely “good old days,” as if those days had receded into her memories, and was less valuable to her than whatever truths she had found at Peoples Temple.
As the time neared for her departure to Guyana in 1977, she may have been hearing more radical rhetoric related to suicide and dying for beliefs and perhaps was prepared to go through with it if put in that position.
Again, a warning:
I am not to write a letter like this at this time, some of our mail is tampered with, the more He does the more He is hated.
And yet another warning:
If you write me, don’t mention things I have talked about please.
It’s obvious the pressure was really being put on by the time she wrote this letter. As time neared to depart for Guyana, her letter reflected that intensity. It’s sad, frightening and terrible that she was living in this environment, but by then, she was so fully involved, it was too late to pull back.
This letter has been edited with the inclusion of paragraph breaks.
Dearest,
Greetings my precious ones, indeed I have worried and wondered just what had happened. I do not blame you for not writing, I know the frame of mind you have been in, I have been in that same mind many times. and you just cannot write to anyone. But I am going to write some plain truth to you, I was or am trying to squeeze two lines where one should be. I want this letter destroyed, I am writing the Truth by the help of God, no added or subtracted things from it. Think of these things if you will. Meditate on these things if you will.
From the very beginning of time or life our life for each one it is planned. Took me years to realize this. I was 76 on December 19. Your letter came that day. I was lying down resting when the girl brought it to me, I am living in the Church Senior Citizen home. I am very joyful here, very joyful, here in this little town of Ukiah and Redwood Valley (3 yrs this past October, doesn’t seem like it, but its fast). I am fine. Do you remember you took me to the bus to make a trip to tell Walli, Mamie, Ruth at [illegible word], about Jim, borrowed the money if you please but it had no effect on them. They had studied under our precious Master Krishna, that was the beginning of our Truth and it was good, but goodness knows it could not stop there. He had much more if things had not turned out as they did. But nothing I said touched anyone. I had to go on searching as I knew that was the thing to do.
Enough of that now. My heart filled with joy to hear from you, my eyes filled with tears to know how you have and are suffering financially. Those days of real close relationship, as has been in the past, were good old days, we all loved them, I treasured them, but we have to die to them, as we would die in the physical body. Now its hard to think of such and I am going to make it plain, in my simple, stupid way, We are living in a New Day and New Era, it is hard to break away from. It’s been mine and myself everyone is the same but that may have to be broken and its a pain.
Jim Jones is the most extraordinary man since Jesus was here. He is completely dedicated to God, as I must put it as this point, there is not one thing that He cannot do. Many people know it and are trying to destroy Him and this Great Principle He teaches. He handles bombs and life in every form. Oh how can I make this short? Judas followed Jesus, betrayed Him. In Our family, the same is now. Jim has been poisoned many times, go to hospital, has His stomach pumped, Drs. shake their head and say had enough poison to kill 11 or 12 horses, bomb was put under the bus He and Marceline were in. His power stopped it, got out the next morning and picked it up, two or more policemen were there to get rid of it.
Enough of that. But the truth of all sorts and kinds come through Him. Things He taught years ago to His family are coming out in medical news each day and He already taught them. He cares for dogs, cats and all animals and life. Dogs are run over, smashed, and His name is called on for help and a picture of His brings it back to life as good as new. I know these things. I am not to write a letter like this at this time, some of our mail is tampered with, the more He does the more He is hated. I wish you had only missed a day and come and visited this group, nothing is easy and at that time you would not have appreciated it but since those three years of mental struggle, it could make more sound sense to you. In the Book of Acts in the Bible it says something about selling all, giving up all and Come.
We have many that have done just that. We have the District Attorney of Mendocino County in our group, several other fine attorneys well known, well established, that has given up fine expensive cars and homes came in here. We have fine school teachers, drs. and nurses, of all degrees here. Jim Jones has contact with the highest authorities. He looks and dresses very simple, no car for himself, rides the buses which we have, 12 greyhound type, with us to all the meetings. No fanfare for Him. Peoples Temple Christian Church, we own three of them. Mother church in Redwood Valley and one in S.F. and one in L.A.. Someone burned the one in S.F. down in 73 but its built back better and bigger. Its not easy to escape the (Honest Truth) and live it, you can know this from experience but if you want it, its beautiful, but to give all, family and all as the Bible states it is hard.
