[Editor’s notes: The letters on this page derive from several sources, principally FBI Section 126 • EE-1 • Letters to Dad (K-M); 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 Thank You to Jim Jones from Zuretti Langston
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Dad there is no words to express the love, you give to all of us. I can say thank you again and again, and that’s still not enough. But I’ll say it again. Thank you Dad for saving Marianita [Langston] life again.
Zuretti Langston
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Karen Layton note to Jim Jones, Spring 1978
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To: Jim
Fr: Karen [Layton]
Thursday
Terri Carter – I overheard Terri telling Debbie Blakey that there was a lot of pressure on people in Jonestown. She said there were meetings practically every night that you had to go to. First she said there was a meeting every night, and then as she went over each meeting every night, she said she guessed that we had two nights off each week. She said to Debbie B., “It’s really bad.” Debbie B.’s response was “Barf.”
Terri told Debbie B. and myself that there was a lot of pressure to know the news all the time. She said you were constantly tested and people were asked at random in public meetings to answer questions, and you were quite embarrassed if you didn’t know the news. I just said that I really wanted to know the news, because in town we hardly heard any except what we read in the Chronicle. Terri said once she was asked and she didn’t know the answer.
I felt Terri was just mouthing off like a lot of people do who come in from Jonestown. People like to tell us in town what is going on with the discipline out in Jonestown, but they rarely tell us all the really great things that are going on too. Jack is great for telling disciplines too. Patty C. [Cartmell] started telling about some people in trouble and I stopped her and said I was tired of people in town always getting one side, and not the positive, because the one side is really put into perspective, and I didn’t know who it might effect. So Patty stopped and started telling about some good things happening. (Not that discipline isn’t good, when I think you know what I mean.)
I find Terri Carter emotional and somewhat hard to deal with. She gets quite bitchy at times, and responded to things at times like Debbie Blakey. I guess that’s another reason why I didn’t note Debbie B.’s attitude so much, because Terri Carter didn’t seem that different to me. Although Terri does have a concern about things, which Debbie seemed to show disinterest in in the end.
I caught Linda Mitchell in a couple of lies the other day. She had gotten the chicken I had bought for the guests out of the kitchen and was on her way downstairs with it when Joan [Pursley] asked her what she was doing with it. She said, “Karen asked me to bring it to her.” Joan told me about it and I asked Linda about it and she lied. (She did bring it to me because she had no other choice.) That was when Dr. Thain was there. Then recently Rhonda [Forston] told me that Linda said to her then I included for them all to go to the beach because I wanted to go myself since I had not gotten to go the night before. (This was a ridiculous lie – I never said any such thing.) Also, Daisy [Lee] told me that Linda told her that I had cleared it for them to go procure show tickets so they could go to the show. So I confronted Linda the other day about all of these things. She said all 3 people were lying on her. I said I didn’t believe they were. She had tried to say that Erin [Eichler] that said I said I wanted to go to the beach, and Erin was there and said that wasn’t true too. Rhonda was right there and said “you did say that Linda,” and I was sure Rhonda and Erin were not lying. Then Terri, who had been sitting there listening and saying nothing, blasted at me and said that I had no business, or something like that, using Joan’s name since Joan
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was not even there. I said yes, but I had discussed it with Joan before and Linda before and Linda knew what I was talking about. But Terri continued, instead of giving support to what I was trying to say, to confront me about Joan. So I dropped it. Then Linda came in the hall and said it was true what Joan had said, but that Rhonda and Daisy were not telling the truth. I just said I didn’t wish to discuss it with her privately. I called Terri in to talk to her privately, and said that I didn’t appreciate her confronting me when I was trying to confront someone who was obviously trying to manipulate situations by using my name. She was somewhat pissy at first, and said that she had seen the situation with Daisy and Linda had only been teasing her by using my name. (However, if she was teasing as Terri said, Daisy believed it and went and got dressed to go.) I said that I knew that Rhonda and Joan had not been lying, and it was obvious to anyone that Linda was out of line. Finally she said half heartedly that she could see what I was trying to say. I told her when she disagreed with me, she should tell me privately and not confront me when I am trying to straighten up situations in the house.
Another situation came up over Jimmy [Jim Jones Jr.] that I should probably mention, as you might have heard about it. I happened to hear that Jimmy was going around town by himself making contacts with bands and places to perform. I had understood he was going to be doing this with Tim, and when I heard he had been by himself, I thought it was greatly unwise. 1) I felt Jimmy was not safe to be anywhere by himself considering mercenaries and enemies. 2) I felt if someone verbally attacked him or whatever, they might give him upset to violence which could get him hurt or cause problems for him and us, since there are people around who are hostile to us. 3) I felt anything he said – being your son – could be used against us, even more than what some other PR people might say. 4) We have been told to go in 2’s and not make PR contacts by ourselves. 5) I felt he was quite young and inexperienced.
I had no problems with Jimmy in town, and his attitude was helpful and cooperative. So when I brought this up in a meeting that I felt he shouldn’t be going out by himself, I was just trying to make a point. I was not attacking him or even confronting him really. I said I didn’t feel I should have been told that he was going out alone, but I felt this was Tim’s fault too that I had not known. I got no support from anyone in the room on this point. When I asked Sharon her opinion later, she said that she didn’t think Jimmy would make any more mistakes than I would make (referring I’m sure to my blunder with Blackman’s son which I know she already told you about.) I thought she did say I might have a point about the danger. She said you praised Jimmy on the radio for doing so good getting places to play for the band. I said I wished I had been told so that perhaps I would not have made a big deal about Jimmy not being by himself (though I still was not convinced that you would want him by himself.)
