EE-3-O-1 – O-2
Apology to Jim Jones from Don Fields over expenditures, August 21, 1977
Dear Father, I feel badly for the way of $ – I had got to you. I had only about one and a half hours to get home from the hospital and pack. I tried to organize my papers and leave all such for the accounting office. I left some notes as what went with what. I left what I thought was all credit cards. (Left one – BA – took 1 – B of A) The check book existed to pay off any bills that existed (1) before becoming totally communal. (Escrow did not close till after I was here a few weeks).
Even when we did fill out communal need sheets, it was about two months before moving to SF until that was taken care of.
(2) An amount was needed for Shirlee to enter school. She enrolled before we actually moved to SF, so money was due for classes & books.
(3) I had ordered some rx books (Jan) & a couple of magazine subscriptions were due also.
(4) The Pharmacy group that I was head of wanted to expand more so in N. Calif – In LA, I received monthly expenses and they continued that when I moved to SF. (They didn’t why I had moved to SF)
I met with many people (pharmacists) to get some workers for the group. Various people from the group came to SF from LA. I had to take them out. (Our apt was too small to invite them over; 3 of us in a bedroom.)
In other words, I had to “pretend” we were looking for a house & our apartment was too small. I didn’t use the real address, just PO box 15156 (even at work). Also, they paid for all these expenses (the group) I grabbed the checkbook when we moved and was going to straighten it out here. (Didn’t spend any $)
I have no excuse, really – I did not handle the problem correctly.
Thank you for being so kind with me. I’ll try to use my head next time.
Don Fields
—–
EE-3-Q
Discussion of music program from Princeola Bryant, June 1978
Monday 6-78
To our socialist leader, the one and only one, Jim Jones.
I, Princeola Bryant and others (2), arrange this short program honoring twenty of our lovely ssi’1s from time to time. We will honor them all.
1st – Band playing soft music, hello darling – they all will be escorted on stage by two young men.
They may be seated, each will be asked to tell the most interesting experience that has happened to them, each three minutes to tell.
After this, they all stand and we all will sing.
Lift every voice and sing till socialist ring out, ring with the harmony of liberty. Let our rejoicing rise high as the lifting skies – let it resound as loud as the rolling sea.
(Course) [Chorus] – Sing a song full of the faith that our leader has brought we, sing a song facing the rising sun as our new day begun. Let us march on till victory is won.
Second v. [verse] – Stonney the road he has traveled, bitter the chasting rod felt in the days when he was stoned, yet with a steady beat, have not his weary feet brought us to the place where all people are free. (Course)
The ladies will now be escorted off stage with music by the band. (Soft)
Ladies will tell jokes.
(Next) Band will play a number, we all will dance, doing our thing for a short time, then, we will stop and arrange ourselves and sing.
—–
EE-3-AA-1 – AA-2
Letter to Jim Jones from Diana Dean Smith, summer 1978
7.8.78
Dear Dad,
I have been covering ass for someone whom I like very much. I don’t know why I held back for so long as much as you have stressed these type of acts. Ruth Lenin is pregnant and if anything would happen to her, I feel it would be my fault. She told me this about 3 wks ago, but I thought she had told the nurses and yesterday, (Sunday) she told me no one knew but a few people, but we didn’t go into names. I fear that living in a situation like this, she might try to do something to loose the baby and cause more harm to herself. My conscience would not let me hold back anymore because if treason occurred, it would be a part of mine or all of my fault for not reporting this incident. I told her how I lost my first child by trying to work and do heavy lifting so she might try lifting over her ability. As far as I know, the young man doesn’t know about when she told me, Rita didn’t know then. I knew it was my duty to see that it was turned in. I wrote this up because I love Rita as a sister and she looks to me as one. We see eye to eye in principal, but when it comes to [illegible word], that’s different, because I told her to leave Keith Wright alone because he would only use her, but she felt she needed comfort or someone to talk to and he was the only one around at the time or the only one she really wanted. I looked at myself because if this happened to me, I would need someone to talk to. I want her to know that if I hadn’t turned it in, then I wouldn’t be a socialist trying to become communist under Dad’s laws and teachings. I didn’t tell my companion until I started writing it up because I’m sure he wouldn’t let me keep it to myself. I hope some of us learn from the mistakes around us. I feel better about the situation because I’m sure sooner or later, someone would notice it.
