[Editor’s note: One of the interview subjects of this serial whose name is deleted is former Temple member Tom Podgorski, who, along with seven others, left the Temple in 1973; the other seven are named. The deleted information from the memorandum – designated by brackets – which is known to the editor has been indicated by red type. Other deleted information known to the editors is also indicated by red type.]
0 051855Z DEC 78
FM INDIANAPOLIS (89-181) P
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) IMMEDIATE
SAN FRANCISCO (89-215 [250]) IMMEDIATE
NEWARK IMMEDIATE
BT
UNCLAS
RYMUR
On Nov. 30, 1978, [name and address deleted] [Tom Podgorski], Indianapolis, Ind., was interviewed and advised he was a member of the People’s Temple for three years in San Francisco, Calif., and defected in [line of text deleted] advised he and others became aware of false healings of the Rev. J. Jones and rumors that Jones had members killed who tryed [tried] to defect prior to their defection.
The following are former People’s Temple members who defected with [Podgorski]:
PAGE TWO IP 89-181 UNCLAS
Micky [Mickey] Touchette, [address deleted], phone [number deleted].
Jim and Terri Cobb, [address deleted], phone [number deleted].
Wayne and Lena Pietila, [address deleted], phone [number deleted].
John and Vera Beddulph [Biddulph] (address unknown).
On Nov. 30, 1978, [name and address deleted], Indianapolis, Ind., was interviewed and advised she became a member of the People’s Temple in Indianapolis, Ind., in 1950’s, although she and her husband [name deleted] did not go with Jones and the church to Calif. when they left in 1967. [name deleted] advised that she took care of some property for Jones in Indianapolis while he was in Calif.
[name deleted] advised that her daughter, [name deleted] [Denise Davenport], went to Calif. to join Jones in the late 1960’s. [name deleted] advised her daughter defected [information deleted] and returned to Indianapolis. Davenport advised her daughter is now married and goes by [name deleted] and resides [address deleted], Marlton, N.J., phone [number deleted].
San Francisco, at Petaluma, Calif, Calif., contact and
PAGE THREE IP 89-181 UNCLAS
interview [name deleted] and [name deleted], phone [deleted].
At San Francisco, Calif., if not already contacted, interview Micky Touchette, Jim and [name and address deleted] [Terri Cobb] phone [deleted].
Newark, at Marlton, N.J., interview [name deleted], phone [deleted] re her membership in the People’s Temple.
BT