[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-1-I&J-89
Undated note to Jim Jones from Anita Ijames regarding self-evaluation
Self evaluation – Anita Ijames
- I think I am still more image-conscious than what is appropriate for a socialist. I am too often hesitant to take the bad-guy position.
- I indulge myself with paranoia when I think I am being circumvented. The last time I was in G-town, I think there was a hesitation to voice opinions to me, and instead a means of cautious approach which gave vent to my paranoia. What I should have done was to deal directly with the situation myself.
- I tend not to follow simple structures – such as chores. This is an eliteist pattern that I will work on.
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EE-1-I&J-90
- I have not taken as active participation in the responsibility of leadership, even though I know you have encouraged the black members of our community to take it on. I have often promised to change, and not done so because it required me to be “different” – or so I felt this requires more self analysis, however I have been “different,” so to speak all my life, so it should not honestly be a problem.
Anita Ijames
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EE-1-I&J-189
Undated Note to Jim Jones from Archie Ijames
To Jim Jones
My Dearest Friend:
Concerning the meetings you instructed us to hold. We have not had another one. Jean Brown thought it was very constructive. But Alice did not attend and Sandy had another appointment. However Sandy was very much in opposition to your position and said that in any case she would not attend. I was very disapointed. There has been a basic mistrust of Sandy on the part of Alice & Leona concerning the way (they say) she colors her reporting.
I didn’t know Robin was leaving until this morn. So I don’t have time to write a full report. There has been no one else going before now I would have trusted to take it. But due to the reactions on the part of the two I mentioned. I almost wished I had not promised you any report. I just didn’t want to deal with the results that might follow.
I sure appreciate everything you are doing for the people. Got to get this to Robin.
Thanks,
A. J. [Archie Ijames]
P.S. Best regards to every one.
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EE-1-I & J-3
Undated Statement from Judith Ijames
I feel that it has been an honor and a privilege to be a socialist and work for a socialist cause. Socialism is worth fighting for. It is the only just society. People cannot and must not be allowed to live in a class society and a few people owning the wealth of the world while others fight and struggle for minimal existence. While still others are dieing every minute from starvation, from lack of proper medical care while children are being born every minute deformed and retarded from lack of proper maternal nutrition. A socialist society is the only means by which these autrocities & insanities can be stopped. Even though the battle for change seems so useless and never ending I feel it is worth it and pledge to do whatever may be necessary, even if it means taking my own childs life, to see that the battle for socialism is won.
Judith K. Ijames
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EE-1-I&J-120
Letter to Jim Jones from Judy Ijames, January 1978
25/1/78
To: Dad
From: Judy Ijames
I thought before Norman [Ijames] gets here I’d better find out if you have any instructions regarding how much I can or cannot say to Norman about his “activities.” I was just going to tell him how I felt about it but in view of the fact that he’ll be coming and going I don’t know if I should. To be honest I don’t feel like killing him or beating him up or anything. I have missed him and will be glad to see him. But I’m hurt and angry with him that he could do this sort of thing when we’ve been fighting for our existance here. It would be different and maybe more understandable if he hadn’t known what was going on here but he did know. Maybe I’m too trusting or too naive but
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EE-1-I&J-121
I don’t know that my confronting him would cause him to commit blatant treason. I “think” he cares enough about Maya and Tiffany not to hurt them. But I don’t know. I’ve seen a lot of people who I respected and thought would never hurt this cause do some crazy things. I’m not objective I’m sure. I just don’t want to let this pass and let him think he’s got something over. Thanks to you I’m not that passive anymore. But I will do whatever you think best. I certainly don’t want to cause you anymore trouble. While I’m writing let me say that being in Jonestown and going thru the crisis has really made me appreciate you and your love for us. I think growing up in this cause I’ve taken it for granted and never really appreciated it and you as I should. I’m sorry it has taken me so long to realize what a friend I have and appreciate you. Thank you Dad.
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Alice Inghram
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 [Inghram]
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EE-1-I&J-139
Letter from Alice Inghram to Temple members in States
Letter came mail
Hand carried (Rita Lenin [Tupper])
Gossip
Dear Rennie [Kice]; Bob; Becky; Shirley and Maude
Right now I’m so tired sloppy I don’t even know if I can get this letter done or not.