Anyway, I wanted you to know my reasoning for it, and it wasn’t because I was trying to put Jimmy down. Jimmy was actually helpful and I enjoyed him being there. Also, the next day I dropped him off alone downtown to pick up some printing for us. He asked me to so I did, and I wasn’t about to say anything about it at that point.
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Jack Beam – I feel Jack is extremely negative, though I believe he always has been. I think he likely prefers it in town and will probably try to stay in. He makes little remarks all the time which show me he’s not in agreement with what is happening. I can’t even remember all of his remarks but for instance, I was reading a news article the other day and he walked by and said something to the effect that I must be worried I am going to get tested on it like we do in Jonestown.
When Richard [Janaro] and Jack were put off on the boat and told to wait till Terri B. [Buford] came in, Jack was so hostile he said ‘I feel Like Killing Someone.’ Of course he was just mouthing off, but I’m not so sure he didn’t mean it, and his hostilities certainly were not directed at our enemies. He was constantly making remarks about the boat – being put on stand by, that we had to have everything cleared by Harriet [Tropp] and Gene [Chaikin], etc. The night they were told Terri was coming in, Richard came to me and said he was wondering if he could take Jack out somewhere because he was so upset he was just pacing the floor – take him out to get something to drink like a coke, and that frankly, he (Richard) was upset too. I told Richard the next day that I thought he and Jack fed each other’s negativity, and that I felt it was up to Richard to show principle and not fall into Jack’s negative bag. Richard agreed.
I went one day with Jack and Richard to meet the man who owns the boat and tell him that we were waiting on our secretary to come in from the interior. They kissed this guy’s ass so bad I was really surprised. They kept saying how sorry they were, how great a man he was, how they couldn’t remember when they had done business with anyone nicer, that he was so patient with us, etc. I tried to tell them later when they were complaining to me that we shouldn’t be putting this man off because he had gone so far out of his way for us by giving us the crew and the insurance, etc., I told them that they sounded like the guy was a humanitarian instead of a business man, and that the reason he had gone so far out of his way for us was because he wanted our money, our American money. They disagreed, and said he could have gotten §170,000 if he had wanted, but he liked us and wanted to help us. I continued to disagree with them, but finally dropped the conversation when they continued to argue.
I basically like Richard in terms of liking to work with him because he is consistent, dependable and follows through on things. He pushes and gets things done. I don’t know who could possible replace him if he were brought in. I felt he was very dependable with the books also and seemed to be on top of everything as far as I could tell. However, Debbie T. [Touchette] told me just before I left that the bank had called her 3 times about overdrawn checks, and she wondered what Richard was doing.
I frankly think Debbie is threatened by Richard’s efficiency, and there’s something in her that would like to see Richard look bad. However, she might be right about the checks – I don’t know. I only heard this the day I left and I didn’t have time to look in to it.
One thing I can say about Richard is that he cleared things with me before he did them; he always was accountable as far as I know for his time. He and Jack and Ujara [Don Sly] went to the show a few times, but Richard always asked if they could go out and procure tickets to go. They never paid for tickets that I know of. I never let anyone go to the show the time I was there and pay for it other than for the guests, and Helen [Swinney] when she was there. I never went to a show myself, nor did Tim Carter or Debbie T. and some of the PR people.
Jack continually makes his sexual jokes which really piss me off. I simply can’t stand him. He makes remarks to Erin about Gregg all the time, and he really likes to put her down. Also, he started on Terri Jones about how she was ‘dancing’ with Lew and got her baby. Whenever myself or anyone else has tried to confront him, he’s gotten hostile and then later made digs at us in terms of hostile joking.
Jack and Debbie Blakey were always joking around together, and they really pissed me off because I could never get a meeting through at night without them making alot of jokes and interrupting what I was trying to do. They also liked to play around together like they were doing karate, playing and sometimes even wrestling. Also, one day when I said something about Jack on the radio – I said he acted like he was an authority on something – Debbie jumped down my throat real hostile and nasty and told me I was being so two-faced and why hadn’t I confronted Jack to his face if I thought that. What it was is that we had gotten an order for 54 barrels, but when I gave it to Jack and Richard, he said they did not need them because our new shipment just out of Customs had barrels in them, so forget the order. The next morning Paula gave me the same order over the radio, and I told her that Jack had said we didn’t need them and why, so she went and checked and came back and said we did need them, so I said that Jack had acted like he was an authority on it.
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Continued on Jack
Jack never asked directly where Debbie B. was, but he did ask me what was going on. I just said I thought Stoen had stirred up some shit, and that Debbie Blakey had gone to England and that Terri Buford and Maria were going to join her there. I said I thought it had something to do with finances (this was the message Tim C. gave me to say from the radio, tho Paula told me out here it was the wrong place – it was supposed to be Europe instead of England.) Anyway, Jack seemed to buy the story and didn’t say any more.
Rhonda asked me about Debbie. She and Debbie B. seemed close. When I got up that first morning and asked where Debbie was, Rhonda is the one who said she saw Debbie out at the airport. That day we told her later she was over with Mrs. DeCosta who was sick. That next night she woke me up late at night after coming home, from the airport to ask me where Debbie was. I told her the same story about, going to England. She said had been worried because when she had asked if some of them could go to the beach, Debbie T. told her that Jim didn’t want anyone going anywhere away from the house. I just told her I didn’t know anything about that message – which I didn’t at the time – and that it wasn’t even related to Debbie I was .sure, because I knew nothing of it. The next day I talked to Rhonda again and she seemed to be ok. I told her with the mercenaries and enemies coming over, that actually all of us should be much more careful. I don’t know if this was right to tell her, because this is the 1st I think she had heard of the mercenaries. (I didn’t realize she didn’t know.)