Darling its just like death we separate ourselves. Many families are together in here and then many families are not here together now. But they get their college education and any profession they want just the same. We have 25 or 27000 acres of jungle land in South America, we have missionaries for over there for 2 1/2 years, we have cleared off over 300 acres and building and have been feeding starving people in other countries for over a year now. We have all kinds of fruit, veg. now, right now in use, our coffee and tea, all sorts of fruit now. We have pigs and chicken, etc. They went over a few weeks ago on business and took moving pictures and brought them back. We have little houses built over there all of our own, we are several hundred miles away from any place in the jungle. We have many types of tractors and saw mills and all kinds of farming equipment to pull up trees and clear and farm the ground with.
Our church adopts many homeless children, black and white, our Pastor has adopted 8 children, all are nearly grown, His black son carries His name Jim Jones Jr.
If you write me, don’t mention things I have talked about please. If you want to know more, write to the Church, they will have someone write and answer any question you want to know. I know if you have had time to read the newspapers, Time, weekly magazines, you know the condition America is in. How people are trying to destroy the President, all any, many, that want to do right, of course President Nixon and Mr. Ford is not doing too much for the good of all people and are really stealing the people and country blind. It was in the paper that Mr. Nixon had many thousands dollars in a bank on some island, did you read that?
I love you precious Ones and I hope you won’t throw me down because I am trying to relate the truth to you. You probably would not like Jim Jones as He speaks the truth so plain you get shocked, at first. He is the most wonderful soul most of us have ever, ever seen or heard. “Jesus cursed the fog trice” “Jesus cursed the money changers out of the Temple,” and Jim Jones curses the BigWigs, the CIA, etc for their way of treating the people. Please read and listen to your thoughts, every word is truth, not one lie. I have told you, I love you too much. How is your family and your parents. Think on these things. write the Temple, but don’t ever mention about me writing recently lately. Why People have written untruths and tried to hurt this principle and organization so they check all outgoing mail and some that comes in. Terrible things have happened since I’ve been here. Jim was shot down about a year before I came in here, many saw it and the shirt he had on, someone saved it and it was put in a box and when he was away once someone showed it to us, shot through the chest. He healed hiself and preached that same night and healed a young man that had epileptic fits. I see him and he tells us that was when he was healed. Anything the dr’s can’t cure and heal and give up He heals them, I say anything, I saw this, and have living truth coming from those in our family – I am tired now, it’s so darn much. Elesha and Walli are OK, heard from them the other day. C. Nekona is still in rest home and hosp, as she needs someone with her all the time but she is living as well as she can be. Secret between us, if it had not been for Jim Jones, she would not be. I gave a letter from Elesha to be given to Him.
The best for the new year,
Love, Erma
************************************
Letter dated December 16, 1976
Editor’s note: This letter has been edited to include paragraph breaks.
Transcriber’s note: This letter makes some important points. First, she again mentions the “tragedy” of December 14, 1958, the bombing at the Fountain of the World where she was severely injured.
Clearly, the bombing is still very much a part of her thoughts and personal history. She says that after that incident she realized:
I must see if I can find something to feed the vacant vacuum again that I once had.
In a nutshell, this comment sums up why she was a perfect target for Jim Jones’ manipulations. In her own words, she says she had a “vacant vacuum” inside. She was seeking some group or person that would give her the same fulfillment that she’d found in the 1950’s at the Fountain of the World. Her own words powerfully explain her mindset.
She mentions a friend who had a husband named “Jimmie” who told her about Jim Jones. This letter from 1976 is the first time she gives any specific information about how she heard about Peoples Temple. She doesn’t identify the friend by name, only the friend’s husband named “Jimmie.” I don’t know who this friend was or who Jimmie was. But this may be the best information that researchers will have for determining the beginnings of Erma’s affiliation with Peoples Temple.
As in her other letters, she once again says that Peoples Temple has all sorts of educated members, such as doctors, lawyers, etc. Her use of the term “Big Wheels” to describe these types of people is rather interesting. It’s as if she’s determined to make sure that our family is aware that influential or powerful people are associated with Peoples Temple.
It’s ironic that she frequently says that educated Big Wig types are part of the group, and yet says that in Peoples Temple, no one is above anyone else. If that’s the case, why even mention, over and over, that powerful people are members? Clearly, the perceived power of certain members does matter quite a bit to Erma because she mentions it again and again. She seems obsessed with this element of Peoples Temple.
