[Editor’s notes: The letters on this page derive from several sources, principally FBI Section 126 • EE-1 • Letters to Dad (N-Z); 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 Note to Jim Jones from L.B. Reeves
EE-2-pq-10
Dear Dad
I love you so much. I want to work real hard for the cause. I can never do enough for you.
Love, L.B. Reeves
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Undated Note to Jim Jones from Pat Rhea
EE-2-pq-6a – 6b
To: Dad
From: Pat Rhea
I would like to thank you Dad for being so loving to all of us. I’d like to thank you for giving this all a beautiful place to live and something worth dying for. Because now I am able to look at death. Even each White Night helps me to stop and look at myself and others. I know as far as Cuba is it sounds beautiful and all but I know if they wouldn’t want me because I was old or something that I would want someone to stay with me. So I wouldn’t want to go unless everything was guaranteed, that we all come or none. Then from there other things. We’d have to look at everything. But I’d rather die fighting if we make it through this White Night, I would like to know if I could change my name from Patricia Rhea to Patricia Hara, after Victor Hara. I like listening to this music. I plan on reading more on him. Also I would like to change my daughter’s name from Asha Tabia Rhea to Aash Tabia Hara or Asha Tabia because her dad [Jerome Othello Rhea] does not show hardly any interest in her. He never picks her up except today. So if I can’t change her last name then I would just like to drop it. Thank you Dad.
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Memo to Jim Jones from Odell Rhodes, June 1978
EE-2-pq-8a – 8b
27-6-78
Dear Dad
I would like to propose that our Alpha situations be given different status, with specific instructions for each. Example:
Green = situation normal, resume or continue normal duties.
Amber = readiness be on alert – listen for instructions by PA or ISS [Internal Security] officer. IS to go on whatever plan they have.
Red =Situation serious, go to Pavilion, secure entire Jonestown complex.
I think with this system or similar system in operation the people’s actions.
I have also been concerned about how we react when planes fly over. On Sunday most everyone stood around staring or pointing. If photos were taken they could be interpreted in many ways, people could use the negative ones. We are used to planes and should not appear to stand around spellbound by the sight of one. Also no one should enter the radio room or East House at these times except specified persons. Since the last traitor went out I would feel better if you were not in either of these two locations if an unidentified plane is sighted.
With the coded status system the color of the situation could be broadcast and the people would know what action to take if any. We were told to smile & wave, not stand & stare.
Love you Dad
Odell Rhodes Jr.
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Memo to Leona Collier from Tommie Rochelle, June 1978
EE-2-pq-2a – 2c
6-20-78 Tues night
Toi Jones [Toi Fonzelle] – information
Toi told me (Tommie Rochelle)
That someone has been calling her home every so often. And every time she call, she would give a different name.
6-18-78 Sun morning. Toi Jones received a phone call saying they were Vernell Henderson and that Leona [Collier] told her to call to see if anyone was bothering her. Toi Got very angry & hung the phone up. Later they call back & Curtis answered the phone & she ask to speak to Corey.
She has also asked to speak to Toi’s daughter at times when she can’t speak to Toi.
6-19-78 Monday morning – Toi received another phone call asking was Sister Johnson there
Toi says it’s nobody but Rosie Mae Williams, brother Harry Williams life making those phone calls, because at the time Rosie tried to find out information from Toi, but Toi didn’t respond, so Rosie started making the phony phone calls.
Toi said: That Rosie made a statement saying that Jim Jones was worse than Rev. Moon.
From Tommie R. [Rochelle]
To Leona C. [Collier]
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Memo to Jim Jones from Edith Roller regarding thefts, September 1978
EE-2-pq-9
10 September 1978
Dear Jim,
I want to report to you a rather strange event which may possibly have security implications – absurd as this may seem.
Yesterday I missed a big blue binder in which I kept the typed copy of the journal I write. It contained a record from August to October 1977 and about 50 pages of blank paper. The last time I used it was last Sunday, 3 September. I never take it out of the cottage and did not do so this time. I looked thoroughly among all my possessions. I kept it in a crate which I had left unlocked a good deal lately, as the lock is beginning to rust and Edith Cordell is in the cottage most of the time. As I checked, I found that another folder was missing, which contained the handwritten notes from August 1977 to August 1978, as I had never thrown any of them away.