Gladys Boyer, told me she missed Debbie B, and that she had cried all day from missing her. I never said a word to her about it, and didn’t try to explain. Debbie B. spent a lot of time with Gladys, and rubbed her back for her alot and talked to her alot. She always talked about how “pretty and beautiful” Gladys was.
(By the way, Gladys is a very dear lady and we all grew to love her. If we ever do take in a Guyanese family, I would think she would fit right in. She is a fantastic cook, helped in the house all the time, etc.) She went home on our boat this time, and said she might come Sunday to visit.)
I made a statement to Debbie Blakey which I had no business making. I never talked anymore about Sharon to anyone after you confronted me except this one time, and I said something to Debbie B. about her. I had gotten a package with a few clothes in it from my mom, but I was embarrassed to tell anyone because Sharon A. had confronted me over asking for clothes. She had read a letter to Richard from Claire [Janaro] which said that since I had asked for some clothes for PR, she had made sure Sandy [Bradshaw] sent some down (or Alice [Ingram].) Sharon asked me about this, why I had asked for clothes when I had a whole closet of Paula’s clothes in my closet. I said first of all all I asked for where some tops, and hair conditioner, and 2nd of all I couldn’t even wear the clothes Paula had because they were too small, and Paula had taken alot of her stuff with her anyway. Sharon didn’t act like she bought my explanation and it pissed me off because she constantly asked Sandy for clothes, and every time some new people came down (most times) there was a package in there for Sharon personally. I know I wasn’t doing the heavy PR like Sharon, but I still had to go out at times in town. Anyway, when I got this package from my mom, I didn’t tell anyone, though Sharon saw me walk through the front room with it and asked me what it was and I said “a package.” Then I got embarrassed that I had gotten a couple of things that people could wear for PR and I wanted to share them, so I told Debbie I had gotten some things from my mom, and I showed her what they were and said she could wear them. Then I went on to tell her, which I shouldn’t have, that I hadn’t told anyone I had gotten these clothes because Sharon had confronted me about asking for clothes from Claire, though she had gotten things herself from states. Though I did say I knew she did do alot more PR of course, and did need things (or something like that.)
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That’s all I can really remember saying negative to Debbie, as I could never relate to her. When I said, this about the clothes, she said not one word, and I knew I had opened my big mouth again and made another mistake.
I heard Debbie Blakey and Terri Carter talked pretty bad about Sharon the night we had some seniors come in, and Debbie told Sharon she should be out of her room to give it to the seniors. She was leaving for Jonestown the next day anyway Debbie said and should have already been out of the room. Sharon said she had planned to stay in the room and type and continue packing after the seniors got there – which was late from the airport about 2 AM, and Debbie really started yelling at Sharon and said she knew she should have been out of there. Debbie got real nasty with Sharon. However, I did think Sharon should have had her stuff out, because it would have been a bit inconsiderate to stay in the room and type after they got here. I felt both of them were wrong. I didn’t say anything, but then I heard Debbie come in the room and start talking to Terri Carter about how selfish Sharon was to want to put those seniors out like that, and that she should have had the room cleared. Terri agreed, and both talked about her, though I don’t remember now what all was said, if I even heard it all. Later, Sharon told me about it and said Terri C. had come down and talked to her and kind of apologized for Debbie’s behavior. I said that was good, and didn’t say anymore. But I wondered if Terri Carter wasn’t being a bit two-faced about this too (I would certainly notice it since I was two-faced with Sharon myself and talked about her before I was confronted.)
It seemed to me that Terri Carter and Debbie were closer than the rest of us. Debbie B. seemed to relate best to Rhonda and Terri Carter, though before Terri Carter came in Debbie told me she really wasn’t close to Terri. Terri Carter told me after Debbie left that Debbie had talked about me to her, so I imagine that Terri was at least open to the talk or contributed to it.
I was wrong for not having reported the 1st conversation I heard about Terri Carter saying how much pressure there was in Jonestown. I thought it was just another stupid remark made unwittingly by someone not knowing how they might effect others, but I intended to tell you and just never got around to it. I was surprised by Terri saying this.
CRL [Christine Lucientes] told me today she hopes she never has to go back to G-town. She started the conversation on this note. Then she told me how paranoid she got in G-town, especially when Joan came in from Jonestown and told her about the Learning Crew where people walk and guard you with guns. She said she about shit, and thought my god, it must have turned into a fascist state out there. Said after she got home she saw it in perspective, but at the time in G-town she knew she had fucked up, and she was really upset and paranoid. She said Joan wasn’t being critical, but we discussed how people make stupid remarks and only give one side.
She brought up the subject of Patricia – or maybe I did. Anyway, she said that PJ really wants to go into town to work. Then she said that Patrlcia had told her recently that YOU HAD SAID YOU HAD TOLD PATRICIA THAT YOU HAD TO FUCK CHRISTINE AFTER PATRICIA LEFT TO KEEP HER IN THE CHURCH AND THAT IF CHRISTINE LEFT IT WOULD BE PATRICIA’S FAULT. (l wrote you before what I felt about PJ going into town – I’m against it. I trust Joan alot, but I don’t trust PJ.)
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Page 6
I did have an argument with Debbie Blakey when she 1st came into town. She said that there was more pressure in Jonestown than in Georgetown. This really made me mad, and I argued with her. She said that the pressure in Jonestown had increased since I had left even. I continued to say that there was free time in Jonestown, etc. that you didn’t get in Georgetown. She disagreed and said that there was always something going on that you had to go to. We never resolved the argument and I was pissed and so was she. Paula heard part of this argument. I had forgotten I had discussed this with her, and of course should have reported it at the time.
Terri Carter did tell me that there was alot of pressure in Jonestown and in Georgetown, but if she had a choice, she’d rather be in Jonestown.
