[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 Note to Jim Jones from Chris Talley
EE-2-s-8a – 8b
Dad;
I did try to cut my wrist after you talked to me – it was before I was on the floor with Thurman [Guy]. I only wrote you a letter after you talk to me so I would know what to do about Ricky, and that I was carrying broken glass with me and that I could have run. I told you those things to let you know that I have control of myself. I didn’t use anything or do anything after you talked to me.
Chris Talley
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EE-1-T-81
Undated Self-Evaluation by Maureen Talley
Self Evaluation
I’m hostile & a bitch –
My work is not consistent – I had a lack of follow-through because of a lack of interest in anything for very long, except working in the fields. I’m not kind enough to my comrades because people take kindness for weakness especially
I’m not interested in evaluating myself.
Sexual Attractions
Sex is the most confusing & frustrating subject lately. I know I don’t have the same sexual attractions I used to have – I’ve grown up and changed – It’s depressing to think of going on for years without any physical contact, but all the hell of people exploiting people turns my stomach. If I could find a good friend and companion in one person and a good lover in another, that would be nice. As soon as you fuck your friend, the pressure is on & the friendship suffers. I’m not interested in thinking about it, it hurts. Why will it help to think on this subject? Do I have to think about a list? I don’t want to think about it now.
The fascist exploits people’s sexuality and torture them sexually like the man who’s daughter was forced to use a wire to cut of his privates.
Maureen Talley
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EE-1-T-98
[Editor’s note: This note from Carolyn Layton was appended to Maureen Talley’s letter above.]
This is the letter I was telling you about. You might want to say something publicly on PA about woman [women] not wanting emotional relations with men or something reassuring to her as she seems to want some kind of feedback. Her ad was kind of humorous tho sad. She has such a bad opinion of herself as a whore that something might be helpful in the way of a word.
cl [Carolyn Layton]
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Letter of apology to Jim Jones from Maureen Talley Fitch
EE-1-T-147
Dear Dad,
Drinking the beer was a lack of character and a weakness on my part. It is outright defiant to you as a dad to me. I am not a person to be trusted to have the sense to use good judgement outside of Jonestown. The structure and discipline are what I need here. I wasn’t using any concern for the collective. All this is very obvious now, but I have not yet understood how awful it was to have accepted the beer at this function. It’s not enough to say I’m wrong and I’m sorry.
The two things I want to have for discipline is to be put on the work crew. I am not just saying this because everyone says it. I had terrible feelings about the work crew and each time a person is put on it, I feel myself deep down inside somewhere supporting their anarchy and bad behavior. Please allow me to be on the work crew as a discipline because you trusted me and I made a liar out of you and because I don’t like to be with groups of people. I hate people and am becoming back to being a loner. I only like a couple of people. It’s not that I don’t feel close to and care about all of our family, but it’s not right to get off in a corner by yourself. I am confused because I don’t believe in Life but I wholeheartedly with all my might believe in Communism. How can you make communists out of us living things?(THIS IS BULLSHIT I KNOW THE ANSWER)[notes in parentheses here refers to the crossed out question] I want to be on that work crew to get my ass to work and have to do what I hate. The other discipline I should have is the hardest one. It has met [meant] more to me than I can ever tell you to be allowed to call you my dad. Until I feel like a good daughter of yours again, I will call you Jim. This will hurt harder than any work I could take on.
I am sorry,
Maureen
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Letter to Jim Jones from Maureen Talley Fitch
EE-1-T-99
1). To: Dad From: Maureen
I have had this on my mind for many months. It’s bothering me a lot. Last night the confusing subject of sex reared it’s lovely/ugly head once again. In peoples rally. I haven’t indulged in sex for three or four years, I think. I lost track. After I arrived in Jonestown and had been here for several months, I found myself toying with the idea once in a while, but never putting any serious thought to it because it has always turned out to be a problem, a painful problem. I listened to some of the things you were saying about sex at that time. You were saying that people shouldn’t play all these ridiculous games, and have silly romantic relationships and think someone cared for them or loved them, etc, etc. I also appreciated the fact that the capitalist tools of manipulation, control, and exploitation have been removed with the abolishment of money, power, and position. There is no one is Jonestown who has any of these things, so no one is going to get fucked for it or used for it.
I was under the impression that women could want sex as much as men and didn’t have to play coy and innocent: wouldn’t have to worry about being the type of girl a man would “take home to mother”. I never was. I thought women could face their [illegible word] sexuality without guilt. I was thinking that the relationship laws were very fine and very fair. I was wondering if two consenting adults could agree that they wanted to have sex, wait three months, get the necessary birth control devices, but they skip the living together for six months and getting married if they just wanted to be friends and have sex once a week or so. The thing I wanted to avoid was the loss of my freedom; to be free of seeing someone every night after work or hanging around together every minute when not at work. I’ve been [illegible word, likely “living”] alone too long now and like my freedom and privacy too much. I thought at one time in my life I could never sleep alone. Now I cherish it.
Anyway, Dad, with these thoughts going on in my mind, I decided it might be nice to find a “consenting adult”. I set some standards of the type of person it should be: 1) a good, hard worker 2) someone nice to talk to with a positive attitude and good sense of humor 3) have good character and principle 4) someone who didn’t hang out in a click. 5) didn’t run around with a lot of women. 6) not married, engaged, or going steady with anyone.
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EE-1-T-100
With all these things in mind, I set out to find this “consenting adult” in Jonestown. My choice was immediately narrowed down due to the lack of population and someone who could meet the standards. After two months of [illegible word] research and asking around, I finally settled on a guy. He didn’t meet all the standards, but I thought I could get to know more about him if I talked to him. Now I had the problem of how to approach the subject with this guy since he and I were practically strangers. I tried to figure out how to get his attention and once I got it, how to approach the subject gracefully. I had it all worked out scientifically, logically, and theoretically, it took months to get around to talking to this guy and when I did, all the [illegible word] theory and logic blew completely to hell!! Everything that couldv’e gone wrong, did!! You can give this material to Patty Cartmell for a good laugh.
