{"id":133290,"date":"2026-01-09T15:55:49","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T23:55:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/?page_id=133290"},"modified":"2026-01-10T11:24:16","modified_gmt":"2026-01-10T19:24:16","slug":"miscellaneous-correspondence-from-jonestown-residents","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/?page_id=133290","title":{"rendered":"Letters from Jonestown Residents, Summer 1977"},"content":{"rendered":"

[Editor\u2019s note<\/strong>: The following <\/em>undated<\/em> letters are courtesy of the California Historical Society Peoples Temple collection, <\/em>MS 4123 box 7: member correspondence. They consist of random letters written during the summer of 1977 from Jonestown residents to friends and family still in the United States. The original spelling has been retained throughout.<\/em><\/p>\n

[These letters were transcribed by Heather Shannon. <\/em>The editors gratefully acknowledge her invaluable assistance.]<\/em><\/p>\n

Undated Edith Bogue Letter to Danny Marshall<\/strong><\/p>\n

Danny Marshall<\/p>\n

Dear Danny<\/p>\n

Hi Father loves you. Me to. I\u2019m writing from the Freedom Land three cheers for Father. It really is a land of freedom. I rejoice and give thanks to Father each day actually a dozen times a day I\u2019m so thrilled to be here. Its wonderful to see seniors and children free and happy. No worry about walking our streets at night in Jonestown no worry about people screaming names at you here. I mean this is Fathers land We got houses all over the place We got shower houses to. Everything you can think of is here provided by Father. We even got electricity in our rooms. showers toilets kitchen. We got people to cut hair, cook, bake and do they cook & bake for real. It is really good<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

food. I hope Nettie [Jones] gets here. She will get well if she does. Give Vicky [Marshall] and the girls my love \u2013 your mom to. tell them how very lovely it is here. beyond words Fathers love just flows over you all day long its so peaceful. Well Danny I\u2019ll close for now Remember Father loves and needs you very much.<\/p>\n

Love ya
\nEdith Bogue<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Letter to Dale Parks from Liane Harris<\/strong><\/p>\n

6-24-77<\/p>\n

[handwriting: doodle of a young man smiling and looking to the side]<\/p>\n

Dear Uncle Dale,<\/p>\n

Everyone down here says & sends their hello\u2019s \u2013 (Cliff, Michelle, Martin, Jay & Joyce)<\/p>\n

There is so many people I want to write and of course you\u2019re one of them. I\u2019ve never been anywhere where there is such love, freedom and satisfaction.<\/p>\n

Everyone who first comes down from the states always has a pale, fragile, bloated look. Clifford [Gieg] is one who had changed even since I had been gone. now he\u2019s slim and because of the healing effects of father, the sun and exercise, he has lost his bloatness and is extreemly healthy. We just built a new modern kitchen inside a week and<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Clifford was one of the main ones in doing the woodwork. Ellie\u2019s personality is that of a changed person. Her attitude has sweetened and her smile comes often. (and she makes great banana cake) Joyce has lost weight and is getting darker. She works not only as a nurse but also in the kitchen. her, Liz, Helen and the Griffiths have cooked, some meals you wouldn\u2019t believe. If mom will let you \u2013 maybe you can read some of the decriptions of the food we eat like papaya, turnover, marble fudge cake, crepe suzetts, balangi, milo, barbeque chicken, chilli, Lazanya, fried fish, Baked macaroni and cheeze. I know I just keep talking about the<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

food but wow \u2013 I\u2019ve never eaten as good as I do now. Martin [Amos] is really growing \u2013 physically, emotionally and darker. If you have time drop me a note I\u2019d really like to hear from you. Give my love to Christa [Amos]. Encourage her to write and tell me what and how she\u2019s doing.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a teacher here \u2013 Martins in my class. Right now we\u2019re haveing recess between language arts and math. The children are in the playground they made themselves with teather balls, trapeze and rung set, rolling barrell, balence beams (steady and unsteady) jungle gym. The children constantly use their imagination \u2013 just recently they built a truly hut. It was so cute and very<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

well built. They are creative and constantly have some production going whether its wood carving or coconut carving (when it drys it looks like an old man) or making cups out of bamboo or something. That\u2019s what happens when children are not repressed by T.V. They have a constant facination for nature and enjoy looking up all types of information and recearch in the dictionaries and encyclopedias. Such growth I\u2019ve seen from these children who have been rescued by Father from a concreat jungle.<\/p>\n

Father\u2019s Love,<\/p>\n

Liane [Harris]<\/p>\n

P.S. Write!<\/p>\n

To Dale Parks<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Undated letter from Jerry Wilson to wife Shirley<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Shirley<\/p>\n