One remark I remember Jack saying was he was telling several of us the other night that he had heard they had started “Men’s Classes”. Jack said he asked what they talked about at them, and someone told him they talked about how all the men were homosexual. He laughed and made a joke of some kind.
One night Debbie Blakey got very pissed and very upset because she got confronted by Paula over the telephone. Paula said to Debbie that Debbie had caused a “White Night” because Debbie had given a wrong message. Debbie had misunderstood a name given over the radio, and so we had thought that some dignatary was working against us or something. I can’t remember the details now._ I was surprised at the time that Debbie wasn’t humble, but rather just hostile and upset. Said it wasn’t her fault, she couldn’t help it if Paula had given a name and she misunderstood, and that Paula should have clarified it, and spelled the name.
Everyone in Jonestown has a thing against Paula really bad. Everyone talks about her. Finally I just told everyone that it had gone on too long and too far, and Paula had done a lot of great things for this cause, certainly more than I, and had taken a lot of risks, and she was just trying to do her job. Sharon Amos agreed with me at that point, as Donnie had overheard Debbie and everyone talking about Paula so much that he started mouthing off about her all the time. I said something about her self-righteousness on the radio once and I said I should not have said it. (Paula is very condescending alot of times on the radio and is short tempered, and it pisses everyone off.) Anyway, Terri Carter, Debbie Blakey and I guess Sharon and Tim, and Mike really don’t like Paula. Jack puts her down all the time since Paula is the one who gives out the messages. I think really a lot of hostility is directed at her that really people might feel for you though different ones has different complaints with her. I certainly have had my conflicts with her.
Terri Carter seemed not to be able to stop talking about Paula. She talked about her fat ass, her narcissism, how she told Terri her ass wasn’t that big, etc. She told me that when she got ready to come in to town, Paula pulled her aside and warned her about all the people in Georgetown, and had something negative to watch out for regarding each one including me. I asked her what Paula said and Terri said she couldn’t remember. (I know this is the same kind of thing I did with Paula and Sharon which stirred up trouble, only I told specifics which was really bad.)
I talked to Lisa this evening. She said there were bugs swarming in her cottage. Then she said Alice had moved in and left all her stuff in the floor and she hoped they come get organised tonight. Then she said after the nuclear war we wouldn’t be getting any more supplies. Then she said, “Oh well, then maybe we won’t be having any more white nights so it will be worth it.”
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7)
Tim Carter told me on the phone last night that he wanted to know about Malcolm’s registration. He said he had heard that Gloria was going to do SOMETHING WITH ODELL RHODES CONCERNING THE REGISTRATION (SOMEONE HAD TOLD HIM ABOUT IT) and he wanted to know what was going on. I think Paula mentioned to me she wondered if Terri had told him??
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Letter to Debbie Layton from Lisa Layton
April 27, 1978
Debs – all is fine with Lenora and me. We moved from Tr.5 [troolie 5] to the one Clara and Kay are in because we need our former one for guests. We surely are having our share of guests, as you know. The Troolie we are in now stays cooler during the day than our former one. Everyone is congenial. In a way I feel more comfortable now that there are several of us instead of just Lenora and me, because people always ask about just 2 of us being in the old Troolie and I felt uncomfortable about that. The walking is good for me! Here are some of the new things we will be doing. Don Fitch is going to look into building a shithouse structure on wheels. That way we can roll it off and burn what’s in the pit and then roll it back, instead of building a new toilet. Also we have started to grow wing beans which are as high in protein as soybeans. They grow here and some of the humid climates elsewhere and are little-known. J. read us a research and scientific reports from US universities on the subject. It would mean a meat substitute and a great boost to feeding hungry people in the underdeveloped countries. The wing bean is a legume and puts nitrogen back into the soil – therefore acts as a fertilizer at the same time.
Paula is also in our cottage but she is hardly ever there. When we had the journalist visiting us I did some translating for his wife who spoke no English and just a little high school German. I went along on the tour of the premises to the piggery and tried to translate to her what J. said to her husband. He spoke English and understood it well. Our socialist classes are getting really good. Harriet [Tropp] and Vernetta [Christian] are my teachers. Harriet is excellent. J. gives us the news now every day and we will have
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tests. He repeats them many times which gives most everyone a chance to get the news at one time or another. Everyone – old and young are taking notes. We all had to turn in a 2-page report on the news last socialist class and high schoolers a 3-page report. We have maps of Africa, South America, Guyana – in short the world hanging in the pavilion and everyone is studying. It really is a great thing how everyone is studying and learning. J. is such a great teacher. It’s really wonderful to see all the seniors taking notes and discussing the news. Guess I am repeating myself – I was writing and trying to listen to news at the same time!
Looks like you will have to boiling your drinking water or use bleach in Georgetown or maybe I got the wrong impression? Someone said that you had problems with your water; if that is the case you are responsible to see to it that it is boiled.
Be sure to write to the old asshole!
I wrote to Larry and comrades on the 3rd and 4th floor.
Last night all of Jonestown had a test on world events. There were 15 questions. One set for under 65 years and the other 15 for over 65. I did okay. Dad read the questions to us.
So long – hard to share & other comrades.
Peace and love, Lisa
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Statement of Lisa Layton following Debbie Blakey defection
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This is a short explanation of what happened to me after I found out that my daughter Debbie Blakey had left us (for good I suppose). An the circumstances under which she left. – When Jim first told me, I was shocked and could hardly believe that this was really true. For the longest time I rationalized, trying to understand her behavior, but as time went on and statements were published about us in the States, which she had made, I slowly realized that she was committing an evil act against us.