My first thought was that somebody just stole the binder (which was a good one) for itself and the paper that was in it. It would have been easy to lift the top of the crate and take the binder, as it might have been near the top. However, the other folder is a different thing – it was buried deeper, it was bulky and would have been harder to walk away with, the paper in it would have been of little value to a thief, as it was all written on.
I don’t think the security danger is very great, no matter who has the notes, as I know no secrets, but these notes contain items on individuals, and I know intelligence agencies consider any information important. It seems unlikely, though, that any agent would have happened on my papers unless Tim Stoen were involved. As you remember, he knew of the journal, as I used to turn it over to him for delivery to Carolyn Layton. That is why I am bringing this to your attention, in case there is a possibility of espionage, rather than just old-fashioned theft.
The paper in the notebook is probably not like any other in Jonestown – good bond, punched for a three-hole binder. I suggest that the tests taken last night be checked for this type of paper and other paperwork which may come to attention – three-hole punch is probably scarce.
Pardon the typing. I got my typewriter fixed, by now something else is wrong with it.
Sorry to bother you with this.
Much love, Edith Roller
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EE-2-h-2
Undated Note to Jim Jones, likely from Gloria Rosa
Jim,
I sent a letter to my mother at the last minute before Terry Buford left. I had Sarah [Harriet Sarah Tropp] & Terry clear it. I also sent a picture of myself & Kamari. Sarah said the letter was good & positive. I won’t do it again.
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Undated Note on Jim Jones’ Pain from Kay Rosas
EE-2-pq-3
I think what makes you suffer the most is when you have a real bad pain and you still have to fight and still have to stay awake night and day. It takes a lot of hard work to protect us like you do.
Kay Rosas
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Note to Jim Jones from Elsie Ross, May 1978
EE-2-pq-4
27-5-78
Elsie Ross
CB 3
Dear Dad: –
I feel in my heart what you are going thru & if there is anything I can do let me know.
You are going thru all this to save us & give us our freedom.
I will die fighting & will carry someone with me – I want to take some of our traitors.
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EE-2-k-5
Undated Note to Jim Jones from Chris Lund Rozynko on Tim Stoen
Dad,
Can someone, a brother, who Tim does not know, get involved in a sexual relationship with him. Someone knows how to do it. If he can be made to fall in love perhaps he can be diverted from this sickness.
Chris Lund [Rozynko]
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Undated Note to Jim Jones from Michael Lund Rozynko
EE-2-k-6
Dear Dad:
From: Mike Lund
I received an excellent plus on the last test.
I have been thinking about that I have received an education of sorts and have developed my memory and reading skills fairly well.
I feel guilty that I would be able to receive “something extra” when many black family members have been disadvantaged but are as much or smarter or more dedicated than I am. I didn’t realize this really, until I tried to help one of my students in a tutoring session (high school) – how much the US school system has messed up our young people’s minds that they haven’t had training in basic skills of study.
I don’t want anything except to be able to have a chance to prove myself loyal and responsible to this cause.
Mike Lund
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Note on Jim Jones’ Pain from Liz Ruggerio, May 1978
EE-2-pq-5
26/5 [78]
Dear Dad,
You are suffering every day for us in your health because of the torment we put you through. We show no concern for knowledge and are very selfish. You hurt inside to see this and that people do not change at all. It hurt you to see the people after years of teaching them betray you, and mostly this cause. The pressure of meeting every need to keep the family going & protecting us make sure you have pain & raises your blood pressure. It hurt you that after hours of telling us the news that only a handful of people can say they listened & repeat important items of the news.
Our anarchism which came from capitalistic America is still in our blood. It hurt you that our minds are not on communism like they should.
Thank you dad for not giving up through the many years you’ve struggled to establish this promise land. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be a communist and live the life of one.
Liz Ruggerio