Thank you, Dad.
Diana Dean Smith
—–
EE-3-KK-1 – KK-5
Letter to Jim Jones from Gregorio Rodriguez, Santa Barbara, June 1978
June 19, 1978
Sta. Barbara, Ca 93103
Dear Pastor Jim Jones –
I am getting ready, doing all I can, to be with my Father, together with my wife to work and to help, to see all can if some in S. Frisco, if able to help me move my staff, to sure let me know, what things I must take, and what it is not needed over there, to discard or leave, I am in need of health now, because she Aurora [Rodriguez] is not here.
It is very hard for me to get around, do things here, I sure want go to that beautiful country, I am tired around this mess, I think I must make a mistake not to go at the time she left, but I was waiting for those documents of the retirement zistem in Sacramento, and that hold me down, left me behind, I hope soon will be okay, that the way I did will be okay. But I want to know for sure, I have to call them, in Sacramento to see if they will understand me, (I speak not good, I write better) to find out if they will get all things in document right, and if soon they start sending, and when the first check, so as soon as I get to know, I like to call them in, Peoples Temple in Geary St. in Frisco to see if they give me a hand, because as soon I can I want to be with my Father, taken out of here. To me this is not good here, I can’t make it no more, life is lonesome, it is terrible in the States, I am not good here, the young generation, I am scared to walk at night, they seem not to respect, and many killers, crazy, and my age, I am afraid alone – please have mercy – on me, I cry and cry. You see me, at the meetings in LA when I used to go, oh how I need to be right there with you, I sure miss you, but I was [illegible word] to my work, not wanting to get out yet.
But now in between the two men my wife, she say to me better retire, so I did and now, I am ready but I need, to fix this thing about retirement documents, I hope they will soon be fix… But for me I am ready to leave, so they will send me away over to Guyana – right there where Father is, and my wife and kids, and Gloria, and baby, and all many many of my precious ones, who I miss too much. Father please have mercy and do, help me so I can manage, to go, or that they will send me too, like they did my beloved wife, please please tell her when you see her, that I love her very much, and I want to be with her, as soon as possible, so we be together right there, living with our Father. I remember when you used to tell us, (me and wife) and S. Francisco church, oh loved love ones, and give us blessings, I never forget, and when you did told me blessed blessed dear brother… In the trip when we was going to Canada and Washington, I am now so that many things don’t know how to do, example – I don’t know if they come in a pickup or some truck to pick up some of my staff [stuff], and Aurora staff here to be sent to – the agricultural mission – by surface, and other for me to take over there, and also I don’t know if they get me into cumun [commune] – so to wait there from the time, they will be ready to send me. I have to know, many things in advance so to know how to get or iron out things, to be right at right time, example to give a notice a month ahead for to the landlords here that I will leave their trailer, vacant. I will try to call tomorrow to find out how is the documents, moreless set… I going to work about 3 wks for one man to get some money to pay rent and other payment for this coming month, Father please – if you wish let or tell them over in church to see me or help me, and if you wish that I be admitted into comun, as soon as I will let them know that this thing’s been fix the papers or about retirement, and that way I will move over there or that they advise me how to go, argue about it, to be there at San Francisco church – in cumun so to be ready to be sent to Guyana like my wife.