It was a terrible realization and as much as I tried not to let it get me down, and as loving and understanding Jim Jones was, trying to comfort me, it had its bad effects. My health, which was good after a serious cancer operation in the States last September started to go down. I lost weight, started to feel weak and developed several physical complaints that I hadn’t had up to that point. I worried constantly, and Debbie’s leaving us became an obsession. – I have heard about people
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dying of grief or a broken heart and I suppose that this was what was happening to me to a lesser degree in the sense that I was not dying. –
Jim requested that Dr. Schacht give me a complete physical, and I had x-rays and just about every test imaginable. All of them were negative. Anyway, I was put in our hospital for complete rest, special foods and vitamins, and I am recovering. –
Debbie is the youngest of 4 children. When she was 7 years old her oldest brother left for college, followed by her sister and another brother, all within 3 years. They all left for UC at Davis. During the same time I decided to take a job, and my mother-in-law came to take care of Debbie. It was during this period Debbie became a problem. First her grades became poor. As she got older she began to associate with the delinquent element
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in her classes. We moved her from Garfield Junior High to “Bentley’s” (a private school) and back to public school, all in Berkeley. Then we enrolled her in El Cerrito High and next at the High school in Davis, California, where she stayed with friends of ours. As a last resort center to a Quaker boarding school in Ackworth, England.
Even there she continued to be a problem. She did meet a fine young man in her school, whom she later married and who was a member of our group here now and has been for many years. – The reason I am giving her background is to explain her personality. – She underwent a complete change when she became a member of Peoples Temple some 10 years ago after her older brother (who was also with us) introduced her to the group. She became dependable, and very capable and efficient. Besides working for the church she completed training as an operating room
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technician.
After my right lung was removed at Kaiser Hospital in Oakland, California, she and another young friend cared for me at the Temple. It was during this period that I became very attached to her.
The care I received was beautiful – but that is beside the point, even though it may explain in part why I became so attached to Debbie.
I have heard of people having split personalities, but never normally have had an experience with such a person. I am wondering at this point if this is Debbie’s problem.
Lisa P. Layton
July 2, 1978
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Letter to Debbie Layton from Lisa Layton
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Dear Debbie – I have been in extensive care for [illegible word] now. I got sick after I heard that you left and how you left. It was a terrible shock to me and somehow I have not been able to get over it. I am receiving the best of medical care. Even though, I cannot get rid of the feeling of a great [illegible word]. It is with me at all times. Actually what you have done is worrying me into the grave. This is pretty strong language but it is true. – I had the worst guilt feelings thinking back to the time when you were little and how I failed you by keeping things confidential that you trustingly told me and I discussed these matters with your Dad. Also I did not support a strongly enough when Wanda [illegible name] became hysterical because you told one of her children the babies were not born through the navel. However all of that is just history now.
You know that we are socialists and making
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a beginning in a new land. You also know that what we have done with our agriculture is spectacular, and could not have happened without cooperation. It looks to me that you really did not understand socialism in its beginning stages. You gave up 3/4 up the hill – and that is a shame – Right now we are planning to build 100 more houses. Phil [Blakey] keeps at picking up lumber for us. Larry is working 1/2 time with x-rays and the rest of his time with the Alaskan sawmills. Also we are getting another sawmill to speed up production. There are constant changes and improvements –
The best thing that could happen to me personally is your return. Others have left in the past and come back. You
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know how forgiving Jim is. – What I cannot understand is that after leaving as you turned around and told lies and twisted stories. I read copies of the paperwork that were sent to us by either you or [Tim] Stoen. Why did you participate in their evil efforts? Were you afraid that something might happen to you if you had asked Stoen not to bother you? I wish you would stop harming us. And I wish you would come back. People have left before and returned and were lovingly received by Jim and all the rest of us. I surely hope you will go back to your old pattern, because you won’t make it this time.
I love you –
Mom
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Request to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee, September 1978
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Sept. 27, 1978
To Jim –
I, Daisy Lee, would like to be a barefoot doctor. Over a month now I’ve been working as Dr. [Larry] Schact’s assistant every Sunday. I must admit he is indeed a good teacher with patience to explain things to me. He has taught me a lot. Also a night when there is no mandatory of meeting or entertainment, I do treatment at the nurse’s office, plus I attend weekly nursing classes on Wednesday at 8:00 PM. I have quit teaching school and am now working in the apartment 1 in the morning & at work in stuffed animal project in the afternoon.
I have talked to Bob [Stroud] on the radio. I [am] grateful to you that he is doing better each day. I want you to know that in one of his letters he wrote me, he stated that “I will never forget this miracle!” & “Never will I be able to pay him back – I’m grateful!”
Also I’ve been in Jonestown a yr now on Sept 11th. I’ve seen more beauty, cooperation, caring, sharing, happiness & etc. than I thought before I came here. To say the least my health is 100% better here. I have been given opportunities to experience in the medical field – teaching dept – making dolls – procuring – going down the river – learning different languages – eating different kinds of food & etc. This may not sound meaningful but it sure means something to me because if it weren’t for you, never will I be given such an opportunity to experience in so many fields. All I want to thank you for everything. I am very happy here. If I were still back in the states, I would never be as happy & satisfied with my life now (meaning now I have a duty with my life to build up a communist society as we do now & hopefully in the near future we will be able to help others). I know US is getting worst each day from what you’re telling us but also [there is] nothing there. Yesterday I received a letter [from] my best friend back in the states: she tells me she couldn’t get a job part time & a summer job. She just goes to movies & shopping & spends time at her sister’s house, babysitting & go to college. She stated that her summer could have been better if you had a job. No doubt her life is empty. My life was just like hers before I knew you. I have so much to be grateful for to be here.
Thank you Jim
PS Sorry for the writing.
Please excuse me for not saying anything to you at times when I walk by because I see you’re quite busy I don’t want to disturb you.