First of all Renee we aren’t shipping anything by air except people’s personal things and medications. So this box I sent share and enjoy.
Bob didn’t say how long he wanted the [illegible]. So if they too short take bottom of Ava’s which are to long. (I guess)
Shirley, I don’t hear very much from you and Becky why don’t you write. I know when you and Maude visit Rennee all you do is gossip. J.J. told us how well Bob Kice was doing and about some of the marriages over there. It was good to hear his voice.
Things here are a mess as usual. Chris (Teddy) [Lewis] ended up with 2 wives. The system is still trying to rob us at the same time wear us down. We marched twice. Clevyee [Sneed] can tell you
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EE-1-I&J-140
about that. One lady told me to stick my sign up my ass. You know what it did to me to keep shoes on all day.
I’m sending Clevyee away from taped up. She will explain that to you.
Did you know Rita T sign all her letters McElvaine? Girl my ex room mate was P.O.ed (D [Doxsee Phares]). Of course Mc supose to have some thing else going. But he says all he has going is hostility. There isn’t very much going on here. I hear D Parks will be joining you guys soon. You know he had a long vacation.
I must cut off my mail lady is leaving
Alice [Inghram]
[Handwritten comments from Rita Tupper]
How does Alice know if Renee knew about Dale at all or me for that matter?
P.S. – I am upset about this gossip as I used the name because you gave me permission to do so. I would never have done so if you told me not to – McElvane became natural to me as a name. As Lenin now has. I would hate to think they are classing me as a Constance Harris (Just using someone’s name etc) I never have given any one the impression there was an romance connected with it. Never. I don’t understand Alice spreading news or adding to it. Why would Doxsee be pissed without finding out why. I don’t care who Mac relates to, that’s his problem. I would only hate for him to loose his way (from this cause) Hope this can be explained somehow.
Rita
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EE-1-I&J-114
Undated note to Jim Jones from Ava Inghram
To Father
Father we opened the service with song and gratitudes. Father then you told us about the racism in the States and how their putting up signs saying everyone should own a nigger. You also said that Chicago, Illinois, Indiana would be some of the worst riot break outs. And along with that sign they should fat black people. You also mentioned that some of us wish we were at home back in the states but we don’t know whats going on. Then the two brothers asked to get off their hard hats and you test them they passed it. Father they didn’t really pass it but you were loving enough to ask them questions about the service incase of lack of education taught which that was the capital teachers fault. Then we talk about ideas for the new facilities for the family [faded word] and we had a short meeting afterward. [faded word] did mention something about [faded word]
Thank you Father for bringing me here.
Ava J. Inghram
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EE-1-I&J-124
Undated noted to Jim Jones from Ava Inghram
Dear Dad,
The reason I wasn’t in agriculture meeting is because I worked until 11:00 that night in dorm 1 with the teaching crew but I have attended all the other meetings but 2. But when ever I’m not working till 11:00 I will be there.
Dad my feelings about mas suiside. Dad to me mas suiside is a waste because it seems like such a waste of children and seniors. But I think it would be better to kill them than to see the facist take them alive. I think that we should try to use the seniors and children in the revolution. I am trying think of ways to use them before they go.
Maybe the can start everything a fire and make sure we don’t leave the fascist any food or good useful properties.
My way to get Tim Stone is two dress as an aunt Jane buisness lady at any buisness place. Call Tim Stone in acting as a secratary tell him to [go] there then call him in to the deserted office and slit vein in the neck with a piece of bauxite.
An idea: Since we are short on amunition. I was thinking of getting a sharp peice of bauxite and we couldn’t even have buy any just use the scraps that we have laying around here. It is sharp enough to cut a finger and give stiches so it should be sharp enough to cut a throat.
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EE-1-I&J-125
I don’t know how to go about doing this but just an idea. I will be thinking of ideas.
Thank you Dad
From Ava J Inghram
Also if one night some of nurses can name the parts of the body that when you cut it will kill immediately like the neck jugular vein etc.
Thank you
Dad
My self critisim. I need to quit trying to be the good guy with the teaching crew. it causes divisions. I need to critisize to my comrades face and stop gossiping because I know you hate that plus I know its wrong.
Thank You
Dad
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