One Sunday I made arrangements to talk with him. I still didn’t know what I was going to say. When I came face to face with him, I wasn’t calm, cool, and collected, but very nervous and edgy. I told him I had noticed him around and had been asking around about him and thought maybe we could get to “know” each other a little better. As soon as I opened my mouth, I knew I was making a mistake, but it was too late now. He didn’t know what to say, so he just stared at the ground and mumbled “that’s nice” and “now I know what to do”. I didn’t know what he met [meant] by his statement. By this time I’m feeling very awkward and wishing I could fall through a hole in the ground or disappear somewhere. I’m pissed off at the guy because he won’t tell me “forget it”, kiss my ass or anything”. We just keep standing there staring at the ground. He finally says he’s got to go right now and he’ll see me later. I still didn’t know what the hell was happening, but I already didn’t like the feelings I was having; a little insecure, nervous, rejected. My ego was rearing it’s ugly head. I decided the next time I talked to this guy he wouldn’t make me feel this way. I’ll tell him just what I had in mind and make him a little nervous. In the meantime, my so called “friend” Cynthia jumps into the act with some “high school mentality” garbage.. She’s on one of her schizophrenic binges at the time and thinks she’s Jonestown Sunday psychiatrist. (By the way, this all happened on Sunday, I call it “Stormy Sunday”) Cynthia takes the guy aside and proceeds to tell him some line of bullshit about how I’ve been treating her like shit and I’m acting crazy and I haven’t acted like this since I went with Ted Ballard and how she knows he doesn’t like me and he’s going to hurt my poor feelings and she’s going to be pissed at him. She really “nutted out” on him.
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EE-1-T-101
I can’t imagine what this poor guy is thinking by now and wondering what he’s gotten into and how to get out of it. He finds me and proceeds to give me the bad news as nicely as he can since Cynthia has convinced him that I am going to suffer greatly when he turns me down. (May as well tell you who he was, since he was an innocent bystander. It was Darryl Devers). If he had been honest in the first place it wouldn’t have gone any further. He had been going steadily with Anita Ijames and was going to relationship committee with her in two days. He never did mention it and I still don’t know why. Instead he starts telling me some garbage about not wanting to break up a friendship and poor Cynthia is all upset and I’m supposed to be acting crazy. I decided the whole thing was out of control by now. Darryl’s ego must be swelling and I’m looking like a fool. I didn’t want Darryl to have illusions about how I felt and how my feelings were effected. I took a female chauvenist role and wanted to make Darryl feel uncomfortable because he seemed to be enjoying it. I proceed to tell him that he couldn’t hurt my feelings because I’d been through enough crap with men like the aforementioned Ted Ballard, and was much wiser because of. I said I may as well get straight with him and tell him, when I said I wanted to get to “know” him it was as in the Bible sense “know”. I told him I wasn’t interested in any silly romance or love and I just wanted to fuck him and he may as well know it and I may as well be honest about it. I left him with his mouth hanging open and that was the end of it. That’s not how I wanted it to turn out, but that’s what happened.
Two days later he goes to relationship committee with Anita Ijames and I feel like a dirty rat because he
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EE-1-T-102
didn’t bother to tell me this in the first place and Anita is a very good friend of mine. That’s a good woman for any man who needs one like her – super nurse, super mama, super singer, super liberated woman, the kind of woman you can “take home to mama” and be proud. I hope they walk off into a sunset somewhere and live happily ever after.
A couple of weeks later, crazy Cynthia starts going steady with Billy Oliver who she says is her “daddy and brother” all wrapped up in one.
So Darryl gets Anita. Cynthia gets Billy. I’m still sitting here trying to figure out if I lost out on something or came out the winner. I told it all to my brother Ron [Talley] and we laughed for days.
The problem I worry about now is I’m afraid of being brought up on the floor one night for some small matter and Darryl will get a hair up his ass and want to look good for Anita, so he’ll step out [crossed out] brand me as a cheap white woman who tried to proposition his black nationalist ass for a fuck. Cynthia won’t defend me because she’ll want to look good for [“Darryl” crossed out] Billy. My brother will have to confront me because he’s my blood relative. It’s a nightmare, but funny to me. I want to get this thing in perspective in your eyes, Dad, because your opinion of me is the only important one. I need a Dad to talk to about these things sometimes. Give me some advice on the subject. How in the hell are women supposed to act?
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EE-1-T-103
I don’t think I have been promiscuous or flirting around. Someone else would have to judge that. I have a lot more self respect than I ever did before, but I’d still like to feel better about my sexual feelings. Maybe the thing to do is feel guilty, not better.
What are little boys made of?
Snakes and snails and puppy dog tails and the natural, healthy urge for sex?
What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and everything nice and guilt, guilt, guilt.
I wish I was an earthworm, they are morphodites.
Thank you Dad,
Maureen
P.S. When we get a newspaper, how about running an ad like this in the “personal section”. Single female, 28, loves children and animals, living in celibate situation with 60 other women in Dorm 2, wishes occasional friendly sex that will not interfere with dedication and work production to the Communist cause, with male between 23 and 38 – no strings attached – must have good sense of humor, good character, kind to children and animals, and a good worker-shirkers need not apply.
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EE-1-T-104
This would probably save a lot of problems like the one I ended up with, huh?
Seriously, Dad, I like to let you know what I’m up to and how things are going. I do not want you to take time to talk to me personally – that is not necessary. If you could just address the subject on the P.A. or in a Peoples Rally, I would like to hear it. I realize people have difficult mentalities and maturity like the teenagers last night on the floor, Thurman Guy, Kim Phi [Guy], Dorothy Buckley, etc and some things cannot be generalized.