My beloved reverend Jim Jones, in a little while more, I sure would like to be sent to that land. If you have mercy on me and see my weakness and mistakes, I sure need help. I am alone. I beg father, to be good. Forgive me for my weakness and my ignorance. We were in a rush at that time, me and my wife, when that horrible thing happened to my son, did or comit and call to see her, it makes me and her very confused and not thinking straight, nervous or very disturbed, so we didn’t get to think things straight at that time. How about me left behind, not being able to fix the right proceedings for filing and signing those documents of retirement and she nor I think to tell that man in charge at the temple – Jim Randalls [Randolph] and Phil. We just can’t get our minds together at that or those days. For this, I am left here with plenty of work ahead. So to be able to depart or go to San Francisco so that they can send me over there. Jim Randalls asked me what I have here. I said nothing-only I have to wait to fix those papers, but he told me after she already left (my wife.) So I went back Santa Barbara here and I am stuck. How did you write the word? For I don’t know how long yet. (Please father if you don’t understand me very well) Tell my wife; show her this letter or that she interprets some things. She knows my way of writing and what I mean more or less very good. She knows what I mean right away. Oh please, accept me father. I want to go and help you in that mission together with my beloved wife, grandchildren and my Gloria. Pastor Jim Jones, I want to see you. I am lost without you; it has been a long time since I’ve seen you. I know you will hear or give me a hand. I know you are so kind and when you use to tell you (me and my wife) blessed, blessed oh dear ones. I use to tell my wife you like us, beloved father so kind and merciful, that you have the power in your hands to deliver us from evil and that you help me. When I was at the point of being killed by the same person who committed the crime this time, under dope. It was when he came that night at about 3 a.m. to awake us, me and my Gloria, out of our sleep. After we have put a good day of work, only you save my life and I’m grateful to you. I submit if you accept me, make the way for me or tell them to help me and to send me down there where you, my Gloria and wife are. I will do all I can to be good. In my heart, I don’t believe anyone who speaks wrong about you and in the same token, I don’t believe in any religion, not one, not in prayer to the holy ghost but ask. I just can’t stand it anymore. I feel like my life – I am getting kind of tired and I can’t breathe good, I don’t know. I’m anxious to see you and be with my father. I miss him too much and I just don’t believe in the honkies. It makes me tired and very unpleasant to see these people showing up. Among the poor, father please save me from this place. Take me over there where you are so I can help and also be healthy and strong. You see, I was thinking always I was not able to do or accomplish to be with you (like Gloria, my Gloria) that she was afraid, also I am afraid and thinking I was not good enough to be with you and follow because you are such a passionate and merciful person and very powerful in your mighty hand. So please, now that my wife is over there and I was not able to go at that time, please open the doors for me, those that are closed, so that I can be able to proceed to make my way. One day very soon, I will be there at your presence, together with my wife and that way, I know I would be saved, that you will see me, too, and at any moment, if somebody is going to try anything bad at me, my wife or one of us, you will protect us with your mighty power and I’m sure you will do that and I will be very happy to serve and be with you, but correct my bad habits or anything I am doing wrong. You were the only one who took away the habit of smoking from me and saved my life many times. I love you and I feel safe around you and am willing to give all to live in community. Please advise the right people in San Francisco church, so they admit me on one of them. Please father, I only want to go there at your land where you are and my beloved ones. I know you won’t let me down. You see my mind was, and still is, very disturbed. But very deep in my mind, I only want to be with you, my savior, so please see what I say here this time. Yes, this time I am ready to be with my father. I need him always with his power. Defend me from evil. There is just too much evil and the occult all around me but father is looking and he will deliver me and my beloved wife. He will save me from all envies and evil forces of the devils and all the witches who do sorcery; you see the evil ones. The magicians have worked all kinds of bad things and evil against us – me and wife – but the only one and great magician who will and is defending me is Jim Jones. Against them, they don’t have any power, not even the bullets nor any whom will hurt him or us because he is taking care. Be with me, father. I believe only the way he teaches, to be the best, to make the kingdom of God on Earth. Father please defend me now that I am alone. See that I am taken care of. Not even the evil ones in the dark of the night can harm me and that the serpent or powerful one can’t kill me because father is with me and father is the only magician that all will ask on him.
