Letters of Sandy Bradshaw

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[Handwritten notes]

SF Union

Dear Sir,

Recently it has been brought to my attention that one of your columnists – Lester Kinsolving it is going to write an [article] once again about my church Peoples Temple. I am very sorry to hear this because of the man’s obvious

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Sharon [Amos] –

I’m sorry I was upset Friday when you called. I felt badly after we hung up. I just felt so pressured by having in my mind a certain [illegible word] I wanted to get done – & then so little time to do it.

(And things are piled up on my job, too) Anyway – I got a big dent in my files accomplished – I work thru until late last night before I came.

If you get some SF together for V’s – I can do some New Year’s Day a lot of our people would be out of town to RV [Redwood Valley] so it seems like a good time to do it –

See you later –

SB

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8/31/77

Carolyn [Layton] –

How are you doing? I miss seeing you and our occasional talks, however brief. I’m glad you are there tho – since I know your organizing ability to so desperately needed. I can imagine how hectic things are there – and the counseling situations etc. And the pain he is going thru over John [Victor Stoen] – plus the separation from the rest of the family.

I wish I could alleviate any part of his concern but I feel helpless to do so. I know the most important thing I can do is to hold my post here – and that I will do – that is no problem.

Actually things are not going all that bad here. I mean besides being in a mild crisis functioning state most of the time – not many major type things. And I am really very honestly surprised at the morale here – people are hanging on to this

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point – but then – they have all been watching others go – I hope the slowdown doesn’t dampen anything. I really don’t think it will tho – cause they know we are closing shop. I do worry somewhat about the people in LA & RV [Redwood Valley] (too far removed for my liking). But we are working on consolidating, and will keep [in] touch as best we can.

 Debbie B. [Blakey] is doing fine – she is holding up very well considering Lisa’s [Layton] situation. It would be good for her tho – if as soon Lisa can travel – that she (Lisa) come over – It would be too bad on Debbie to have Lisa die here. Lisa would have to sneak off without her family knowing. Maybe she could be ready by the time MJ [Marceline Jones] comes in several weeks. Lisa is in good spirits & is up & around pretty well.

TB [Terri Buford] is doing all right. She looks better than she has for a while – not so haggard & seems to have gained a little weight. MJ is beginning

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to get tired kind of easily again. She has good days & bad as far as that goes. It will be good for her to come down again and several weeks – as I understand the plan to be.

Not much time – I have decided it is best I go to LA with her this weekend to deflect some of the counseling shit that is bound to come up. I think [illegible word] is so subtly hostile they will dump it on her. I think I know how much she can take & I go from there. Though I know she does not really like me (or any of us who have been with Hill [codename for Jim Jones] –) (I know it’s not personal). Being here serves a definite purpose. It is difficult only at times – and TB is most sympathetic – so it is really not a problem. Please let him know that so he won’t worry about how we are dealing with her.

Most of the time it is just

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fine – and the other time – it just tries my patients a bit – But I have had fairly good training for that on my job over the years – it’s nothing I can’t handle.

I hope there is enough candy & gum for him to give all the kids (under 12 probably?) a piece. Also – I will periodically send stationary as you have so many people & they all should write whoever –

Let me know what is needed therefore any personal needs (vitamins, usual, etc.) – if I am not sending enough – or often enough – let me know. It is no problem to get it – I enjoy being out of the building for a short time.

I will go for now – I miss you all – say hello to Maria [Katsaris], Paula [Adams], Patty [Cartmell], – you know – everybody. Give the boys a hug for me – Give my deepest respects to Jim –

Love, Sandy

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TB [Terri Buford]–

 JJ should know that I am getting absolutely nowhere as far as seeing how Sharon Cobb is doing –

She is avoiding me completely – Nat [Nathaniel Brown Swaney] is friendly when I go there – but Sharon doesn’t have time to even talk. I think she is paranoid about me –

I’m a big flop with her – Mary Lou [Clancey] rides to work with her – maybe she can see how she is holding up – Sharon is so isolated there – (only Renée for contact)

SB

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CL [Carolyn Layton] –

I will miss you again – very much. Your companionship & friendship has always been a great strength to me –

I look forward to another time –

Love, SB