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EE-1-T-105
Letter to Jim Jones from Ron Talley
This is 8 full pages and is too long but I don’t know how to condense and fully answer the questions.
To: Dad From: Ron Talley
1) How I feel about death. I feel that I love myself too much to face death easily. I do feel that I can face it but it will be hard for me. I have stepped into situations where I felt that I would surely be killed even though I could have gotten away without anyone noticing. In one case it was a matter of stepping into a crowd of 50 guys looking for blood and I went in and fought with only 6 other guys on my side. These people grabbed one of the guys I was with and I felt obligated because I was with him although he was not really a friend. I don’t want to die unless it can benefit socialism. I feel that I could face it best if I saw a threat to our nursery and toddlers, and our young people because they are not in a position to defend themselves and I could not stand by and let anything happen to any one of them. I feel that revolutionary suicide should be a last resort because when you fight with everything you have there is always a chance of winning no matter what the odds against it. To sum it up A) It will be hard for me to face death B) I feel that I can fight on knowing I will die in the end even if it must be by my own hand or the hand of one of my comrades at arms.
2) Fears I have. – I have a fear of machines, and machinery, guns because they are so dangerous and I have seen people shot
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EE-1-T-106
badly with them. Getting shot myself does not bother me too much because I don’t think it’s as bad as it looks and the body goes into some kind of shock. I fear getting old and deteriorating because my ego makes me want to look good. I fear rejection by both males and females. I fear physical violence and only care to get into if I am really mad. I was willing to join in the violence the other night in service because I am a security person and it was my job. When Michaeleen was not smiling I felt that it was an insult to you and the family so I slapped her. It got her blood all over my hand and that kind of made me feel sorry for her. I do have a problem watching Marthia [Marthea Hicks] stand on a table and kick someone as Luesther [Lue Esther Lewis] laugh and smile while smashing someone in the face. Rose Shelton, Annie McGovern [McGowan] and others you assigned seem serious about it and don’t seem to get a lot of outward joy by hurting people. Many people will stand on chairs and laugh while someone is being hit and I can’t get comfortable with that. I always wonder how people would be if you were not right there to keep a lid on it.
3) What I would do if you were gone. I would get into the fore front of this work and help the appointed leaders to carry out this work. I feel that I have not pushed to do nearly as much as
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EE-1-T-107
I can because I am lazy and don’t like to be the bad guy. I’ve sat on my ass and been ethical so long that it will be hard to change it. If I could only follow in a very minor role if you were gone I would do that. I am now working on coming up with suggestions rather than criticisms and ideas instead of always pointing out problems. I don’t want to sound too negative but with you gone at this point a lot of people would do their nut act and the religious ones might try to leave too. I think many of them that have no police records in the states really believe they can go back. Myself, I know what I have in store for me in the states. Not only am I wanted in connection with the yellow car but other things too. I’m sure I am wanted on a state level for crimes and then Federal for leaving the country in an attempt to avoid prosecution. I won’t ever try to go back because I know I can’t function in that society.
4)Would I kill my wife or daughter if they turned traitor – being that I only have 4 sisters here I would kill any one of them if they turned traitor. It would not be easy for me especially in having to kill Maureen but if she did anything to you or this work to destroy it I would kill her immediately.
5) What do I miss about the states. I miss the early mornings, some food
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EE-1-T-108
but less food as time goes on. I think the biggest thing I miss the most is my daughter. I haven’t mentioned her to you since being here because I felt that I let that situation get the best of me before I left the group, and while I was out I dealt with my competitiveness with Bunnie and my sexual hang ups with her. Cynthia was a pawn in a big game between 2 parents. I do care for Cynthia also but she has two parents now and there never was much I could have done to get her back into this cause anyway. I feel that the only way to even be reunited with Cynthia is to help build and defend this community so she could come here at the age of 18. I wrote her about Jonestown and she has the P.O. box here so that’s going to have to do. I miss newspapers and radio because I like to do critical reading of the news to see if I can spot the bullshit and find the real things. You reading the news is hard for me to grasp because I am used to something visual or seeing you when you talk. I am getting more used to the reading of the news now but have some trouble retaining it. You are good enough to read it to us and we appreciate it. I miss cars and some luxury items (so called) like that but not much. Living a hearty life here makes up for those things.
6)I have sexual feelings toward both males and females but I don’t have much sex drive left. I don’t even
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EE-1-T-109
masturbate more than once a week. I have a tendency toward younger women or girls of 16 to 20 yrs. I think this is to compensate for getting older. The males that turn me on are also of that age group but because of my fear of dealing with my homosexuality I don’t linger on it long or imagine any sexual encounter with them. I can get comfortable with a male while hugging but feel guilty when going into actual sex. With females I feel good being close and hugging and kissing but I always know I will be inadequate and end up only satisfying my own selfish needs. I always feel guilty for taking advantage of a womans emotions after I am done having sex with her but with a man I feel guilty because it was always taboo in the male world although damn near every male was doing it. also sex with another male helps me to see how a woman feels because another male is always so aggressive and rough.
7) Carrying a gun- I feel stronger and it appeals to my ego but also I feel a very heavy responsibility with one. I have a fear of guns because they are so damn powerfull and so easy to hurt someone with. I feel that I am tough when I have a gun but do my best not to swagger and to be as safe as I know how. I only know very basic things about guns and would like to learn more so I could feel more sure of myself.
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EE-1-T-110
8) this weeks news -The U.S. is worrying about the panama canal treaty. Wallace Mohamed has sold out to the C.I.A and let his brother be sent to prison without saying a word. Eldridge Cleaver left the baptists to try to get Muslim support but will not be able to save himself. The P.N.C. to P.P.P are not as far apart on their policy as it appears. Our entertainment was a smash hit in G.T. and was praised in the papers. I am on the outskirts of town where I can’t hear– I think the problems of Zimbabwe and South Africa with white rule are very bad and hearing the names and places are hard to hear in the last row of cottages near #47. I will make it a point to hear more and study the notes on the bond wall.
