Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Alice Ingram
EE-2-b-2a
Jim:
The following background may prove helpful:
Leona’s [Collier] description of Nelma the sister that is coming to visit. She is selfish, vicious, cared about no one and has no conscious [conscience]. She stated that she caused the death of her first child that Leona was taking care of. (I don’t remember the details.
She caused the family the worst scandal by lying saying the man Leona was working for at the time was the father of the child. Lied to them (the family) and everybody else. The story made the Jet Magazine as I recall. The man was white and rich.
Never took care of Valerie. Valerie was very ill about a year ago. Leona called her. She told Leona that Val is grown, now she have to take care of herself.
And one time Leona
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EE-2-b-2b
went to the DA office to keep her away from the house because of a dress, the sister threatened to kill Leona.
Leona is very close and protective of her family. I think they all are of each other except for this one sister.
Leona predicted that if Valerie come here her sister would use the excuse to visit although she could care less about Val or PT. Leona didn’t want Valerie to come before she was able to come and bring Africa because of this problem but statements were made in SF that Leona didn’t let her relatives go to Jonestown. She also made the statement that Valerie was selfish and spoiled and would not think of the family first.
I once said to Leona that maybe her sister would change. She said after all she has done and never said she was sorry to any of us she
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EE-2-b-2c
will never change.
Leona said if anything ever happened here and I was here and she was in the states to tell you (Jim) that she would not take the blame for Valerie or what she caused but she said I make this promise, if Nelma cause Jim into trouble, I’ll bury her and the family would have to live with it.
I have met her sister a few times. Rennie, John Harris also. Maybe others have also. I think we need to be very aware. She’s the type that will question things, [illegible word] sweet phony type. Can be likeable if she wants to be.
I would have written this before now but I just got Leona’s letter last night. The letter sounded as if Leona hasn’t changed very much.
I think Georgetown should be friendly, and very, very
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EE-2-b-2d
careful.
I think Rose should make sure Valerie gets Leona’s letter right away. She said someone told her that she had one.
I also heard Doris Lewis was in Georgetown from the states. Before I left she was negative and gossiping.
P.S. Jim, mail from states should be moved faster at possible. I like to answer letters because people there need to hear from people here and know they are receiving mail.
Rita said Rose just keep letters until she is ready to give them out.
Alice [Ingram]
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Jeff Carey
EE-2-b-3
Letter from Jeff Carey
I think Gene [Chaikin] has a big mouth and also cannot be trusted. I question why he wanted to go in the bush so bad (obviously).
I believe that it might be good strategy – if you are convinced that Ricky will or has committed suicide not to notify anybody. But at this point I think it’s too late.
First of all a person may tell and rake this up, and Amerindian might find the body. And last of all a potential traitor could take a precedent to hide up in the bush with food until people figure he’s dead and then assuming the body has been notified go and catch the plane.
I think you must notify the government of this, if only on the QT at high levels and still perhaps then bring in Jupiter [Wilfred Jupiter, the foreman of the Guyanese crew that helped build Jonestown] to search as he can do better than the Army anyway. Thus we can leave it up to Burnham how far he wants to commit himself and then figure out what you want to tell everybody here and also Jupiter after this consultation.
Jeff C.
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Undated Statement on Jim Jones’ Pain from Loretta Chavis
EE-2-b-4a
Loretta Chavis
Dad, some of the pain that I think troubles you are 1. Getting our family here from states. 2. Worrying about the class enemies that left this great movement & now are trying to destroy all of us here, Tim Stoen, Murdels [Mertles], [Mike] Cartmell, Cobbs, etc. 3. Lack of concerns & [illegible word] that about 80% show in this community, people not keeping community clean & beautiful, people wasting supplies & not working hard as all of us should.
4. Wondering who is going to be the next one to leave the movement & start shit like Debbie Blakey & others. 5. Providing the $1500 expense for all of us here in Jonestown. 6. Trying to keep your blood pressure & blood sugar level normal. 7. Just knowing that 3 out 4 babies in the world are starving. 8. Trying to eliminate anarchism in this community, so that all will protect Marxist-Leninist practice & theory. 9. Trying to organize every department & keep production high, so that we can get all our people here & others that will be coming with a nuclear bomb hits USA. 10. Educate all so that we can be sensitive, so that we can know & understand suffering and pain of our black brothers & sisters all over the world.