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Letter of Concern to Jim Jones from Daisy Lee, October 1978
EE-2-k-18a – 18b
Oct. 1, 1978
To Jim:
As you already know that I work with the doctor every Sunday. Today Larry [Schacht] was frustrated. He stated that he did not want to see any patients today he was tired of people mainly medical people are seeking him for medical advice. He said he wish he could leave medicine for a month and go do some physical work. I don’t know if what I said to him is right. I told him that he is talking himself down – that he is a good doctor & has helped many people. I told him to look at the positive side. Then he agreed with me – smiled.
I also told [him] he is the only doctor here. And no one knows it better than he does. Then he talked down on himself that almost anyone can do this work. I said no he is a very good doctor, considering also he didn’t go through internship. And he has done a lot of good work.
I would like to say that I am very fortunate to be here as well as all of us. Because working with the doctor I see that the people from Port Kaituma who come for medical treatment have all kinds of problems such as vitamin deficiency, worms in the stool & etc. Today a couple & one man came to get treatment for gonorrhea. I & we should be more grateful that I don’t have these problems. Also every baby born there and all our children are in good health & none of our babies is born deformed. We also should be grateful to that. I must admit that I should be more grateful. I guess I have too much given to me here. An old saying you will not realize what good you have until it’s gone. Working on Sundays treating people from outside opens my eyes to see the goodness we have here. Especially all the very best extensive instruments you brought for the medical dept to detect every disease. I get into tears every time I look in the office & see all the equipment you provided us & I can see your love for us. Thank you.
Thank you Jim,
Daisy [Lee]
—–
——
Note by Lue Ester Lewis on Jim Jones’ Pain, May 1978
EE-2-k-8a
May 27, 1978
Dear Dad,
I feel that your most pains come from people that you love, who work against your stand [on] freedom. People that could be helpful and refuse after seeing your examples. I realize now that pain never stops, I thank you for strength and love.
You are my source of life. I’ve never had a Father like you. I do care and appreciate all blessings.
Thank you Dad
Lue Ester [Lewis]
—–
Undated Notes to Jim Jones from Carolyn Looman on Tim Stoen
EE-2-k-1
To: Jim
From: Carolyn Looman
Re: TOS [Timothy Stoen] – Agent
Just a thought about Tim’s CIA connections: He reminds me of the Louis Tackwood story in Glass House Tapes, how Tackwood apparently (my memory isn’t fresh) lived two entirely separate lives, in a kind of successful schizophrenia, in which he kept life intact and may have lived each one with a kind of sincerity. I remember getting the same impression of the man who was Dennis Banks’ security chief at the same time he was working for the FBI. He risked his life in daring efforts to save the Indians, etc.
An awesome phenomenon.
—–
EE-2-k-2a – 2d
To: Jim
From: Carolyn Looman
Sunday
I still don’t recall any thoughts at all related to the words “conscious or unconscious treason,” & it bothers me that I don’t. I hope Tim or I will remember what I said, so I can deal with it straight on.
I’m writing now because my response on the floor last night was inadequate, so I was focusing on the treason quote, which threw me off, and I’d repressed the misgivings I felt after last Tues. meeting, so I didn’t assemble my thoughts quickly enough to give a full explanation of the conversation with Tim. I did say I was disturbed & that was wrong and it was wrong not to write to you as he said.
My concern encompassed more than the issue of the news & did reflect some lingering naïveté about Phil Tracy. I didn’t say I thought Tracy was friendly, but that I’d been told by my brother that Tracy’s original story was not inflammatory and that our intense response had helped bring out the story that was eventually written. Thus I wondered if Tracy had started out as an agent or a dupe. I have a half-baked theory that people who end up doing evil don’t necessarily start out with that intention & I’ve long been curious about the process by which evil comes about. I naïvely see evil in the abstract more than I do in individuals, & I hadn’t fully come to terms with myself.
The rest of my response on the floor was inadequate partly because I didn’t want to express some of my thoughts in front of others, partly because of a defensive reflex that shows I’m still not taking full responsibility for myself.
I do have uneasy feelings about your approach to the coming visitors. I’m reluctant to express them because I know from experience that I’ll later see how I’m totally off base, or at best my sense of timing is off. Either way, I hate to divert your attention with my thoughts. I’m also chicken shit about saying things I think you might consider treasonous – a complicated fear I’m still trying to unravel in my mind.
But I owe you an explanation of it, my thoughts as I spoke to Tim.
It seems that [Don] Freed or anyone like him will see through attempts to cover or misrepresent certain aspects of Jonestown life, e.g. the number of people living in cottages, the use of the PA system, the terms “Dad” & “Comrade”, the use of the fist, the position of the nuclear family, & the individual’s control of money. I’m convinced that caution with Freed et al. is absolutely necessary, but I think he would be more critical of the “cover-up” than he would be of any of the realities. It also seems there is little if anything he could say that would do any more harm than the traitors have already made of it. (It’s a relative risk)
Finally I think that the truth about you & Jonestown will hold up, & some people will appreciate it, so long as they can understand it, & if it takes the rest of the world forever to recognize its goodness, then so much the worse for them. I can’t really calculate how callous that viewpoint is. I know that incaution can mean the lives of our comrades in the US or renewed threats to our existence here & inestimable grief for you and harm to your well-being. But I think some people will understand you better, respect you more, or leave you alone even if they disagree with you so long as they can see your honesty & not feel they are being deceived, manipulated, duped or insulted. If they see honesty they are also more likely to question or disagree openly & directly, so some misconceptions could be straightened out instead of festering in locked closets. Again, it’s a relative risk, but I think the risk is greater if an intellectual, egotistical person feels he’s being fed lies.
I know you taken all this into consideration, I just don’t understand your conclusions. I don’t think I’m owed any explanation, & I know I’ll understand more in due time. I wish I had a good radar system to protect danger approaching in people. I don’t, and you do. I am sorry to take up your time.