9) Socialism to me– it is the formula for people to reach an equal station with all other people and to stop oppression everywhere. It is the people owning and having control of natural resources and the means of production. I feel that true socialism goes to the core of each individual and must also change the feeling of the people and the individual to be successfull. It breaks down the class system and works to kill elitism. I feel that socialism is the ultimate in living for all people and is not easy to reach. Capitalism is old but still very hard to knock out especially the capitalist traits of myself. The selfishness, ego, elitist, sexual confusion
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EE-1-T-111
and class, race, and sex prejudice is all a capitalist pattern that myself and all those reaching for socialism must recognize and work on. Basically I think socialism is being responsible to the collective good of all and putting socialist principal first before self. I don’t know my politics but socialism is a collective body making responsible decisions with the input of the regular working person.
10) Major Threats– I.R.S., C.I.A., K.K.K., many conspirators like Stoen, Myrtles [Mertles], Major [Joe Mazor] and that group. Also just the decadence of the U.S. eating away at our people. Here we have to also watch out for the C.I.A. who have infiltrated this government and also I think we should watch Venezuela just to be safe. Capitalism is embarrassed by us and our success is their failure.
Dad;
I am not trying to leave Jonestown. I got involved in the G.T. show by request of Patty Cartmell – Rob asked me if I wanted to go to the ridge for saw dust and I said yes – [“but” crossed out] I had been working at the chickery on a rotation plan off of patrol. I do like to do exciting things just as many do but as far as I’m concerned I’ll be content if I never go out of this community. I know I have let my mouth get me into trouble and the confrontation made me do a lot of thinking about myself and my reasons
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EE-1-T-112
for it. I don’t think I’ll ever get out from the stigma of having left this group once but I was the one who did it and I must face the music for my actions. In fact I would be a candidate for being an agent but all I can say is I’m not an agent or informer and never will be. I’m going to make it here in Jonestown and help to spread socialism by setting an example here. Thank you for letting me be a part of the security here and [crossed out word] trusting me to bring me here. I will keep working on myself to be a positive person and not question everything.
Thank You Dad
Ron Talley
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Letter to Jim Jones from Ron Talley, July 1978
EE-2-s-1a
31/7/78
Dad;
In the last couple of weeks Christine has been negative around me a few times. It has been for petty gripes about things like being able to type the news or Edith Roller not wanting to allow any talking after 11:00 PM in the cottage where her & Christine live.
One important thing she told me was that she listened to the 2 engineers from Georgetown under the house. I thought that was very poor judgment to tell me that.
Christine is a very passive female and I’m sure she has an attraction for me. Some people have asked me if Christine is my girlfriend because they see me with her and I usually don’t spend time talking to women very much so it must be very noticeable. The female I am most attracted to is Shanda James but I don’t intend to pursue it. Not that it could possibly be a mutual attraction.
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EE-2-s-1b
I am very happy here in Jonestown and find my job on Vacuum Storage very challenging and satisfying. Once in a while every argue with someone over a paint and I feel it is my fault for being stubborn when I feel I’m right. I feel I can work harder at my job and will do so in the future. I need to be more humble in all aspects of my life here because I am so very lucky to be here with you. Thank you for giving me another chance in this cause and teaching me and the whole community about the world picture and socialism. Socialism isn’t completely structured in some countries but whatever socialism a country has is better than all the filthy shit capitalism has to offer. You have provided us with a very rewarding socialist experience and it is improving every day.
Thank You Dad
Ron Talley
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Letter to Jim Jones from Ron Talley, September 1978
EE-2-s-6a – 6b
Dad;
I was saddened to hear about the violence in town during the visit by Don Freed. I can’t seem to understand people and why they do shit like that. The first time I’ve had to catch up on things I’ve wanted to do since I got here and it’s really been nice. It’s too bad we have to be geared to the people who probably won’t ever get the idea of what you are teaching us here. It’s not your fault, they don’t get it, Dad, they just refuse to see. I don’t like all the structure needed to control this shit and I don’t feel I need as much as some because I do want to be here and this is my home but I’ll go along with whatever it takes. I’m thankful to be here no matter what happens.
I still like some decadent music and laugh and joke too much but I don’t think these things will hurt anyone or divert me from my work here. I’m very interested in food storage and planning.
This is a good life for a guy like me, Dad, so I want you to know that you’ve done more than anyone else ever did for me and I won’t forget it. I’m sure there are many who are grateful for what you’ve done for us, so there is a lot of success here even though some won’t try to line up.
Thank you again
Ron Talley
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Ron Talley
EE-2-s-7a – 7d
Dad;
Christine [Talley] spoke about Debbie Blakey and said she told the papers that we put kids on ant hills, that we locked them in a box, that there were speakers all over town & fields that play sermons about religion all day. She told how she got drunk on some wine in the SF Temple. Also how Rick Cordell was screwing up on a trip to Chicago & how Jack Beam had to punch him in the nose once. I told how Rick bothered me about my bus driving and then told me how he was sexually attracted to me later. She said her mother writes that she really doesn’t feel that Christine is free to come and go as she told her. We talked of what sm asshole David Wise turned out to be.
Christine’s input was mostly on these subjects and she had very little input when Penny & I spoke about Tim Stoen & Deanna Myrtle [Mertle] being traitors & mentioned a few shitty things they had done.
I think Christine does miss the States and when the subject comes up she doesn’t come up with much negative to say about the States & conditions there.
I think Christine as a sexual attraction toward Sebastian McMurray [McMurry] and myself but she does not come around Sebastian since he got confronted on the floor. She is very paranoid in general as though her every move might give something away. I will continue to talk to her and let you know what she says.
The reason I have been talking to her is that she has an electric coffee pot and sometimes would give me some coffee or heat some up for me.