(And give rever[ence] or respect him in the light of the morning day or the dark of the night) Oh, powerful father magicians of all the magicians that have the power to make me free. Deliver me from the circumstances of evil that I am now. Take me away with you. I love you, in the name most holy. When you say “spirits, spirits, spirits” and when you extend your hand there is done. Now father, I shall tell you what I remember now that I got materials to take to Guyana. I got a few tools, hammers, pliers, cutters, pipe threaders, a fan, a dolly, about 3 plaster of paris holds – to make figurines – one, a clown about 2 feet tall, it weighs about 44 pounds. Other book end Indian from Mexico, with about 3 pounds. A statue from some place, a figure from America found. They’re beautiful, with about 5 pounds. Other little ones with about 4 pounds. Also, I have an old, used small tape recorder of the reel kind, a small typewriter, some writing paper, 3 big cans of insect killer spray that can cost $2.50 each. A big canvas, one very light and the other one kid of heavy, a foot locker full of clothes, some herbs, books about $4 or so, some kitchen things, small amount, plenty of scissors for the sewing machines or cutting materials, some sponges, ropes, about 3 or 4 books of science of Spanish language that sometimes I read. A small box of toilet paper, some suitcases, about 5 or 6 new medicines, a few used sheets and bed spreads or quilts. A big trunk full of clothes, used ones, only mostly work pants like khakis, same kind of shirts, some under clothes, some heavy socks and pencils, some lockers, one small shester draw [chest of drawers] full of materials, clothes, shirts and pants for hot places like tropical, I believe and electric shavers – one new, some old ones, some razor blades, razors, one hair cutter new. I have a drum of heavy cardboard, good to go surface, it is strong – I have it full with shoes, and work shoes, used, khaki pants and work shirts, weighs about 1.35 pounds. I have some herbs but I am going to throw or give away (those for teas) I have some wrenches, some small and big, a few of them, army boots – used ones, a few dress pants and shirts, my other foot locker, a radio, short wave about 31 pounds, a few books. The dolly is a good one. It can be used to load stuff here, church or Guyana or to carry stuff. Two electric cloakes. I guess if I miss, its only a small fraction of more or less stuff, small things, clippers and small household things. Example – clippings, knife sharpener, glasses, mirrors, magnifying glasses, etc. **Now, I’d like somebody to write and tell me if the big box, weight about 134 pounds, containing a shester drawer – small one. If this one, they don’t use in Guyana or that agricultural mission, or if they do, we can use it if they send it *by surface* and if they or we don’t need that tape recorder over there? How about the plaster paris molds – they are packaged in a heavy carboard and if there is too many shoes, I can share with some other person, some of them I don’t use. I can give it away to who need it most, some of them and insect spray are things I have enough of. But the question is if I can take them over to the Temple area and if they will send them later by surface. Another thing, if I can’t take or send them over there, if they will help me pick them up and take them there.
If they can hook a trailer to our maverick car and come pick up my stuff or if they bring a pick up truck to take them for me, I am willing to help load and unload them. If someone writes me a letter and tells me you not – take this example – shester drawer to Guyana, sell or discard it and/or yes, we send it by surface, packed by heavy cardboard. If they don’t need molds over there, how about the tape recorder? Okay, well, I hope I can make it to get over there as soon as possible. I just don’t want to stay around here too long. Now I shall tell you what my mother told me; a real history past that when I was only a baby crawling on the floor in a ranch house, she heard something hitting very hard on the floor, while she left me on the floor, she was in the kitchen on the other side and she went to look and there was the big cat, saving me from a kind of big rattle snake that was coming toward me, but the cat saved my life, so the snake didn’t get to bite me. She called my father quickly, to come in; he was working outside. He came in with a cane fork and picked up the snake and kill it.
So I am still living. I hope I soon get to go to that beautiful land with my father. That is my thought and there is my beloved wife and girl Gloria is with all my grandchildren.
May the power and glory be forever yours. Make able, Father, so that I can be where you are , in that mission in Jonestown, where there in not any discrimination among the people, black and white and all like brother and sister.
In remembering you, I’d like to embrace you and the glory be forever yours.
I thank you, father, for all the goodness and all the blessings. I am grateful to you and I’d like to go work there and be happy forever more. Get me out of this struggle, father. I thank you, I thank you forever more.
Yours sincerely brother, Gregorio Rodriquez
P.S. That soon, I may hear from you or my wife.
Remember me, in this days, that the days of heavy rain, you keep me dry and you have saved my life and my work. Oh thank you, thank you father.
Please excuse my writing. I don’t have any education. Please father, have mercy on me and attend my petition.
