[Editor’s note: The subject of the interview of this serial whose name is deleted is Peoples Temple antagonist Lester Kinsolving. The deleted information from the memorandum – designated by brackets – which is known to the editor has been indicated by red type.]
0 051920Z DEC 78
FM ALEXANDRIA (89-102) (P)
TO DIRECTOR (89-4286) PRIORITY
SAN FRANCISCO (89-250) PRIORITY
BT
UNCLAS
RYMUR, 00: SAN FRANCISCO.
Reference Bureau teletype to Alexandria, November 30, 1978.
[Name and address deleted] [Lester Kinsolving], Vienna, Virginia, a reporter specializing in religious and political articles presently employed [line of type deleted] in Washington, D.C., was interviewed on December 1, 1978, and related that as a religion reporter for [information deleted] [The San Francisco Examiner], he published several articles regarding background of the People’s Temple (PT) and Redwood Valley in Northern California. [Kinsolving] attended several church services at the PT of which Jim Jones was the leader. [Kinsolving] characterized Jones as
PAGE TWO AX 89-102 UNCLAS
an extremely magnetic self-centered individual and described the cult as Marxist in nature and very anti-American.
[Kinsolving] stated that [deleted name], former PT member, Northern California, presently residing Ukiah, California, told him that she and her husband were personally aware of weapons in the possession of the cult during 1972. [Deleted name], presently employed by an unknown telephone company in Ukiah, California, was also well acquainted with the People’s Temple during the early 1970’s, however, she was not a member of the cult.
[Kinsolving] was not aware of the conditions in Jonestown, Guyana, and could provide no pertinent information regarding activities there. [Kinsolving] believes that the major media ignored the activities of the People’s Temple in Northern California during the early 1970’s although they were aware of the conditions and activities of the cult.
On December 4, 1978, [name and identifying information deleted] and advised that an associate of his in New York, New York, informed him that the New York Times published an article on December 4, 1978, regarding Jonestown in Section B and
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[Kinsolving]’s name was listed along with two other reporters as being on the “hit list” of the PT. [Kinsolving] was advised that the credibility of the hit list was unknown at this time, however, he [information deleted] and may contact headquarters in an attempt to obtain up-to-date information.
No leads being set forth within San Francisco division as Alexandria not aware as to the scope of ongoing investigation in that area.
Armed and dangerous.
BT