I hope I have not let you down by talking with her. I usually talk for a few minutes every other day.
I enjoy my job working on the barrels and find it very rewarding to see how well I can do it. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to live without looking for a drug or something to blank my mind out.
Thank you again
Ron Talley
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EE-1-T-7 – T-10
Undated note to Jim Jones from Ron Talley
Sunday
Dad;
Last night I spent 2 hours with Christine and Zaretta [Zuretti] Langston and her sister studying news. She did not say anything negative but I think that is because she knows I will report her. After that I was with her on the crew that makes night workers sandwiches with a few other people but that was just work & not much talking. I think it will take awhile before she would say something I might report.
I will keep you posted on what goes on from now because we have a study group for the news with myself, Zaretta [Zuretti] & Mary Anita [Marianita] Langston, Christine & possibly Dorothy Rollins & more may be added. If you feel that it would serve no purpose for me to spend so much time talking to Christine since she knows I will report I could just sort of drop out of that study group & get into the one that is going to start in cottage 47 where I live.
Thank you Dad
Ron Talley
P.S. I’m glad we are going to cut down on some of these planning committees & just get to work building Jonestown.
I was getting kind of frustrated going to committees & sub-committees & we did not seem to come up with any final solutions but just formed more committees each time we meant [met].
I am very satisfied on the barrel project and find it a challenge but very rewarding at the same time. I feel our food will be safe & clean for years and I’ll work very hard to that end.
I’ll never cease to be amazed by the way you have come up with the funds to take care of our needs. In the 9 months I’ve been here it’s been millions. You been planning while I was sleeping & working while I sat on my ass in the states. I do feel guilt for this every time you tell how much an item costs or I research further into our food storage & find out how much you are paying just for a meal here. Thank you for caring about us Dad.
Ron Talley
For Dads eyes only [written on the letter outside of letter when folded]
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EE-1-T-11 – T-14
Undated note to Jim Jones from Ron Talley
Dad;
Last Wednesday during our study group the subject of Debbie Blakey came up and during the conversation Christine said that a lot of people are coming up now and saying “Yea, I knew Debbie would be a traitor she never worked hard in San Francisco.” Christine said if they felt that way it was their responsibility to write it up & not wait until now and talk about it. She said Debbie had been her friend in the states and she was a hard worker there, then she said Debbie is a bitch.
Sunday Christine was in the food line complaining loudly about how slow it was going (it was going very slow compared to the usual). Later in the day I talked to her and she said “I’ll probably get written up for what I said in the food line this morning. Since then she has not been confronted this last few days I think she will have more to say to me. Christine seems to want to spill her guts if someone will just sit down and listen. She is a very passive female as I get to know her better & spends a lot of time on her own comforts and luxuries.
During our day off on Sunday I did not see any decadent behavior nor did others I asked about it. Many worked around cottages or washed clothes. There were not any groups of youth just hanging around but there was some music coming out of some cottages. If we do this more we will be able to see how it will really effect [affect] people. I think it kind of took people by surprise and they really didn’t know how to act. I know that I didn’t have anything planned and I spent a lot of time just reading and resting.
This new program for administration sounds real good to me and will cut away some of the time consuming committees & red tape so we can get something done. It looks like you are making a system that people can relate to better and & minipulate [manipulate] less.
Thank you Dad
Ron Talley
For Dad’s Eyes Only
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EE–1–T–31
September 1977 loyalty statement from Vera Talley
Sept 6 –1977
and to the concentration – camp would destroyed peoples an[d] to you speak about the chemical in water would kill peoples of all color, an[d] would not touch paper.
all people ought to be thankful for the great opportunity that you have given us. For we would be beat up an[d] on starve vacation [starvation] if we did not have a Savior like you. Th[e] neutron bomb is [illegible word] to the peoples, so we just proud of your teachings.
Mother Talley
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EE-1-T-71
Lucille Taylor Statement of Loyalty, September 1977
Jonestown, Guyana
Sept 6, 1977
Dear Father:
I am grateful to be a Guyanese citizen. Thank you Father for bring [bringing] me to this freedom land. It is the end of worry, wants and limitation. I am grateful to be free from earthquakes, food shortage because there was no rain. Unemployment.
The fact that the K.K.K. have open more chapters in Calif since we left. The low rate of high Blood Pressure among our people. Being reduced from over 100 persons to 2 people.
Cleometric theory means to bring back slavery to blacks. Three countries refused to sign, U.$.A., Union of South Africa and Chile. They are all capitalist countries. The penalty law. If a person is arrested as young as 14 yrs and doesn’t answer an officer as he thinks he should he can be put in jail without trial.
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EE-1-T-72
The genoside [genocide] weapon can wipe out a minority group black or brown by putting certain chemicals in food or water in ghetto communities.
The Bakke decision does not Permit any minor person black Brown red etc to go to any college in the U.$.A.
The Lazar beam that Russia has that can stop any bomb. Russia most likely will be country that will stop the nuclear war.
The nutron bomb can wipe out a group of people and wont destroy a piece of paper on a desk.
Thank you Father
Lucille Taylor
D. 4. Jonestown Guyana
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EE-1-T-84
Bernice Thomas poem
POEM FROM BERNICE THOMAS ABOUT LYNETTA:
Although she’s gone, Jim Jones’ mother was the greatest mother I’ve even known.
She had a son by the name of Jim Jones. He is the greatest man the world has ever known.
He brought over 800 people from the United States to Guyana and gave them a home.
A lot of people thought it was a mistake,
But he gave the FBI and CIA a hell of a shake.
He is the greatest man the world has ever seen and his mother, Lynetta, lived to see him accomplish his dream.
She’s gone but not forgotten. She’s the greatest mother the world has ever known.