For the first time in this letter, she says about Jones:
you might not like him
This is an interesting comment, because perhaps she’s realizing just how far out Jones really is, and that it’s possible that we “might not like him.” Perhaps his rhetoric had become so radical and over the top that she had to face the fact that he might not be someone we would like.
The most chilling remark in this letter:
Don’t mention any of these things I’m writing about now please as I do not think they want us to.
We now know how Jim Jones operated, that members were warned not to reveal specifics about the “Promised Land” plans. Her remark is a glaring red flag that this group was involved in secretive things. If my family had realized the true import of this remark, we would have done everything in our power to help Erma leave this “church.” But unfortunately, outsiders didn’t know what a deadly situation it was. Normally, Erma was an open, friendly person who loved to share with others. And yet here she is, bizarrely asking us not to mention anything she’s writing as if it’s a deep dark secret!
My Dearest,
Gosh! Folks do rush things when they have a chance, don’t they? Well its been so long since we have had any kind of contact, have to work things fast. OK.
Well, it was so wonderful to hear your voice and you made it sound like it used to sound when I first visited with you. Seemed cheerful and happy inside, and that is what it takes. I was delighted when you said to come and visit so I want to relate a few things to you and I hope you will understand.
We are an interracial group of people. There are people of every background here, with both white and black. We are a group of people that needed to know the real truth as we needed help for survival Knew It. Some came to see and hear because they had heard Jim Jones would perform wonderful miracles.
I came for truth as I longed for the real truth as Master Krishna gave it, it was the first and only truth. I had heard of this kind. Naturally, after the tragedy of December 14, 1958, I said I must see if I can find something to feed the vacant vacuum again that I once had. First I started writing to different groups. found a lot of help and comfort in them. But you know some of my close friends that knew me, and also thought I was off my rocker as they called it, called me on Friday morning and said, Erma, have you ever heard of Jim Jones. I said, “no”. The lady said to me Jimmie her husband, had been going to several meetings, she said, he, Jim Jones, can really heal cancers, remove tumors, and many other things. She said if its a warm day the odor of the condition is very offensive you can see it and smell it. I want you to go tomorrow, would you like to go, I said Oh yes, be ready at 10 am because the building is always packed, sometimes not even standing room. (I was ready at 10). and do you know, I sat from the time I got in my seat until 9 or 10 pm and never even moved out of my seat. I saw all she had told me about and much much more. I recognized something in him that was so different and so wonderful, I knew then and there he was different.
But I had something in my thoughts, that had to be straightened out, so on Sunday as I had planned to return the still small voice within would not allow it. I got ready to go, but could not, had to stay at home, I meditated and had a beautiful vision that gave me an understanding I needed.
I want to explain a few things to you, we have a certain time we can have guests, the following is so large (600 to 1200) to just a regular meeting, some time really most of the time Wed. nite also on Fri. Sat and Sun we can invite guests. I think the first Sunday after the New Year week and this week we are here because we have our New Years celebration here in L.A. comes up here. So I will write you again after the New Year let you know for sure or I may just go out and call you so you can get the news in plenty of time.
We have many professional people like yourself and like your husband which has a trade with making things and there are white ones and black ones. We have Drs and District Attorney of S. F. White here two or more other attorneys, a young Jewish Dr. that The Temple has schooled, will graduate in a year or less, many nurses of different types, teachers, well, Darling, you name it and we have it. But here we are all the same, no one is recognized any more than the least recognized education wise. Our Pastor’s wife is an inspector of all nursing homes for elderly I believe it is. Is here in the S.F. area and you see it reached farther than S.F. area but she has been given a bigger job I understand and she will be here in S.F. all the time. Before then she was home only once a week and some times she was too far for that.
But the minority or the Black race, the Mexicans, and the poor people of all races needed a man to walk among them like Jim Jones, so they could have just and a better treatment about housing and living in every respect, so He is seeing that changes are made for all people for rights and justice. People as far as NY Washington, DC Big Wheels call Him and He Talks to them some time all night long. Mrs. Carter the new President’s wife called Him long distance and then came here for a meeting and he was asked out to eat with her. Senator Mondale when he came here, Mayor Moscone invited Pastor Jones to go with him to the air plane, with him to meet Mondale.
You can see why I respect Pastor Jones so much. He does not see color but principle and character. I do with all my heart want you folks to meet Him, you may not like Him but will give you a great deal to ponder over in your own mind. Some things go on and I am still pondering. He has done so many things I have read in the Bible that Jesus done that I must say to myself, Who are you? He has the deepest love for all life and cares for all life, all is important to Him.