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EE-2-b-5a
Letter to Jim Jones from Mary Lou Clancey, August 1978
Aug 2, 78
To: Dad
From: MaryLou [Clancey]
Re: Negative remarks by me
Jim,
I am one person who Carolyn Kirkendall’s self-analysis evoked a feeling of guilt in. I have always had very passive pattern of not reporting myself when I fuck up. Her open admission put me to shame. One thing I recently did was talk very negatively the several people about the dentist Dr. Ng-A-fook in Georgetown. I have a very bad and painful experience with him when he “removed” my wisdom tooth – with an excessive amount of leaving for more than 12 hrs following. So. Instead of keeping my fat selfish mouth shut and reporting it to you I indulged in a big case of self-pity and told several people about my bad experience. This obviously included criticizing Dr. Ng-A-fook very strongly – I went so far as telling those in Georgetown there refused to go back to him to stop the bleeding. Some of the people I told were: Maria [Katsaris], Joan [Pursely], Evelyn L. [Leroy] (in G’town) also the people who were with me in the dentist’s office. I made some remarks to such as Pat Rhea, Lillie Victor, Joyce Douglas & Tim Carter [marginal note addition: “Karen Layton”]. In Jonestown I told Mary Wotherspoon, Rita Lenin [Tupper], Rhonda Fortson, and I also reported it to Shanda [Oliver]. I called him a butcher.
I apologize to you because I was so well taken care of for 3 days here in the SCU before I went to Georgetown: you provided me with a full course of antibiotics, codeine, and Tylenol and ultimately saw to it that I was flown in
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EE-2-b-5b
to finish off the problem and get it pulled.
Another thing I was hostile about was that it was prearranged for me to go into the hospital and for Dr. DeCosta to do the extraction (since it was an abscess) but there was a communication breakdown when I got to Gtown and they took me to the wrong dentist.
This still does not justify my negativity!
After I came back here I saw a PR book in a quote that Dr. Ng-A-fook had put in the Guyanese Paper about Jonestown. I also realized the fact that he had provided a lot of free services to us here. I even went so far as to tell a couple people that if he was the dentist who Birdie Arnold hit that I didn’t blame her. Oh boy, I was really undercutting to you and structure. I am an extremely self-centered person. I should have excepted [accepted] the pain and use that as a lesson and been grateful that I was providing the care. People all over the world can’t afford to go to the dentist.
If you want to bring this to the floor it is all right. Undeserved public admission are talking negatively and being a self-centered, self-pity little bitch. I won’t undermine structured like this again. Thank you,
MaryLou
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Jeff Carey
EE-2-b-6a
Since I got an excellent + on the test I would like to request to work on the boat, I still have my seaman’s papers (US Merchant Marine) if they are needed. I am now working with Ray Jones as his student and would like to know more about basic refrigeration maintenance and would like to work on the engines and maintenance of the boat. Anyhow I think that it would be best for me two continuing doing maintenance work in my spare time here (including Wesley [Breidenbach] tells me he’s going to help me learn radio repair) until I could be of more use fixing the electric motors, refrigerators, & radios on the boat. I already know a little electric motor repair as a very little general mechanics.
Jeff Carey
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Jeff Carey
EE-2-b-7a – 7b
Dear Dad,
I am not going to try to take on responsibility since this appears to be what is upsetting you. This is always been the pattern that whenever I tried to get too involved I get denounced. You can find some young persons to work with Ray [Jones] and I already didn’t go to my school class today. Since the day that I saw how you reacted to me asking to work on the boat and sending out that I was learning a skill you said how you would rather some young person do this. I did not understand the meaning of the conversation we had the other night except that it it is obvious that you have some feelings against me, and that you want to build a case against me. I still wish you would show me and get it over with.
Jeff Carey
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Undated Note on Jim Jones’s Worst Pain from Millie Cunningham
EE-2-b-8
What Would Be Father’s Worst Pain
Father’s worst pain would be worrying about the burdens of the world. How the people are disobeying him. The hungry babies going to bed hungry every day.
When you think of how people are spending so much money & time for foolish things, instead of giving to the poor, the sick, & the needy.
I feel so guilty for the way I spent money on foolish things in the States. I hope to make up for what I have done wrong one day. Would like to go out & sell cakes & cookies to bring up the production.
Thank You Dad
Millie Cunningham
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Undated Note to Johnny Jones from Harold Cordell
EE-2-b-9a
Johnny Jones –
Can you get an OK on one of these suggestions to dispose of a vehicle in LA?
Thanks.
Harold [Cordell]
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Letter to Harold Cordell from Unknown Writer, May 1978
EE-2-b-9b
[Handwritten notation at top of page: “course to take on below suggestions should be also determined by value of vehicle for sale or parts, which was not stated in this memo. H. [Harold Cordell]”]
May 17, 1978
Dear Harold,
Irv Perkins wanted me to write this matter up to you to present to Dad because he feels that you have more knowledge about the car in question and how we happened to have it at this time in our possession.
It is the matter of Bill Earl Purifoy’s white Ford Van which we have been paying the registration and insurance on but which does not have a pink slip with his signature. Bill Earl Purifoy is therefore the legal owner of a car the we have been using in Los Angeles for quite some time. Ralph Jackson drove it and we had it insured under his name. We have let the insurance go and would like to get rid of the car, however we have a small choice without a legally signed pink slip.