—–
EE-3-ZZ
Letter to Jim Jones from Helen Swinney, September 1978
Helen Swinney
September 17, 1978
To: Jim Jones
My opinion is that we should buy the property that has the wearhouse on East Bank. We would have enough storage room for a few months supply of food or whatever – in the long run, it would pay for itself in more ways than one. If we buy it, I would suggest that Eva and Jim Pugh be put there permanently, to oversee and be responsible for the place. I think there is room for a small garden to furnish the place with fresh vegetables. Jim loves to garden, also, he could keep up with repairs on the place and keep the grounds looking nice… There may even be enough room for a few chickens or rabbits. Eva could organize and take care of the business end of it. I am also suggesting a black couple (that you trust being away from you) to help them, a couple who would be compatable with them… I am making this suggestion because of integration only… because I believe Eva & Jim are plenty capable of managing that place alone. They could go in Jonestown every 6 – 9 months for a week or two, or a few days, depending on how long they think they could be away from the place.
As for the place we already have, there should already be a responsible couple who cares for the Peoples property and is willing to be hated for organizing and seeing that rules are kept. Right now, I don’t know any couple who could fill the bill. Thus place should be kept for bussiness and P.R. purposes only, for intertaining guest who need to be impressed with Peoples Temple. The place on the river could catch all the people who are coming to Jonestown to live. They could be processed and leave by boat from there… they would not have a chance of getting around in Georgetown, causing trouble before they leave here.
The reason I am suggesting permanent overseers is that it seems that everybody’s property is nobody’s property; and it seems that very few people give a damn about the amount of money that has to be spent on keeping a place up. I came in a week or so after Marcy got here – they told me this place was in such a mess when she came that she cryed. This place was still a mess when I got here; all of the electrical appliances were broken or thrown away. The new plugs I had put on them were torn up, both oven doors to the stove were broken, the kitchen was filthy, the yards all grown up in grass and weeds, the yards all cluttered up with old drums, trash and old mattresses and a dalapidated dogs house. The place now is looking halfway decent. Terri, I think feels her responsibility and is trying very hard to keep things going… between the P.R. she has to do, and seeing this place is kept halfway decent, keeps her busy… I feel sorry for her sometimes. There is such a turnover in personnel that it will never be any better–
Helen Swinney
—–
EE-3-VVV-1 – VVV-2
Note to Jim Jones from Kathy Richardson
Jim,
I feel a little bit silly writing you a letter when there is a great possibility that you will never see it but just in case you do, this is to let you know that I am still here. I didn’t want you to forget I exist. It seems like a total impossibility to speak to you over the radio so I hope you hear of this letter. I miss you very much and I will continue working here as hard as possible so that sometime soon, I’ll be able to be there. In case you didn’t know, I am answering all of your mail and I must admit I haven’t done the best job that I would do. Jean Brown has always been behind me and keep me going, which I will always deeply appreciate. She means a great deal to me. Working on the outside has really taught me a lot. I’d like to thank you for that experience. It has been actually been working with people and seeing how greedy they are that has taught me so much. I think I could sit and listen to you for a lifetime talk about the evilness of capitalism but I would never have known if I hadn’t seen it for myself. I wish to thank you for that experience. Like I mentioned before, I hope this gets to you because I don’t want you to think that I’m not still around. I hope to be there someday soon. Kathy Richardson
—–
EE-3-YYY
Note from Jim Jones. Jr.
Dad, I steal quarters from Mom and Lew. I told Lew tonight, he said don’t get up. Just pay me back. But I said I’ve been taken a lot. Your son, Jimmy Jones
—–
EE-3-ZZZ
Note from Stephanie Jones
I was told that every unanointed picture of you was to be turned in.
Thank you, Jim. (Dad)
P.S. your old passport pitchure. And thank you for the house meeting, when you told me to clap.
Thank you!
Stephanie L. Jones
—–
EE-3-BBBB-1 – BBBB-4
Letter to Jim Jones from childhood friend in Lynn, Indiana
Dear Jimmy,
I don’t know if this letter will get to you personally or not. I sure hope so. I was just sick that I didn’t get to see you when you were here. I have thought about you so often and wondered just what you were doing and I would have been surprised and disappointed if it had been anything except what you are doing, because you have been in the Ministry since you were a little boy. I sure liked to see the people tear down that old garage to build Thornburgs Market.
We sure held a lot of church meetings in there. You used to preach and put your hands on our heads and really pray for the devil to get out of us, and those poor old cats of yours must have gotten so water logged from being baptized. Do you remember? You always seemed like a brother to us and you sometimes called Mother Mom. We miss her so much. She has been gone almost nine years now.
You have a very pretty wife and handsome son, or children I should say.