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EE-1-T-77
Bernice Thomas Statement of Loyalty, Undated
Father,
Until I met Jim Jones I didn’t care anything about socialism or believe in it, because everything was phony and you couldn’t trust nobody. Until I met Jim Jones I didn’t believe or trust nobody. I told him in 1970 I never wanted him to leave me & I am here with him again to live or die. People talk about God, Jim Jones is the only God I know. When my dad died in 1934 he said he was leaving me in the hands of the living God, he preached his own funeral & that is what he had the sactified [sanctified] preachers & he would have been dead before if he gave me up.
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EE-1-T-78
He told me to take the world as I find it and Jesus as my friend, but Jim Jones is the only friend I know, and I am ready to die whenever he goes. If we have to die, let it be with Jim Jones and Marceline Jones, the only Socialists I know.
Bernice Thomas
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Bernice Thomas regarding Tim Stoen
EE-2-s-2
[Editor’s note: Spelling errors corrected throughout.]
dear Jim I think the reason you are sick because the way Tim Stone [Stoen] and all the rest of them that went up the church is doing and Tim Stone is the cause of it and the people here is not doing right they won’t do right they act like they hated one another and they act like they hate you and you do so much for us all and we all do so little to show you we do appreciate it Tim Stone is the cause of Chris [Lewis] being killed and that hurt you.
Bernice Thomas
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Confession of Gabriel Thomas, January 1978
EE-2-s-12a
[Editor’s note: Spelling errors corrected throughout.]
1-31-78
Dear Dad
This is my confession for holding up my hand last night when I did not understand all of the rules. I haven’t been here long now Dad and I am trying hard to learn all the rules. So please forgive me for this time, and I will try hard to be right the next time.
Thank you Dad
Gabriel Thomas
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Undated note from Scott Thomas
EE-1-S-102 – S-103
To: Dad
Re: Homosexual Feelings and Act’s
From: Scott Thomas, Jr
About 3wks ago – me and Marvin Janaro engage in a homosexual act. I suck his dick & he suck mine. We was going to do it in the boy’s shower but somebody came in – so we went to the boy’s shower by the cottages. There that’s when Dale Parks came in and wrote it up.
In the counciling session it was explain to me that what we did was anarchist. Even though I already knew about the rules. I am doing 3 months with Linda Sadler at the same time this happen. A decision wasn’t made if I should tell Linda Sadler what I did. So they told me to write it up and ask you.
Every so often I get this (urge) feeling to have an affair with a guy. I just want to have sex with the person (man) to release the sperm. Also to experience that “good feeling” [so-called Good Feeling] before a person gets ready to sperm.
About 3 or 4 days ago I have jack off in my bed. I know if I really wanted to; I don’t have to be going through these changes every time I get the feeling to do it with some guy. I am going to work on it.
Thank You Dad!
[Handwritten on reverse side of paper]: To: Dad Personal
To: Dad Personal
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Undated Confession to Jim Jones from Scott Thomas
EE-2-ij-11
To: Dad
c/o Maria K. [Katsaris]
Re: Russell Moton
Fr: Scott T. [Thomas]
(Fri night) Last night Russel & I had a homosexual affair in the Agriculture office. It was sometime after 12 midnight. After the entertainment last night, he came up by the PA. I told him I will meet him later. Then he said he would be in the agriculture office. When I came to the Agriculture office – it seem like he didn’t want to do it; I guess because he couldn’t find a place. Russell told me also that he had had an affair with Gary Tyler before. He thought I had already known about it from Gary. The agreement was I & him was supposed to meet in the tool shed in a house. I came there & waited for 20 minutes; so I left to check at the Agriculture office. All through the day when we came in contact, he smiled & spoke.
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Undated Letter to Jim Jones from Scott Thomas
EE-2-ij-12a
[Editor’s note: Spelling and grammatical errors corrected throughout.]
To: Dad
c/o Maria K. [Katsaris]
Fr: Scott Thomas, Junior
Re: Russell Moton
I told him that I have a problem which has been bothering me for several weeks. I told him I didn’t want to burden Dad with it, because I felt Dad would think badly of me, even though I really knew that he wouldn’t. I also told him that I didn’t want to write it up to Ava [Jones] or John [Moss Brown] because they might tell Dad. Told him of how Dad would say he’s tired of every fuckin complaints & why don’t peoples solve their own problems. Told him once when I told somebody my deep feelings – that person told me to write it up to someone else & that the person dissociated himself from me. Told him I was inhabited by people thoughts & what will people think of you after they found out about me. In response to all of this – this is what he said:
He told me about the time he had a homosexual affair with a guy outside the church & how it was mentioned publicly from the pulpit. He said he felt embarrassed. When it was mentioned, people who have thought of him as a good man, said “What…” (They was shocked by this). He told me that his friends didn’t treat him different after that. But for a couple of days he was at a low point. He said people forget what somebody has done in a day or two because other people are brought up on the floor, and there’s meetings after meetings; so a person tried to forget what you have done on the floor. He told me that Dad was tired of people who complain time after time about petty things. He said Dad wasn’t talking about the people who don’t ever complain who write things up. I told him I was a homosexual & I was attracted to him for some reason or another. He said I was attractive. Told him I wanted to have an affair (sex) with him. He asked me about Linda – what about her? I told him that Linda knows I mess around with guys & that she understood the problem I had and that she didn’t think of me any different than anybody else. He told me that Gary Tyler likes me. In response to this
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EE-2-ij-12b
I told him that before I went to Georgetown – 2 or 3 months before, I had an affair with him. I also told him that I told Gary in a nice way not to hurt his feelings that I don’t like him.
After all of this – he said he would go to bed & sleep on it. Also, last night – he said he will talk to me tomorrow night. Today when he came through the pavilion, he turned to me & smiled.
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Note to Jim Jones from Willieater Thomas
EE-1-T-113
Father,
Do I really want to go to the Freedom Land? yes I do really want to go. But what I did today wasn’t right and now I realized how much trouble I could got the Church in.