First choice drive it out on the street and let it be impounded by the police, [Marginal note: “junk consition?”]which means that the Purifoys might get it if the letter of impound finds its way to them, which is a 50-50 thing. The second choice is to have someone call up the Purifoys and tell them that we have their car and like them to come and get it. Perhaps we could tell them it has been in Los Angeles all of this time and we didn’t realize it belonged to them. [Marginal note: “No good!”] Please find out from Dad what he wants us to do about this matter and let us know.
Thank you Comrade,
[illegible signature]
[Handwritten response: “Gene [Chaikin] suggests either:
1) have someone forge his name & get rid of it, or
2) have Mac [Jim McElvane] call Bill P. & ask him to sign a duplicate payment application because the original one he signed has been misplaced
I think his 1st suggestion would work OK. Has been done before & not likely they would protect it as, #1: it’s a PT vehicle to start with and #2: they probably don’t remember it was in his name by now. Harold
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Jeff Carey
EE-2-b-10a – 10b
To: Dad
From: Jeff Carey
Re: Point of Clarification
I’m not sure what my responsabilities are regarding the taping of the guests. If I’m supposed to remind people every time people come in, which I cannot possibly follow through, as I have no way of knowing this, also I sleep every morning and I’m busy in the afternoons and not likely to hear any announcement. If it was meant for me to take charge of organizing this, I could do this if given the responsability but this would still fall under Shanda’s [Oliver] dept, which means she would have to be told I was assigned to her to do this. Furthermore, the best I could do at this time would be to get Wesley {Breidenbach} together (tape equip) with [Mike] Prokes as I do not feel qualified to interview people without training.
If this is my job I will take it on. As it stands now I told both Lee [Ingram] as the overall troubleshooter and Shanda that this should be done and that Dad was concerned about it. I am passing this note through Carolyn Layton of troika. Also, unless I’m given further instruction and definitive responsibilities regarding this, I don’t think there’s any more I can do on this.
Jeff C.
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EE-2-b-11a – 11c
[This is likely an FBI notation]
removed because of contents & placed in portfolio FF-13
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Millie Cunningham
EE-2-b-12
Dear Dad:
Just want to thank you for everything that you done for me. When I was in the rally, I was hurting so bad, I look over at you and I got relief. Now I am ready to go back to work. They want me to come in at 5 PM. I will be late when I come in to service so I thought I would let you know and is this OK with you. Thank you for your love & concern for all of us.
I love you. Millie Cunningham
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EE-2-b-13
[Peoples Temple membership card for Terry Carter]
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Undated Note to Jim Jones from Sandi Cobb Jones
EE-2-b-14a – 14b
Father,
Would it be all right if I go to Jonestown when the boat goes next time. As far as immigration calls anybody could fill them just like I did for Debbie. I’m sure that somebody else can do a better job. As far as Tim it was unreal to think that him and I could make it this far. Nothing has changed, except he’s more cocky and I just hold it in more. I assure you that I won’t have anything going on with Albert [Touchette] because I don’t like him and I’m not going to hurt anybody again just because of my insecurities. If I can’t go to Jonestown I’ll volunteer to go back to the States and help Christine [Cobb Young] get Mona [Young] get over here, or testify against the troublemakers, or anything else. I would appreciate it very much if you would let me go.
If Christine can’t get Mona I would not want to stay here or Jonestown because I know that Mona would have been with her mom or in an institution now if it had not been for me wanting her and you fighting for it. She is my responsibility not anyone else’s, and I couldn’t deprive my mom from being with her children, this family, or this nation. So if worse comes to worse and she can’t come would it be all right if I go back and keep her. Besides socialism and you – she’s all I got.
Thank You, Sandi Cobb
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Note to Marceline Jones from Leona Collier
EE-2-b-15a – 15b
Dear Mother,
Thank you again for helping me get the straight message across to the proper understanding. Nelma Jones will arrive Tue 29th 11:30 PM. She did express today that sure like to work with Wanda King on x-rays. She said there are new things in the x-ray field as she wanted to make Wanda aware of them. Other people that I know she knows very well is
Johnnie Jones
Alice Ingram
Rennie Kice
Francine Mason and
Ava Jones.
Although I don’t know what Ava feels about her. I am saying this because T. [Teri] Buford told me Ava was unhappy about hearing she was coming although I feel that Ava will override any discomforts Julia feel about her, on the basic of the Greatest Good to the Greatest Number, especially if she realizes that as far as I know this is a peaceful visit.
Thanks again to you and the Office for everything.