My oldest, which is the only boy I have is getting married Nov. 12. He will be 20 in Dec.. I have a daughter, 17 one 12 and one 4. They sure keep me busy. So many activities at school, etc. My oldest daughter is in majorettes and she is in the Southern Sounds, a group of 10, and she has been a choir lady for 6 years.
I am taking care of a little boy that has blind since birth. He is 15 months old. His name is Jimmy Landers. I would like to have gotten him to your meetings. But you can believe with us, anyway, for his healing, anyway, his parents are so young, she is 18 and he is 21, and he is their first child. His mother is a real believer. His father is not a believer yet. He says, but I think he will be some day. I told Billie, the baby’s Mother, that would we just have to pray for him. He said yes, and if Jimmy gets his sight, then he would never doubt again. He has never seen a healing of any kind, he says, and that would sure do it. He says he may be hindering Jimmy from seeing by not really believing for him, but like I told Billie, Roger believes more than he thinks he does, because when he talks to me the other day, I told him we would not give up on Jimmy or ever doubt, and he said Oh Vera, I have not given up on him. When he talks to the baby, instead of saying listen to this or that, he always says, look at that or see this, Jimmy, so he can’t say he doubts God, and talk like that. He says Jimmy is such a joy and blessing to them. We went to Indianapolis yesterday. They had to take him to [illegible name] hospital again, they take movies of him every 4 to six months, and talk to his parents on his progress, etc.
Our car isn’t very good. We have a 55 Cadillac, so we used my son’s car. My husband is night policeman here in Lynn, so he is sleeping now. He works 9:00 to 5:00. Richard works nights, to, so they are both sleeping. So is my little girl and Jimmy, so I thought this would be a nice, quite time to write to you. Usually if I start writing to Barbara in Florida, that’s when Rita get up and bugs me. Well, I guess I have bothered you enough. If you get this, that is, if you do. I sure hope you can find a minute to write to me.
I am going to send you picture of little Jimmy. If you ever get back this way, I want to know it. We live two houses from the railroad tracks in the old Frank Harvey place, on the corner, just about a block south from where you used to live. Well, bye for now, and God bless you always.
Love, Vera
He has his hair cut now, he looks like a little boy.
—–
EE-3-HHHH
Undated note of suggestion for Jim Jones
Dad,
I strongly feel that the community needs at least one and probably two evenings off a week, where they could go to the library, to a movie, spend time with their children, do “personal” things from laundry to socializing. I have picked up the feeling from several people I have talked to. There is a law of diminishing returns with these classes and we are definitely seeing that happen.
By the way, I have some ideas and plans for making the community education program more enjoyable, varied and effective. I will be submitting them soon. It will take us beyond just “news” and Russian to some more theoretical and applied study and discussion of Marxism, the diabolic and how we all can relate to it.
I suggest we let the community have tonight off.
—–
EE-3-IIII
Undated Self Analysis by Jean Lucas
Self Analysis
Jean Lucas
- Hostility? – the deepest.
- Commitment? – Super excellent plus.
- Elitrism? Come see come sar? So so.
- Intellectism? – average.
- Reaction to authority? – Not too good. Resent coercion but will do. Have own mind. So long.
- How do you feel about Dad? That he is the highest personified without equal, the fairest administrator of righteous justice and truth on earth.
- How do you see yourself? I feel that I have paid the price mentally, morally, socially, financially and otherwise.
- Sexual games – when 2 people like each other very much, then love is born, then sex will seal that love in “ecstasy.”
- How do you feel, react to dieing or death? My new version has given me courage that I never thought I could perceive, but now I would die a revolutionary death for what I believe, be it whatever degree, friendship, etc.
- Your inner feelings – Music – works – pets. I am not happy unless I follow my own volunteer volition. I leave everyone free to my own thoughts, whatever. Whatever he does if it makes him happy as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else, not my business. Guess I am a beloved anarchist?
- How do you see others? Realizing that there are no people exactly alike, I look for whatever each has to offer and I learn as I go through life. I do like people.