Carolyn
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Memo to Jim Jones from Carolyn Looman on USSR, September 1978
EE-2-k-19a
To: Jim
From: Carolyn Looman
Re: USSR
Date: September 13 [1978]
It’s my observation that black members of our community are very reserved on the subject of going to the USSR. Remembering the reactions during white nights of the past, when they expressed concern about the absence of blacks in the USSR, I’ve made comments about the Russian films and the possibility of going there, to see how our black people would react. With only one or two exceptions on the teaching staff, all have been totally non-committal even about the films. I suspect that there is a deep concern about going into another white culture. During the white nights, the USSR was always the least popular alternative among the other major places considered for refuge, despite its obvious ability to give us better protection.
For myself, I grow more and more keen about the possibility of our going there. Though my initial reaction was to cling to Guyana unless our children’s survival became a near impossibility here, I now think it would be far better for you (and us) to know our people were in a relatively safe spot. Then you would have freedom to do many other things with somewhat less anxiety, I would hope. The Soviet environment and its resources would be conducive to the pursuit of greater accomplishments and, with the training we get from you, our young people could become effective in world humanitarian service/revolutionary struggle/socialist living on a scale that would be much harder to achieve from a Guyana base. At least, this is my perspective, and my feelings are strong enough that I wanted to express them.
Whether the USSR is viewed as an advantageous alternative, a possible alternative, or a sheer necessity, I think a good deal of propagandizing would be advisable to penetrate the reservations so many of our people seem to feel. Perhaps an emphasis on how much the Russians would appreciate our black presence and culture would help; also it’s notable that they have respected the Africans so much that they have never occupied African soil or dominated African politics in any way. Also, Pushkin, the most loved of Russian poets, was descended from an African. Probably, too, simultaneous emphasis on the richness of African culture/history/accomplishments should be continued, so there is never an implication that the African heritage is in any way meager, and it would go with us wherever we might go. Finally, continuing reinforcement regarding the advanced level of the socialist consciousness may alleviate the insecurity that attaches to the race issue.
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Thank You Note to Jim Jones from Helen Love, June 1978
EE-2-k-7a – 7b
Sat June 3 – 78
Have been wanting to write you a long time, but I know you know all things. I wrote telling you of trying to make a quilt, to make money for the cause, as you asked us. Thank you for trying to take the test you gave us. I’m trying, please help me, the eyes bother me, a lot of falling set me back a couple of days from the news, when I cracked a rib & had to go to the health stat. I help on rice, so I will be looking at the quilt crochet so long. Thanks for everything you’ve done for me, I couldn’t be in a better place. Only someone steals everything I’m using, no matter my back is turned, my soap from over my head, a good watch I had to repair, and only a piece of plastic to use in case of rain, they took that, a little manicure scissors to cut my work with, & I got so angry I said if I caught them I’d cut them with my knife, so I thought they were just waiting for me to move in to start stealing from me, and to think I would never take anything from anyone.
Thank you to please forgive me for being so angry, for as you know I never cut anyone before when I was so angry I could not think. I want so much to be kind like you, but I’m so far from it. I have no security for they won’t give me one. I used to be with Jeffrey down by your house & when they came here, Alma [Thomas] put her in over me but I thank you for you know why, though I was never late. I thank you for everything Dear, and I love you so much.
Your Helen Love
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Memo from Christine Lucientes on Debbie Blakey, Spring 1978
BB-3-bb
To: JJ
Fr: CRL [Christine Lucientes]
Re: Clarification
If it makes any difference, Debbie never told me anything negative about not living with Phillip [Blakey]. She merely stated that she felt you did not want her to live with him as she was in a position of handling money and should not be involved in a relationship. She never said anything negative or hostile, I just got the impression that she wasn’t happy about the situation.
I do not want you to think that I was father about what PJ said because I was not. I merely told KL [Karen Layton] what PJ Ed told me about Debbie, and because I wondered if she had said the same thing to Debbie, as she liked Debbie a lot and used to spend time with her, especially on Sunday. She stated that she missed Debbie a lot and that is why I told you that I was worried about how she would take her defection. When PJ told me this she was unhappy. I think she was just telling me things that had piled up on her because she was emotional at the time. I don’t think she was being divisive, she just wanted me to assure her that she was not to blame. She also in the conversation said that she was to blame in many ways for Mike leaving, because of the 3 days that she left. This is not to say that I have not been guilty of not reporting negatively between PJ and I, or unhealthy alliances that we have formed over the years. I did not report many things because I do not want to cross Patty, who is in my mind, relentless, mean and extremely vindictive. PJ is her alter ego, she lives thru her and woe be unto anyone who casts aspersions on her. I can honestly say that I have never met anyone so mean except someone who has left the cause and become evil. That may be purely my bias but that is how I feel and I don’t want to cross her. I am not afraid of dying, but crossing Patty is not that simple nor easy, it just makes dying all the more desirable.
—–
Memo from Christine Lucientes on Blakey defection, May 1978
BB-3-ii
JJ:
From: CRL
I am not fishing for verification but I think it is Debbie B. and she expressed conflict – she wanted to live with Phillip but felt that you disapproved and backed up with what I thought was conflict. She also has conflict about being exposed for being helped sexually and was interested to know that you had told me that I could become what someone if I wanted to. I feel that she (if it is her) maybe alienated because when in G/T [Georgetown] it became difficult not to be paranoid with you here, and knowing you are trepidatious of people there.
That they are not taking $ could indicate that the relative is funding them and would mean they are far more dependent on the relative (in her case a vicious dad). It would almost seem better if they had stolen a large sum to make them independent of the family.
