[Editor’s notes: The letters on this page derive from several sources, principally FBI Section 126 • EE-1 • Letters to Dad (G-J); FBI Section 130 • EE-2 • Letters to Jim Jones; and FBI Sections 121-123 • BB-31 – BB-32 • Tim Stoen, D Touchette.
[Insofar as possible, these letters have been arranged in alphabetical order of the writer’s last name. Unless otherwise noted, the letters retain their original spelling and grammar.
[Peoples Temple member often used old reports and documents as scratch paper, using the reverse side of these pages for their letters. We have labeled and transcribed those scratch pages which include information about Jonestown.]
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EE-2-a-13a
Statement of Joe Beam [Joseph Helle III], July 1978
JOSEPH BEAM:
RE: REGARDING MY LIFE IN JONESTOWN KIND OF MY PERSONAL THOUGHTS OR IDEAS ON WHERE I “STAND” AND FURTHERMORE THE FACT OF WHERE I STAND ON, OF EVER BEING A TRAITOR TO THIS MOVEMENT
Two points that I would say concern my background in the United States was that of anarchy and elitism. Because in the States, I (before I was in Peoples Temple), did my own thing whereas I went to movies and wasted money and did those kinds of things; concerning my life in Jonestown, first I must say that all I want to do is to be one of the workers for this movement. I know that I have also show chauvinism in my job at the library (that I previously have wrote to you). My thoughts or ideas on living a structured life, is just that meaning… There is no room whatsoever for elitism or chauvinism, more so there is no room for anarchists here in Jonestown. Where I stand concerning traitors, and the fact would I ever be a traitor: first I must say being that I am handicapped, (now that may mean nothing, being handicapped) but I can only say that first of all I would go against all my own thinking of everything I ‘stood for’ or believed, when I say the words (‘stood for’) (what I mean is everything I believed whereas you are my Leader. I would and will not become a traitor to this movement even in my so-called handicap state, because I have absolutely no ideas or thoughts of ever being a traitor, the only concern I have toward living, speaking of myself, in my position is the work for this movement and do the best I can. I spoke to my dad Jack Beam a few weeks ago about the situation of ‘death’ – I told him that I never really thought about committing revolutionary suicide or even of ever thinking about it. I also explained to us my so-called dad, that I was afraid of even the thought of torture and then I would not ever want to talk. Of course I know this much that from my being in hospitals most of my life, I know somewhat, what pain is. Jack explained to me that concerning revolutionary suicide, what would happen is that someone (speaking of the mercenaries) would have to shoot me, if they wanted me dead. My answer to Jack was just this: I would be relieved if I could or can have that done!
Concerning the subject of intellectualism:
I would never be an intellectual because although I am one time had an IQ so called, I only know that the knowledge I have it is in no way (even being my IQ was a high one), close in any way, to a person who is a so-called philosopher. An example of this is people like Mike Cartmell or even of Tim Stoen or Jim Cobb.
[Type marginal note: “Re: To make this short and to the point: I do not want to go back to the States whatsoever. Furthermore just thinking, I look at it this way, from all of the anarchistical people and of the people that have went against this movement, my only thought, it is to at least help to keep this movement going, because my only other thought would be to die here, for something I believe in!”]
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EE-2-a-13b
CIA: Since World War II – They have killed 6300 people
7-11-78: For test on the tape of Dad:
Re: Concerning people’s attitudes of doing one thing when they are really afraid of facing themselves; mouthing off and couples not showing socialist commitments; talking socialism, but not living it; there is one point that you spoke of concerning when someone goes with a girl or woman (whoever that might be) the “sister” may or could have children, and that the man or guy whoever it might be, “he” will totally forget the children. / You spoke of people wanted to go back to fight our enemies or go to America and help fight the revolution there, that is bullshit. There are people that want to go back to the capitalist system. Then again there are those who speak of being guerrillas and fighting in guerrilla warfare.
People talking about their relatives – back there that are on dope, you pointed out that if you were ready to fight you would be concerned about the children and the building of Jonestown. / Dad also pointed out that he has gave us 6 months of food supply, which costs $675,000, 1/3 of a million dollars. Concerning the people talking about the relatives, that are not in the cause but not considering what all you have done. Dad has gave us free medical care.
[Handwritten additional notes: “Beef 79% up the scale!
Family concepts = a reality
Our children have more love here in Jonestown. I have no concern for my so-called dad whatsoever because he always thought with my so-called mom and even left after divorcing – he didn’t and doesn’t mean anything to me; I haven’t seen him for 23 or more years. You spoke of the 17% rise in food.
California has passed Prop 13.
Jimmy Ingrahm’s plus voted for this. 800 people have lost jobs in San Francisco. Jimmy lost his job.
US is tired of supporting Blacks – Chicanos – Browns. This is the best place to be.
Dad spoke of Senator Brooke!
Dad spoke [of] his comrade = Steve Beko [Biko] – Martin L. King!