Jean Lucas
—–
EE-3-JJJJ-1 – JJJJ-2
Lovie Jean Lucas request to return to US
Dear Dad Jim,
What I have been trying to tell you for the past 12 mo since I have been here, I thought that I had not try to compose it lightly, as coming down the road with the truth is the only way with you. First of all, Dad, I, Lovie Jean Lucas, have not told you one lie and I ask you to put me to the test by giving me truth serum, and if I have told you one lie, I will take my own life. I never will tell you a lie, I will lie for the Cause, but I have no reason to lie. About what? I think I that must tell you just some of the points of this affair and you will know why I have been made to feel this way. I was very happy in S.F. with my dogs, my work, my old friend, and the Temple and my music. Naturally, if I leave that I expect to be happier land free, but something happened and now, I am the happiest & saddest person in this city here and I have been from the beganing because of what Estelle did to me. She is the one who processed me to come here. Leona Collier processed Margaret James and did a beautiful job. All of Margaret’s things came intact and she had said many times how nice and fair Leona was compared to Estelle. This is why I say that my leaving did not have to be this way and because it was done this way, it has scarred my mind, and tramatized me and so ruined my life. I can not live with what has happened to me, I can not take it, the more I think of it and there has not been an hour that I do not think of this as it has become a part of worry that lives within me.
Dad, here is point one. Estelle had seen I had lots of valuables, everything. She saw wherein she could get into this by getting me away. I know these tactics as I have worked on the streets for over thirty years, but I could not believe that anyone from the Temple would con and rip me off. I had signed over my home and I was getting ready myself. As long as others had time I know that I could have. I know that it is customary in some cases to even send people on from the service “meetings” but this was not for me because they got together and told me Dad, that you said for me to come on right away, that they had written me up to Mother and that Mother had radioed you and that you said that you knew that I would not leave my dogs and to bring 2 dogs on the plane with me and that you would send the other 5 dogs on shortly after I got here. Well, that has been over two years and I have not received my dogs and I wonder about the equality. This is why I went on with the “going back” because I could see that the dog situation would be a burden here. Mother said she did not recall anything like they told me so I realized then what really had happened. Dad, there is so much more. Please forgive me for writing this much. I really did not mean to but praise your holy name that you made it possible for me to get word to you, when all I have left is a mustard seed, but you always come through. Dad, I want to leave for S.F. as soon as you can let me. Dad, I do not want to hurt you or go on the floor anymore. I thank you any way you arrange for me. I’m concerned about my age and all, many things. I will take all tests. I may be leaving out the main things. Sign all papers counsel. Thank you Dad Jim!
LJL
—–
EE-3-KKKK-1 – KKKK-2
Lovie Jean Lucas second request to return to US
(That you had made a new rule)
This is Monday.
Dear Dad Jim,
My full intention is to go back to S.F. I think it was about a month ago you said for the counselors to get with the ones who wanted to go back and get their problems, but they did not follow thru, and I have been waiting and waiting and waiting, and about last Thursday or somewhere around there, I got a strong instinctive urge to get ready, pack and so I did. I’m all packed. I gave my tools last week to James Edwards and he will check them out to whoever wants to use them and they check them back, etc. for the collective. I have taken care of many things, all things as I do not want but one change so I have no luggage but one small handbag. I have the feeling that my state of mind pulls on you and you do not need that at this time. I did all of this because of this urge that I got. James Edwards can tell you I took the tools to him last week. He does not know any more than that. This was before we knew that Leona [Collier] was coming but when she arrived and said she was going back, it came to my mind to write you to allow me to go back with her.
Dad, nothing else is going to help me but a trip and when I came here, prepared to go back on a trip, it shifted into a “going back” thing. All of this has been a misdirected mess, and I would like to bury the whole thing and start all over again, so I am asking you to ease my mind, heart and soul and whatever arrangement can be made, let me know soon. Dad, I wish everyone did not have to know about this again. I have been with this cause for over 5 years and was never on the floor and never took anyone to the floor and the image that I got since I’m here is a sad one as I do not like to go on the floor and most of all, I do not want this to hurt you. Its true that I have had negative thoughts lately, thinking that I am niglected because of my age, weakness, etc, but you said wait and that is what I did and too I will never know why I have to wait till the battle is on, when I could have been there and back, because I asked when I first came here, over there when they say wait, that means justice delayed is justice denied. But I have not yet seen you do any wrong. The only thing about it is I never seem to make contack to get out of the unjust mess that I seem to have inherited while I’m on this subject. Dad, I have never told you one lie and I will request truth serium, sign any papers, do whatever you say because I am in a state of suspended anamation and this image that is here is not me. It is the same as I told you in my other letters but I do not know if you got or get my letters or not. Thank you for this way now. I wish I could tell you how the unfolding of Jonestown and about how I am relieved about the conspiracy. I wish I could thank you enough for you great love for all of us. That is why I came into the Temple, because of your Love. Dad, I have my plans all worked out. If I may, I’d like to send Patty a box of jewelry etc a month to sell in the shop. I have about a thousand $ worth of stuff to give before I go. Jewelry, tape. May I hear. Thank you, Dad.