What Im willing to do to get to freedom? I willing to do any thing to get to freedom from now on anything. I will check with the Office & Council before I do anything.
Willieater Thomas
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The Writings of the Touchette Family
—–
EE-1-T-69
Essie Mae Towns Statement of Loyalty, September 1977
Jonestown, Guyana
Sept 11, 77
Socialism is sharing with all comrades and working together as one and I am willing to die on this ground we now stand on than go back to USA soil, I would rather die here than to go back and if we go to another country would take us in with graciousness and I love it here on this soil.
A Comrade
Essie Mae Towns
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EE-1-T-115
Note to Jim Jones from Essie Mae Towns
Feb-17-78
About losing my life by the poising [poisoning] I made up my mind that the best years of my life were behind me as I am 74 years old so to leave the miseries of this earth would be great as I can’t do nothing. I would like to do so now we have so many pressures put on us all by the media outside, I learn more each time we have a session like yesterday makes me stronger.
Essie Mae Towns
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Undated Note to Jim Jones from Le Flora Townes
EE-2-s-11
I think you worry more about your children being kidnap from you.
How to make money. Sell peanuts chicken or rice.
Le Flora Townes
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The Writings of Harriet Sarah Tropp
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EE-1-T-130
Undated note to Jim Jones from Al Tschetter
Dad
I am again requesting for a special mission. Realizing fully that it could cost me my life for what better cause could I die. When they have killed my brother & an attempt on the life of the mother of the socialist movement. This calls for a vendatta. This makes it a personal vendatta. If I am not trusted, you can send someone with me. I have no desire to return to the States only to fulfill a vendetta.
Thank you, Dad
Al Tschetter
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EE-1-UVWXYZ-4 – UVWXYZ-6
September 1977 letter to Robin Tschetter from unknown person
What’s happen:
Robin I am sorry it has taken me so long to write back, but you know how much I like to write. Well it was so good to talk to you on the patio. It made my hole day. Sometime while I am working I think of the small thing we nine together, like walking at this beach or jumping off cars, even the night in Richmond. That’s one I will never forget.
Everyone is doing fine, and said hi.
Oh make sure you bring thing for our house.
You know I lost my little black bag all of my picture, and papers hair grass, all my mother fucking! glasses, knife, deodorant. If you can do anything about this please do. Oh I got your picture, but some thing happen to it send more. Well they are ready to go, so I will have to stop writing. Good to hear you are work hard. Show the bed make at all Jonestown. I love it here and I never well come back there, so work hard and I see you when you get here.
Slae
9/16/77
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EE-1-T-48
Note from Alleane Tucker, January 1, 1978
Jan 1. 1978
Dad may I have an extension on the rate, I do have hostility some [3 words illegible]. I have also some attractions I do not recall Rita conversation it sure sounded like me (over)
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EE-1-T-49
Alleane Tucker
wich would mean this seem to be directed at me (or go for me). and example I ask Sandigo [could be Sandy Cobb, could be Santiago Rosa] to remove hanging cloth the inspector come and Dad when I went back to [illegible word, could be “coordinator”] office she said up your ass hole with the clothes so she took off and hang them there at my head.
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Letter to Larry Tupper from father Lawrence Tupper
EE-1-T-134
12-14-77
1.
Dear Larry
I am very glad to get letters from you. I love you very much. Did you have a happy birthday? Hurry up and tell everyone to come back to U.S. Jim Jones did a very bad thing to take you and the kids down there to South America, he knows he was breaking the law.
Write to me or after as often as you can, and be sure and tell me how you are
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EE-1-T-135
2.
feeling and everything about it. Don’t write what they tell you to write, unless it will get you in a lot of trouble. I have been expecting a phone call from you.
bye for now,
Miss you,
I Love you
Dad
P.S. please tell me where Ruth is if you can.
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Letter to Mary Tupper from father Lawrence Tupper
EE-1-T-137
12-14-77
1.
Dear Mary
How are you feeling by now I’d love very much to hear from you. I would much rather you would write me a long letter about yourself and what you are doing. You are getting pretty big and mature, you have just had a birthday, I would like to see you.
Don’t write me any of the silly nonsense that Jim Jones tells you to write. Of course I don’t want you to get in trouble, but write often and about yourself if you can. You know I am sure, that none of you are
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EE-1-T-138
2.
supposed to be in South America. And your mother and Jim Jones are definitely breaking the law.
Little Larry is in my custody, and I know he doesn’t like it there.
Write as much and as often as you can
I love you very much
Dad
P.S. write and tell me where Ruth is please
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Letter to Janet Tupper from father Lawrence Tupper
EE-1-T-140
1.
11-30-77
1156 Filbert Ave.
Chico, CA. 95926
Dear Janet,
I was very glad to hear from you. I Love you so very much.
I hope that you get this letter. I would very much like to be able to talk to you. I am sure that some one down there will open this letter and read it, before you get a chance to see it.
It is very obvious that the letters I have received
[note written in a box: “This is page 1, there are 5 pages”]
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EE-1-T-141
2.
have been written according to rules and saying only approved of things.
Janet, I would so much rather get letters written by you, and not what they tell you to write.
Janet, don’t get in trouble, but if you can write me a letter and date it, and address the envelope yourself. Okay?
[note written in a box: “This is page 2, there are 5 pages”]
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EE-1-T-142
3.
Janet, I don’t know how much you know about it, but your mother took you kids down there without permission, particularly little Larry, who I am sure is very unhappy. She of course has broken the law, as he is in my custody. She called after she got down there, saying she would bring you all back before school started, of course that was another lie.
[note written in a box: “This is page 3, there are 5 pages”]
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EE-1-T-143
4.
Of course I don’t know how much she is forced to do, against her will.
Janet, I Love you so much, I cry because you all are down there, write quickly if you can. Do not get in trouble, if you can’t write, what you want to.