We have an agriculture center in South America, a boat we have missionaries over there that grow fruit of all kinds and we ship it to other parts of the country to feed the hungry and starving and this land I am speaking about was a pure thick jungle when we purchased it. We have cleaned it up hundreds of acres have fruit, oranges, grapefruit, coconuts, bananas, all grown from our own land. We have thousands of chickens, hundreds of hogs and pigs, other animals, cows and many others I do not know about, about every two or three months or so they take moving pictures and send them for us to see all the tractors and implements we have over there is truly something,
Don’t mention any of these things I’m writing about now please as I do not think they want us to. I just cannot keep from saying a few things to you, I have never been as joyful in my entire life as I am now. I would not lie to you as I do not need to say anything, just keep my mouth close, you know that. We have those here of the race adopted little black babies of the lighter skin, we have many interracial marriage. I just want you know what is happening. Getting tired and sleepy and want you to drop me a card or letter and let me know if you still want to come, I do hope so. Much love to all,
Erma M. Winfrey
************************************************************
Editor’s note: This letter has been edited to include paragraph breaks.
Transcriber’s note: In this letter Erma indicates that she has moved to San Francisco and is catching up with a lot of lost contacts, addresses, etc. And as with her other letters, she repeats the same stories about miracle healings, Jones being bombed in his bus. as well as repetitive description of the “Promised Land” preparations. By this time, she is only a few months from departing for Guyana in 1977 but she doesn’t indicate that she’s actually going to leave the country.
One of her comments displays the way she corrects herself:
We have many wonderful young and old people alike, and we all work together, Senior Citizen I should say, excuse me.
She feels compelled to correct the fact that she says “old people” instead of “Senior Citizen.” She even adds, “excuse me.” If I could speak to her today, I would say, “well, Erma, you don’t need to excuse yourself, I’m not the word police. Or the thought police.” Today, we’d call her behavior “political correctness.” This diabolical trend of pressuring people to only use phrases and words that are approved of by whatever the “leader” decrees is a toxic way to live.
Jim Jones hated “fascism,” yet he was a fascist in his behavior. Her remark shows the control she was living under, that even a simple, ordinary remark had to be corrected so that she’s complying with the wording that Jim Jones demands.
To many people, these may seem like small observations, but they are important to point out, because they illustrate the mind control she was subjected to. This is how it starts. Demanding that people use particular words or phrases so that they won’t be punished or sent to a camp, or sent to the Gulag. This is how you lose your freedom, by bits and pieces, a word here or there. And this is how Erma lost her freedom and her life.
Another comment that absolutely leaps off the page is this one:
I cannot see how He stands us. We are such ungrateful Beastly people.
This remark illustrates the way Erma and others in Peoples Temple were being denigrated and made to feel that they were “ungrateful” or even “beastly.” As we know, Jones frequently berated the members, abused them, and screamed at them. This is terribly sad and shows the extent to which she was being dragged down by the negative atmosphere. It’s the brainwashed captive who agrees with everything the captor says about them.
At the bottom of the letter the name “Sister Walli” refers to a former Fountain of the World friend of Erma’s.
The letter from December 17 1976 is the last letter that I have. She went to Guyana in the summer of 1977, and never wrote again as far as I know. Once she arrived in Guyana, she probably wasn’t able to write anymore due to the censorship and control happening in Jonestown.
December 17, 1976
My Dearest,
My, my, my how long I have tried to get in touch with you, I called you on the phone in early summer while in L.A. for a few days, then I moved to San Francisco, CA and have been out of touch with you and so many others, as all my addresses were lost, misplaced, or something. How I [illegible word] moving. Darling, somehow you seem so close to me, just maybe I should not say this, but stupid me, I do. How are you all healthwise?
I shall always hold the thought in my mind you all should have made an effort to meet Jim Jones. He is the Greatest since Master Krishna. Now, He has done so much more than our precious Master Krishna, as He has so much more power and energy. He has performed all the things that Jesus did when He was on earth, hear me I said all. Now there are a number that have been with Him 27 years I think they say, such people are school teachers, registered nurses and many more Big Wheels and they have seen water turned into wine. The man that lives in the same house that I do saw this and he said to me, Erma it was the best wine I ever tasted, also there are those that saw him walk on the water in Mexico on the beach there and countless other things but the Best of all He has the wisdom of the ages.