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Marthea Hicks
EE-2-g-3a
Dear Dad:
I have great guilt today and I am overwhelmed with seeing the realness of socialism. I deeply regret letting you and my total family down, and creating the atmosphere of mistrust. I didn’t realize the seriousness of what I have done until I began to think on your statement to me. Yes Dad, I am guilty of letting my own feeling get in front of what’s right. Now I see how subtle the traderistic [traitorous] mind is created. I have never known anything about what I wanted, and why I wanted the things I had. But Dad for the first time in a life of living bullshit, I do know what I want. I do want to be a good socialist, nothing or knowone will ever again give my path. I am grateful to you and the family for making me see the light now before many things crop up. That’s something I deeply appreciate that you can’t bullshit and become a good socialist, something I am used to
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EE-2-g-3b
I know an apologetic attitude is not enough. I must live this great mistake down, by cooperating more with others, by not letting my emotional feeling outweigh good commend sense, and by living real with others and knowing what real is with me. I have always felt that marriage was a senseless and useless way of life. I have never wanted to be married, but I was false with so many people leading them on until the last moment, then I would run out on them, causing for people to be committed to the mental wards. I was fearful of ever getting involved again with anyone because I hurt so many people needlessly, and Dad I know I feel strong about the word mistrust because someone like that can’t be trusted, but it’s the first time I look at it in the matter of trust. That’s the truth Dad. Thank you Dad. Chris had been talking with me on and off ever since I came to the Temple, but I always thought that I would live without the affair and relationship
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EE-2-g-3c
because of my past pattern. Also I thought of the great difference in our ages. Before coming to Jonestown I said will maybe I might meet someone that I could care for and that I could respect enough to spend a life with, but I wasn’t to sure. I have never had anything to do with anyone unless I got something out of it. My x father called me a whore many times before I ever had sex but it still worked out that way, and this is the first time I am facing it. Not only did I insist on money, cars, and other material things, I set up girls and convinced. them to think the same way I have a portfolio of phony information on all these girls, and they were all to be students in various fields and each one studied just enough to talk about medicine, law, building (drafts) etc. I was fortunate that I wasn’t put in jail. I was the worst: a madam. I had all kinds of girls, black, white, Indian etc. Dad I thought I was to good to turn the trick so I got others. Never could I talk about this. I am so ashamed I
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EE-2-g-3d
had no conscience at all. Then I spent time being a phony preacher getting money from poor people thinking I was doing them a service. One year I went south for a week and collected $15,000. I am guilty of so many things until I know I have a life that will not last long enough to work out of the guilds that haunt my mind.. I do know that whatever time there is I will never stand for anything else but socialism. I am grateful to you. I know I would be dead now. I have never been pimped. I always said that I was the pimp. I did think that since I had nothing to base my relationship on but pure communism that I would be different. I would have to be real with the cause myself and the person. That is why I have gone this far with Chris. I wanted to get over this part of my mind were [where] I want to hurt others and break thier hearts, using my lies and body as the weapons. I am not sure of anything except your love for the people and your truth that breaks every tie that holds us down. I am sure of Socialism, that I
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EE-2-g-3e
want to grow into the kind of person that can be real and trustworthy. This I am sure of. I am sure that I let my family down, and today I have seen how people do expect the best for me, because many here have expressed that I let them down, and that I was a real turkey. At first and even now I feel hurt, because I feel that I should not have made this mistake. It lets me see myself clearer, lets me know I am not working in the dark that I must face the truth and my family. People who want me to grow and they are not willing to stand by and see me destroying myself with false thoughts and coverups. I have been helped. I love my family. I would like all of them to know that I do apologize and I thank them all for their strong convictions that have helped me very much. I will feel ashamed until I prove myself worthy of being called a Socialist sister. I will never do what I did last time again. I do see how dangerous it is and how all traders [traitors] are born, by
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EE-2-g-3f
getting away with the type of character I expressed last night. I know it was a let down to you and everyone, even myself. I have grown from the exposure of who & what is important. I know Chris is headstrong and doesn’t consider others in his decisions, which could cause a great deal of trouble to the cause. I shall be more the person I should be from this moment on. Thank you Dad for being more enlightenment into a dark life of false dreams and lies. Each time I am able to drop off something that hinders me from being closer to pure Socialism. Thanks again Dad. I love your way of life, it is perfect, and a life we can see, one we can pattern ours by.
Your Socialist Daughter, Marthea [Hicks]
P.S. I appreciate your opening my mind with world knowledge, it helps to realize the fight we have a had us. I have never been exposed to so much knowledge of blacks all over the world. Thank you Dad.
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EE-2-g-4a
[Page writes out test questions, but has been crossed out, with a notation at bottom of page, “This is old.”]
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Undated Note to Jim Jones from Rosa Mae Hines regarding Tim Stoen
EE-2-g-2
5-19-78
Here’s what these mercenaries have done and is doing to us. Tim Stone [Stoen] is suing us for million dollars against the church. He is a hypocrite because when he left here he said he was with us, after [he] got back in the States, turned against us, told lies on Peoples Temple, just help Grace out and start working with the CIA. The Mertles they told everything went on in the Temple and added, told more lies, they stole money and was buying themselves a home or business or whatever. That’s the way I understand it. You (Father) made them bring it back. The Olivers, they was working with the CIA, they said they would get there boys dead or alive. Madlock [Wade Medlock] said he was paying someone for sending one over here to kill all of us. The Griffins tried to kill Mother [Marceline Jones], and Stone also had it set out to kill Chris [Lewis].
Rosa Mae Hines
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Note to Jim Jones from Denise Hunter, October 1978
EE-2-g-4b
17-10-78
To Dad
From Denise Hunter
I’m writing to thank you for saving me once again. I’m still not sure if it was appendix or kidneys, but it was bad and I was healed of any pain before I got to town.
I’m a pile of shit and a asshole. I don’t know why you keep doing so much.
I saw a lot while I was gone 1 week. Now, more than ever I appreciate what we have here. We are rich people in every way. Thanks to you. I know I don’t deserve any of it. Thank you for letting me be a part of Jonestown and the Revolution.
All I can say about people who try to leave here as they must be living in a make-believe world of fantasy because this is the only real thing (way of living there is)
Thanks Dad
From a pile of shit
Denise Hunter
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