Peace, Leona Collier
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Patty Cartmell
EE-2-b-16a – 16j
[Editor’s note: The numerous spelling and grammatical errors in this note have been corrected. There are several unintelligible sentences which have been transcribed as written.]
Dear Jim,
Thanks again for the trust you have placed in me.
I really have wanted this confidence and “I will not disappoint you.”
As far as jail I’m not worried at all. That was a momentary thought. Frankly, I know I would do better than before.
There isn’t too much in life one can be certain of. I do know that I care for you, Patricia [Cartmell], Tyrone [Cartmell], & communism! I’m not politicized as I need but I swear I’m trying!
I feel bad about the store – Rhevina [Rheavianna Beam] hasn’t enough to last for two more weeks. I told Hugh [Hue Fortson], but it takes a while to get stuff & [Mike] Prokes keep saying there’s no money.
If I could ever get the cooperation I know absolutely I’ve could made 10,000 a week, but we have got to have clothes & recorders.
People here have held back clothes, sheets, jewelry – there are duffel bags of shit hidden away. It makes me sick the way people hide stuff – but there the loosen on fruit & money.
I appreciate Kay [Nelson] project but had I once got the effort from the people to make clothes, spreads & items for store we would have made a fortune!!
Ruby [Carroll] has made the job for us difficult. She is incompetent for the job & wasteful as hell with good material!
Rhevina said Ruby has wasted crates at least 5 crates of material with foolish – making pajamas for kids – even the [illegible word] wondered why we use new cloth for stuff. Sheets have still been cut up for clothes. We got a dress from a new sheet – Sheet was worth 40 – 50 & dress was worth $10.00. Just stupid shit like that!
I don’t feel Kay will push Ruby for us – Like, she will – when it’s Kay who needs the all-out project, Kay will push. I’ve not been able to get 1 broom from Ken to get orders on. I ask Ruby for a moneky to get orders in Kamaka for Xmas & she has an excuse so I can’t take orders unless we get a moneky – & if Guyana store sells moneky for $18.00 – I’m sure Kunaka – I could get $25.00.
I didn’t mean to go into a monologue, but I so wanted to make a go of the place. I’m sure my motives are not pure & I want your approval – that whatever – I still know we needed the money.
Thanks again for your confidence on this trip. I would never knowingly misuse that trust.
I do care, for all my faults.
Take care – I’ll miss you – love my girl. Take care of yourself & tell Patricia how dearly she is needed & loved!!!
Bye until–
Your commander (Patty [Cartmell])
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Undated Note to Jim Jones from Don Casanova
EE-2-b-17a – 17d
[Editor’s note: The numerous spelling and grammatical errors in this note have been corrected.]
Dad –
From Don Casanova
Just some thoughts in retrospection. When I arrived in Jonestown 16 months ago, Jonestown was known in the gossip circles as Joyce and Charlie’s [Touchette] kingdom, mainly because they had absolute control on everything. Also the way they treated people (sadistic attitude in discipline, [illegible word], special treatment, etc.).
Anyway the main point is they had total control. Personally I believe they enjoyed this controlling everyone’s life. Because when you came out to Jonestown and started changing this administration they became threatened. A lot of the negativity started at this time because of them. At the time, the finger of negativity was pointed at Charlie. But I’ve always felt Joyce had something to do with it. She always came off so clean and innocent. Anyway, she was always giving special privilege to those she liked. (I don’t know about Patty [Cartmell].)
When the new administration started, she was not immediately put into a post. There was a notable change in attitude, but settle down after becoming administration of kitchen. She normally was nasty with most people.
Now when all the talk started about going to Russia, there was an element that didn’t want to go. I believe both Charlie and Joyce were part of this. [Illegible word] (Last night 10 minutes before you talk about opposition going to USSR, Charlie told me and Mike P. [Prokes] he didn’t want to go because of the weather here. But nobody stood up to challenge you when you asked.)
It seems to me that is [if] someone would be so self-centered as to even think of living here without you, they must either be insane or hostile. [Next sentence crossed out: “This is my point if Joyce is this hostile.”]
1) When I’ve seen her prepare your food, she has tight control on it.
2) Because she’s close to Steve this would give her an area of trust.
3) * The question is, if she’s hostile enough to stay here after the group left, is she hostile enough to poison you?
I know if this was projected to most anyone it would be immediately thrown away. I believe she has this much influence.
Maybe I’m totally wrong, but it’s a possibility that I felt merited some thought.
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Undated Thank You Note to Jim Jones from Edith Cordell
EE-2-b-18
To My Only Friend
[Transliteration of Russian for “thank you”] for the lovely meals you give us. I don’t like seeing you sick and having to put up with all of us. You are the only friend we have. I look around and look at all these people you have brought over here and that alone is a very great miracle. I often think – I always think about all you have done fowr us. We just don’t deserve it.
Edith Cordell