[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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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 Note to Jim Jones from Lee Ingram
EE-2-h-6a – 6b
[Editor’s note: Some names in this memo are in code.]
To: Dad
From: Lee [Ingram]
I concur with Teri about Lil. Last night was no different than any other, couldn’t say anything civil to her. After finishing traffic said “take care” she responded, “I won’t fall into a manhole.”
Message that was given was so impractical & illogical to her yet Martha understood it & had no problem with it. As swift as Lil as supposed to be, why admit over the radio that legal action will be taken against us. Strange –
Minister Carmichael was defensive of us at meeting in Kaituma this afternoon. He was asked why our friends in Jonestown hadn’t voted in referendum – He said they are all registered but haven’t yet satisfied the years for citizenship. He went on – it’s not a matter of them not wanting to vote, they do, but have to satisfy time period for citizenship.
He also committed us for rendering service of Cudjoe, hopes we continue service – this all done publicly
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Note of Concern from Lee Ingram, September 1978
EE-2-h-28a – 28b
29-9-78
Re: Pak – apathy
From: Lee [Ingram]
A child had died a week ago or so because there was no vehicle available take child to Pakera Hosp. in the Ridge [Matthews Ridge]
Folks were content to just sit & let shit remain that way – no vehicle for emergencies –
I spoke out asking what could be done to get a vehicle – who do we see, what’s the procedure – after a few minutes they were convinced they should pursue this & have a delegation check with administration in the Ridge–
Russell [Moton] said some woman sitting next to Nurse White asked if I was trying to start trouble –
That’s it – folks are just sitting around in Kaituma with no fuel to power generator, and no food in ration store – not knowing how soon the govt boat will come in with supplies.
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