You will get away from there. Tell the other kids to write, right away, in their own words.
[note written in a box: “This is page 4, there are 5 pages”]
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EE-1-T-144
5
If Ruth is down there tell her to write, so I will know whether she has been hurt or something. Janet, Honey I don’t really expect you will get this letter but if you do, write back as soon as you can. Tell all the Kids I Love them
Love Love Dad
[note written in a box: “This is page 5, there are 5 pages”]
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EE-1-T-145
[Letter sent Return Receipt Requested]
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Letter to Jim Jones from Larry Tupper regarding his father Lawrence
EE-1-T-149
Dad, I still miss these people in the states David and Steven Tupper and Steven’s wife and my two nephews I’m worried about them getting killed back in the United States my so called dad never took care of me when I was growing up so Steven always took care of me and he was more of a dad to me than Mr. Tupper. Here’s how I would plan out my death being able to get a knife or an iron bar and be able to kill my so called dad
Larry Tupper
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EE–1–T–30
Undated statement on socialism from Mary Tupper
socialism–is the only way, it is beautiful. each according to his [illegible word, likely “ability”] to each according to his [illegible word, likely “need]. I would fight for socialism and even die! I being white must fight even to proof that I really believe. My black brother and sister have been through so much more than I have. If I can’t leave [live] under socialism I don’t want to live. We only have this one life to live, what is the use of your dieing, if you die for nothing, I want my death to have a meaning!
Sign
Mary Tupper
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The Writings of Rita Tupper [Lenin]
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EE-1-L-69
Undated letter to Jim Jones from Ruth Tupper [Lenin]
Dad,
I think we should help the children and the seniors to graduate. Then I think we should go on the offensive. I agree with Steven [Stephan Jones]. It doesn’t make sense to just sit here and be picked off. If we did that they could just sit here and wait on them for days and keep us up all night for days and make us lose all our production and then when we’re so tired just come in and get us without a good as fight as we could give them. I would like the privilidge of having a bomb tied to me or be burned alive. The point you made about cowards is true, so to make sure that they’d not be left to talk we may be forced to stay here and fight a defensive battle. I don’t think we should go any place. I’m tired. I don’t want to run anymore we’d only just have the same trouble any where we go. I’m just sorry our people in the States aren’t here with us. I’m glad to know that our enemys will be taken care of when we make our stand. Thank you for the honor of living and now dieing for something worthwhile.
Thank you Dad Ruth Lenin
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Undated letter to Jim Jones from Ruth Tupper [Lenin]
[Editor’s note: The last two pages of this four-page document are in reverse order on the PDF.]
Dear Dad;
After Joyce Touchette served rice and gravy for dinner when she knew Mazer [Joe Mazor] was going to be here for dinner and she had repeatedly been told to prepare the best when he was here, I first thought it was just direct hostility towards you. But the more I think about it I think it goes deeper than that. I think the serving of rice and gravy was intentional. Charlie [Touchette] once turned you & us into the FBI. Well maybe Joyce and Charlie never got out. It all fits in. They’ve never had to give up anything to be a part of this cause. They’ve always had the new clothes, special foods, sodas & all things they’d get as capitalists on the outside. Even while they were so-called communal in the Valley, they had all this. They have never really put out any hard work here or in the States. Hardly no progress was made in Jonestown continue came down here & they were in leadership. There [Their] elitism caused people to be hostile and to leave this project before you came. They’d have everybody else working and would just sit around & do nothing for the most part, causing people to be very hostile. That’s why I believe there was a plan made to hold the Touchettes under guard until you came. It’s a perfect CIA set up. They have always got what they wanted, didn’t have to work, they slowed down the progress of the project and they’ve caused people to be so hostile they leave. There is of course no excuse for anyone leaving, no matter what they should have stayed. They cause division & I think a lot of our people acting out (such as stealing, etc.) because they are so bold as to flash their special foods & other special privileges they take in front of people. I at 1st couldn’t understand how they could do it & be so bold if they’re CIA it all fits in. I understand people have to be given and treated certain ways for the betterment of the cause, to save trouble before it’s time to have that trouble. Another thing that fits in is that they are so self-righteous about everyone else doing even the littlest thing wrong (which I agree people should be corrected) but do so much themselves. I understand if nothing is done about them because as I said before I know people have to be treated specially. I know you do this for us, and it proves your dedication to communism by your doing so. If you have given everything & done everything possible to help further this cause and I thank you, but I know I just have to show it in my work. I may be totally wrong but I just thought I’d give you my opinion.
Thank you, Ruth Tupper
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EE-1-T-6
Undated confession from Ruth Tupper
I have a sexual attraction for Keith Wright
Ruth Tupper
—–
EE-1-T-18
Undated statement from Gary Tyler
Gary Tyler List of people I am attracted to
Name – What I like about the person
Keith Wright – I like his aggressiveness and physique
Jerry Wilson – I think he’s cute and gentle
Stanley Wright – His aggressiveness and physique
Sebastian McMurray – His eyes, smile, and strength and character
Chris Newall [Newell] – His build
Karl Burnett – His eyes, strength, body, and mannerisms
Joe Wilson – His aggression, strength, and physique
Ricky Johnson – His physique
Kenny Reed – His female mannerism and physique and his eyes
Lee Ingram – His aggression
Johnny Cobb – He’s cute
Ronnie Dennis – His body
Bruce Oliver – His physique and character
Ronnie James – His eyes, character, and understanding
Burrell Wilson – His looks
Preston Wade – His eyes and body
Calvin Douglas – His strength, body, and routy manner
Cardell Neal – His eyes and character
Johnny Jones – His eyes and character
Chris Rozynco [Rozynko] – His eyes and body
I have a sexual attraction for all of them; some more than others. Very few of them know it but they do respect it. I have been used by males. I’ve also been raped by males.
Gary Tyler
Thank you for your love and concern for all of us Father
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