Summary prepared by Fielding M. McGehee III. If you use this material, please credit The Jonestown Institute. Thank you.
To read the Tape Transcript, click here. Listen to MP3.
To return to the Tape Index, click here.
FBI Catalogue Unidentified Individuals Speaking
FBI preliminary tape identification note:
Date cues on tape: Jonestown
People named:
Bible verses cited: None
Summary:
This tape consists of a short statement by Native American Temple member Jose Simon, who speaks partially in English, partially in his Native tongue. After a general description of the treatment he received before he joined the Temple, he offers a couple of sentences – equally general – about life in Jonestown. “This place is a better place… I’m happy.”
FBI Summary:
Date of transcription: 6/12/79
In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States.
On May 30, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B93-21. This tape was found to contain the following:
Statement by an old man in what appears to be an American Indian dialect interspersed with English telling about how glad he is to be in “this place”.
Differences with FBI Summary:
The summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.
Tape originally posted January 2019.