Now, I shall relate you what he done for me, first He healed my mind, next saved me from a severe heart attack, then I had a severe heart attack on the bus, they carried me in the church and the nurse that was attending me said Erma, you actually died, had it not been for Pastor Jones you would be dead and buried. He is the one that He’s brought you back to life. He saved me from two strokes which would have left me a vegetable. Healed me from a stomach cancer which my Mother died with, many more healings I have received that I was not called out for. With my own eyes I saw and heard a man speak that had never spoken, because his mother had the measles and she was pregnant with him, his sister said, he had never spoken a word, but I heard him speak. Pastor Jones worked with him until he could say I Love You. This I heard and saw, saw the withered arm and hand healed before my eyes. I could go on and on relating these things, no end to them.
Really, he can do anything but fail. People have tried to poison him three or four times since I have been in the church, they put a bomb under His bus where He and His wife and some more people slept. One night it burned down to where it should have exploded. The police came and removed it from under the bus. The truth is too plain and honest and the people just can not stand it. He is aware of all those that are trying to do harm to Him. The people that have suffered the most, He knows it and so he tries to help them. I should help them. We have many wonderful young and old people alike, and we all work together, Senior Citizen I should say, excuse me.
Peoples Temple purchased 27000 acres of pure jungle land in South America and have missionaries over there farming and building and send tons of food to those poor people that are hungry and starving. The Church has sent money to so many hungry and needy people and entire families. We are an interracial group, color is of no value, we are all one race and one people and identify ourselves as such. Just imagine this if you can in less than four years we have all kinds of fruit producing over there right now such as bananas, grapefruit, oranges, avocados, so many other fruits, coconuts and garden vegetables outside of those we know about that are delicious and wonderful. We have thousands of chickens laying now some of them, hundreds of hogs and pigs, milk cows, you name it and we have it. They are building over there, we have our own generators for light and power, we have a saw mill to make our lumber Occasionally, Pastor Jones and some of those that travel with Him go over on business and they take movies of the things they are doing. The beautiful flower of all kinds, the most beautiful and colorful birds, all sorts of wild animals, Really its beautiful much more than one would think of it being. Peoples Temple have their own which they carry the food to the hungry, we have all kinds of tractors and farming equipment. All kinds of power that cut down these big trees.
Pastor Jones works only 24 hrs a two and three days straight, I only wish that your little family was a part of us. and in reality, I feel you should be. You folks have done so many good things for yourself and your such good people at heart, I feel like its meant for you to give complete dedication to a principle like this one. Of course, understand this, this is only Erma speaking and expressing her stupid self. Everything is just so different from anything you have ever been in, it’s like being in a new world. But I love this and would never be satisfied anywhere else. But listen to this, I had to learn and understand as I went along, and its mighty sweet to me now. About six or eight hundred or more of us live here in S.F. and close places around.
If ever you would like to come, wrote to some of our Church secretaries and do a little asking of questions, we do not have everyone coming in all the time as we used to, the Church is too large. We have certain times for people to come see the very good and wise things we do, not just for Peoples Temple but for peoples in the world. How do you like me now since I have exploded, expect you are saying to yourself, I expect you are quietly saying under your breath, I am so tired Erma and I wish I had not heard about this Jim Jones. The wisdom and the work in these tragic times are so wonderful, one would actually be surprised to know so much of. would like to hear a bit.
I am very sleepy now so I will have to quit. Here are a few of the things we do, Please have a Happy Healthful Holiday season Pleae give love to your family, also I mean your daughter and her husband and babies. I am beginning to write foolish and make mistakes. I really love you all too darn much. Send me your number, I will call you some time if you pay for it. Nervy aren’t I. I cannot charge to the phone here. I was down to 140 lbs. but I am gaining again but I must lose it. Hard on my legs and feet for rheumatoid arthritis it’s the worst kind they say. I have truly had my suffering if I had not been in this work I would be in a wheel chair, Dr, said I should be. But I just cannot give up and resort to a wheelchair. I have really full strength and energy from our Leader, He gave it all to us, I cannot see how He stands us. We are such ungrateful Beastly people. Love to all, and Hug and Kiss to each one,
Erma
got the address from precious Sister Walli
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Transcriber’s note: I could say a lot more about various things in these letters, but perhaps by providing this commentary it helps the reader to understand a bit more and gain some insight. It is my hope that her letters will help researchers and historians who study Jonestown to understand more about how people like Erma were manipulated and controlled, leading to such a tragic result.