L. Jean Lucas
—–
EE-3-LLLL-1 – LLLL-2
Penny Kerns note to Jim Jones regarding Bea Orsot
2-11-78 To Dad From Penny: It is my opinion that Bea Orsot has her own severe case of emotional instability to cope with. At times she goes clear off, which is the case today. She gets uptight, hostile, walks around like shes in her own world, is short to people upon speaking – and acts like she is on some special mission. I am concerned about the way she acts at times and feel that she could push Tom [Grubbs] over the edge or into something emotionally – for she sometimes seems to get a kick out of aggitating him and watching him. She gets this super spy thing going and she also says she is with him implying because you told her to be with him. Now I think Tom is capable of killing – and I know I wrote it up to you, that I was afraid he would try to kill you with a bow and arrow – but she told me that you told her that he might try to kill you like this. The thing that bothers me about the whole thing is who else will she tell this to? And, what if someone makes a public statement like this? It would be very hot to handle, I think. The reason that I’m writing this today, is because she was upset last night because Tom was in the book depository during the meeting – she went to him and asked him when he was going to join us in the service. And then today, she is so out of it emotionally – she goes into this trip as if she is in her own world kind of thing, which is hard to explain. But it is very emotional. She wanted me to keep track of when he came to the meeting. I have tried to encourage her to look for the good in him – to sort of balance the negativity – it seems to me that we should be do this with each other to bring out the good – but still watch for the other too – but after the public confrontation of Tom, she was still out to get him. She said she wasn’t finished with him. I had recommended that she let you handle it and to be kind to him – to follow your lead sort of thing.
I don’t trust Tom worth shit myself – but I don’t think aggitating him and openly spying on him, etc, is the thing to do. He is no ones dummy.
She had asked me to help her watch him on several occasions and in general, but I tried to do this in a low key manner. She gets really excited when she has a case building on him. I’m not saying she doesn’t have a good case and isn’t right – but she really gets excited about it and laughs and really gets a big kick out of the whole thing… and then at times her emotions will switch and she will get moody and make some comment about how she cares about him. I really think that she hates his guts. I base this on the degrading way that she made fun of his penus and of how he operates sexually. I guess the thing that saves the day is the oral sex situation. I felt embarrassed for Tom over the whole thing. (I did write this up) I don’t get along with Tom at times, but I don’t think I’m trying to do him in, sort of thing. I do think he’s dangerous – but I don’t think he should be aggitated. Bea makes it very plain that she is on a mission for you with him. That she was assigned to this a long time ago (evidently since she’s been here). The problem is when she feels like if she runs around and alerts security and I’m afraid that somehow this is going to backfire – Now if someone publicly says “Bea says Dad told her…” it could really be a hot subject – and open a can of worms in a lot of directions.
Also, I don’t think she sees her own instability. Though maybe she does… however, I have never noticed her touch upon it. She acts out her moods very intensely and they are very real to her but she doesn’t seem to be aware of the change in herself and she is preoccupied with whatever is going on in her head. I think that her own acting out with jibing remarks make her situation with Tom a dangerous one. If she aggitates him into losing reality and she becomes his mother or the women that he hates – and I’m sure that he does hate her now – and he pents his madness on her, it will be because she didn’t control him, which she isn’t trying to do. She should want to help control him, for himself and the welfare of this cause. I have explained to her how to do this – and he did get better when she did it. She needs to first control her own emotional fluctuations. Its hard to be around an emotionally ill person too much unless you understand what is going on – you can lose track of the sickness.