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Self-Evaluation by Christine Lucientes, July 1978
EE-2-k-9a
July 10, 1978
To: JJ
Fr: CRL [Christine Lucientes]
Re: Requested evaluation
I am not sure what specifically you wanted. I assume it is a self-evaluation. However I am reluctant to express what I feel you will not like hearing, because when I had done it in the past, it has angered you tremendously, i.e. when I expressed that I did not believe that we killed a man and he was eaten. You expressed that indicated a reserve for treason. I feel like I am in a double bind – I need to express where I am at, but I am reluctant to anger you. So I will proceed gingerly…
Faults:
(A) I, like Dick, have always maintained a place of sanction in my thoughts. Whenever I have been most pressured and distraught by what I interpreted as perpetual violations of normal limits of privacy – i.e. crowding – noise – etc. I consoled myself that there is a part of me that no one can touch. I feel that it is a defense against insanity and can see how it could be a reserve for treason, but I don’t know how to dispense with this reserve without becoming a babbling maniac. I don’t really know if it is possible to dispense with this reserve. At this point in time I’m not at a bad spot – it is cyclical and will pass but I am feeling pressured and I get hostile when I am pressured. I am more flexible when I am not pressured and I am more humble. I feel I am capable of being very honest when I don’t have something over my head that can be used against me. I do not feel free because I know if what I say hits you at a bad time, I risk public exposure for my two worst crimes. 1. Sex 2. Money. I would be more honest if I didn’t feel I had something to protect.
(B) Betrayal. I have no desire to be in a position to betray. I don’t want to be outside the borders of Jonestown and I don’t ever expect to. When I came in from G/town [Georgetown] I viewed myself as coming in to fulfill a life sentence. I resolved to myself that I would refuse to go to G/town for any reason whatsoever. I don’t feel that I will betray. As hostile as I have gotten, as skeptical as I am – I know you are getting nothing from this. I am convinced of that
—–
EE-2-k-9b
and I feel that anyone who betrays feels that you are getting something out of leading. I can say that I have disagreements with you that I view some things differently than you but no way can I be convinced that you are getting anything but overall pain and that has convinced me when I have had my questions about policies.
(C) Family. They offer nothing that attracts me. José, in fact, wrote me that all his life he has wanted to be in the position that he is in now – free to do what he wants, go where he wants, work where, when and how he wants … and he can’t get started – he is doing nothing. He said that he never thought it would be like that. I know that boredom – totally doing your own thing and how oppressively boring and unfulfilling that is. I never want to go back to that. After 10 years of divorce, I still am too sentimental about my family. I have feelings and pain about them but I don’t want to go down to their level. I wish that they would come up to the level of Socialism. I don’t believe it would be possible unless it came thru “the barrel of a gun.” Unless they were trapped here – I hate to admit it but I wish they were forced to be here and they would have to change. But there are several billion people of them who deserve that opportunity. So – I admit feelings for the Lucientes’ but no desire to join them.
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Christine Lucientes
EE-2-k-11
To: JJ
Fr: CRL [Christine Lucientes]
A PROBLEM
Let me begin with a simple clarification; this note is not intended to provoke a response of reassurance in any form. In fact, I would be eternally grateful if I’m ignored from here on out go to the trouble I foresee. Anyone who approaches me in the near future will be immediately suspect. This note is inspired out of an admission of ambivalence, guilt, confusion and concern.
As you may know, I am not really close to many people. In the past I used to talk to Ron Talley and I have been friends with Patricia [Cartmell] out of necessity, the need to escape and habit. Please keep in mind that as alienated as I am I get nothing on the reporting PJ, believe me. It is very hard to do.
I feel that PJ is quite negative about J/T structure, I am too and I am inclined to share her views and see them as benign. However I felt responsible for two reasons. 1) she is out in the community. 2) more than anything – I interpreted that she deliberately attempted to be divisive and alienate me from you by telling me things that people had said about me. It didn’t make me hostile to them, tho she doesn’t realize it, it may be hostile to her. She has always asked me if I have heard anything negative about her – present or past and I would not shake her confidence by saying such things and I never have. She also told me that Guyanese will never trust us and we will never be accepted and we are not liked. (I can see this, tho in the total picture of the situation ou conversation the comment took on more negative connotations).
After she talked to me in a negative way about JT she begged me not to tell – she said that she would kill herself if I did. I assured her that I would not. The worst thing that I told her wasn’t after Debbie [Blakey] left you told me that Lew [Jones] and I are responsible for Debbie’s treason because we had stolen. I told PJ that I was not the one that had told her. I also told her that I was very upset when you thought I had told DB that it was a prison camp here.
I know what you think of me and I’d just as soon be dead than not. I hope this doesn’t hit the floor. I know people don’t like me and I don’t think I can live without some image. Manipulative? I think it is true anyway.
—–
Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Christine Lucientes
EE-2-k-12
Mary Lou [Clancey], Mike Prokes, or whomever
Please relay info to Jim that I had no intentions of demanding to talk to him. I really didn’t. I was upset because all I have is my image and it is totally gone. I committed myself to not talking to PJ or Ron anymore and all of a sudden I felt overwhelmed because I have an unusual need to express myself. I didn’t feel I could cope with my feelings without giving them some vent. After I went to the radio room and expressed this – it was all over. I was ready to go to bed. KL [Karen Layton] insisted that I go to SCU [Special Care Unit] to “sleep it off.” I resisted because I felt I would be made into a drugged zombie. I was promised it would be for one night. When I got up for a shower, I wanted to sit on the front porch which agitated the nurse who assisted I was to be on bed rest. I went by the radio room & told Mike who told me to go to KL’s house and talk to her. I was not trying to escape at all and I do not intend to. I am sorry 2 security are on me because I am doing nothing.
Mary Lou – could you bring my toothbrush & brush?
CRL [Christine Lucientes]