Q326 Summary

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 (Pt. 1, Pt. 2).
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FBI Catalogue:           Jones Speaking

FBI preliminary tape identification note: Labeled in part “SAT Oct 21 SUN Oct 22”

Date cues on tape:     Specific references to “Saturday” and to “Sunday, October 22”

People named:

Bible verses cited:      None

Summary:

(Note: This tape was transcribed by Vicki Perry. The editors gratefully acknowledge her invaluable assistance.)

Made over the course of two days in late October 1978, this tape has several separate segments, although the pauses between them – and the difference in Jim Jones’ tone when he starts up again – may be a matter of minutes rather than extended periods of time. All of them appear to be as separate messages, however, since they all end with Jones’ usual farewell of thanks and love.

Although there is some overlap among the sections, there are three distinct subjects which Jones covers: He reads letters from people in Jonestown in Part I; Part II is a reading of the news; and Parts III through V consist of a series of announcements with instructions, warnings, and promises before a guest from a Guyana cultural ministry arrives.

The majority of Part I focuses on several letters of confession, appreciation, or suggestions which Jones has received in from community members. In one, a resident recommends relieving a teacher of his classroom responsibilities, because the teacher is a sex addict and has had problems working around children. The writer admits to having been a drug addict once herself until the Temple saved her, and recognizing the difficulty which the young man faces. Jones describes the letter as honest and refreshing, and concurs with the recommendation.

Other letters report on progress with the problems in Jonestown’s wells, express gratitude for helping a broken leg heal as quickly as it did, and warn people who plan to cross the border into Venezuela about the mortal dangers facing them.

The section ends with the announcement that the following day – Sunday – will be a half day of work, although Jones follows it with a request to spend the balance of the day “beautifying the area” in anticipation of the arrival of important guests. As he does elsewhere, Jones acknowledges that he does not want to schedule days off very far in advance.

In Part II, Jim Jones reads the news. Among the items he covers:

As is the case with most of the newscasts in Jonestown, Jones mixes in commentary of his own along with the news, which comes principally from Soviet and Eastern Bloc sources. The item on the Somali criticism of Cuba and the USSR, for example, continues with a criticism of Somalia in terms which are familiar by now to Jonestown: “The Somalian leader . praised the United States, Western Europe and China for giving his country economic aid in his imperialist expansionist designs on Ethiopia. [The] United States representative at the ceremony said he expects to discuss the possibility of military intervention and aid to Somalia in their aggressive design on … Eritrea.”

Even Jones’ choice of items to report depends upon lessons he wishes to press upon his followers. Less than a week after issuing lengthy instructions, which include a warning about the changes in behavior during a full moon, he reads an item about a scientific study which concludes, “Full moon may help medical doctors to predict coronary.” Jones agrees with language almost identical to his week-old instructions. “[B]eing that we’re made of ninety-eight percent water, much does occur that affects us.”

The section ends with several themes which are carried through the last three parts, comprising the last quarter of the tape. A local Amerindian boy was bitten by a poisonous snake, but the medical staff in Jonestown has reduced the swelling and saved the child’s life. Jones repeats the news several times in reminding people that, even though they’ve never had snakes in Jonestown, they should still be on the lookout. He also lauds the medical staff for treating up to 300 people from surrounding areas each week, including the Amerindian boy.

Jones reiterates the need to beautify Jonestown for the incoming guests, and to continue to work on the various projects which bring in money. He is especially hopeful about the doll-making enterprise, which has a distributor who “has promised to buy every one we make.” And they need the money, he says, not only for themselves but to support the medical clinic.
The issue of money arises again near the end of the tape when he thanks the visiting doctors who have given eye examinations to Jonestown’s residents. The exams may have been donated – “The doctors are trying to be helpful for us. We’re so grateful to these wonderful gentlemen who understand what freedom’s about and yet have a humanitarian concern” – but the glasses they prescribe are not. He does not begrudge the glasses, but he demands that people be responsible for them. “It’s not fair to lose the expensive glasses . in a cooperative arrangement, where everything is provided, free medicine, free dental care, free everything.”

FBI Summary:

Date of transcription: 6/20/79

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 June 3, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B93-66. This tape was found to contain the following:

News of the day and commentary by JAMES JONES, on current events of October 22.

JONES speaks of administrative concerns regarding Jonestown (i.e. a. Removal of a teacher because he is a sexual addict. b. JONES states that he is a drug addict. c. Water report – a sulphur problem

Differences with FBI Summary:

There is one correction: Jones’ statement about being a drug addict comes from a letter to him from Teresa King. In addition, the summary seems to be based upon the first five minutes of tape rather than a complete hearing. Otherwise, the summary is accurate and meets the FBI’s purposes.

Tape originally posted May 2009