How are you and the children doing I am doing fine and I am working hard to get you and the family over here. We are working from sun up to sun down. And please tell terry and Tonia to come back (because father said to us if some of your relitives don\u2019t make it you will just have to live with that). When I read your letter and PJ and mans letters it made me cry and cry and cry because I miss all of you very much and I wish I was there with all of you. Please tell all the kids I said that I love them and I said Hi? Shirley I miss you Pat, Wanda, Tonia, terry, Kenneth, Nadean, mama, Keica, trinadett, Gumall, man, Jondeshay, Shiron, Saleata, Gleniel, Deshon, I am sorry if I missed eneybody. Please keep writting me and please send some pictures and try to get James Baisy back. Shirley everytime I think of you and the family I cry because I miss you and the family so much. tell Thelma and Heny and Vita I miss them too. tell all my friends I said Hello and I miss them and tell them to write me. I miss you I miss you miss you!<\/p>\n

P.S. Shirley and Pat remember the time we whent to terry\u2019s house And we had a ball together that night and I will<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

never forget that night. Ho? Yea Father saved me. We were off loading the boat we had big 100 lb bags of flower and nails, 500lb of fish chicken feed on the dump truck and the truck was going fast and the dump truck ran off of the road a it turned over and I jumped off of the back of the truck and the truck was falling over on me and I call fathers name and I was abut to walk back on the road without a scrach I don\u2019t no how that big dump truck miss me because it was fall right on me but thank Father that the big dump truck did not cruch me. tell Mary and Janet to be cool and don\u2019t be no fool?<\/p>\n

Ha! Ha!<\/p>\n

[words are written all over page, including margin]<\/p>\n

Your son Love love love<\/p>\n

Love?<\/p>\n

Jerry Wilson<\/p>\n

Love<\/p>\n

Love\u2019s all<\/p>\n

I miss all of you<\/p>\n

I miss all of you<\/p>\n

I miss all of you<\/p>\n

I miss all of you<\/p>\n

I miss all of you<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve got a tan now I am two tone top is dark bottom is Light<\/p>\n

Love [smiley face]<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Letter from Barbara [Last Name Unknown] to Ronnie James<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ronnie, Hello<\/p>\n

How have you been? I\u2019ve been trying to decide wether I should write you for about a week now. You\u2019re one of the few people I even think about, and I miss you the most. I\u2019ll be so glad when you get here.<\/p>\n

Davis Solomon was the first person that I met officially while on our way from Georgetown to Jonestown. He seemed to know my whole history, and the first thing he asked me was how you are, how much he hears you\u2019re changing, and then he started telling me about the times you, he, and some others had in the valley how he used to go over to your house and cook lobsters, and the wrist band he made you with your initials on it. He said he would teach me karate until you got here, but you will probably be here before he gets the chance because he drives the boat back and forth from Jonestown to Georgetown, bringing our people here.<\/p>\n

Practically everybody here keep asking me wether you\u2019re going to be coming soon, and that I\u2019ve had some drastic effect on you that has caused you to change. We seem to be a legend here<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Tell Sabastian [Sebastian McMurry] hello and that I haven\u2019t lost my temper yet. Before I left, he told me that if I could stay out of trouble a month he would recommend me as an AG.<\/p>\n

Most of my time is spent working. I work with about 4 other people in the banana field. We cut down bananas and clear the bushes with cutlasses. When you first get here, you get to choose the kind of work you want to do mas most of the time. When you come you will probably be working on the construction crew. Everything will be so different when you get here, because there won\u2019t be any tension and I\u2019ll be glad when you get here. Well this is all I guess. Tell Bonnie Beck I\u2019ll be writing her soon. I know you don\u2019t like to write, but if you don\u2019t I\u2019m never going to write you again. Maybe you\u2019ll be lucky and get a chance to come before I start expecting a letter from you. Hope to see you soon<\/p>\n

Love
\nBarbara<\/p>\n

Ronnie James<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Undated letter from Jerry Wilson to unknown brother<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Man<\/p>\n

That is good you have learned karate keep practiccing and some day you will be the best I the world and Leann how to flip and tell Kenneth to say cool Ho! Ya<\/p>\n

I am building a house for me you Kenneth and Terry, and I\u2019ll never for get the fun me and you had together.<\/p>\n

One of your big brothers
\nJerry Wilson<\/p>\n

I miss you very much<\/p>\n

P.S. Write me back<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Undated letter to Clara Johnson from son, Thomas William Johnson III<\/strong><\/p>\n

Clara J<\/p>\n

Dear Mom and Elaese<\/p>\n

How are things comeing along. mother had nice meetings and talent get together some sang some danced. In agreculture we are storeing food, such as beans, potatos, flour and rice. More and more housing is being beuilt. I heard Janice, Jo Ann and Joyce are doing fine in school glad to hear that Im reading more now on Guyana and South America remember the book you bought me on south Amereca I read that one to news weeks and time I likes to redd also now Im reading a book on parts to brain and on cultures. on the glitar am studying jazz 9th cords and 7th cords I really thank father for this opportunity Ill be glad when everyone can get down here soon down here you can be createtive.<\/p>\n

Peace and love
\nfrom father
\nTommy<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Gloria Carter Letter to Rodriguez family, July 1977<\/strong><\/p>\n

[smiley face drawn with red pen]<\/p>\n

7-12-77<\/p>\n

Dear Terry, Lisa, Aurora, and Mom and Goyo,<\/p>\n

Well I don\u2019t know when you\u2019ll get this letter or if you\u2019re still in Santa Barbara, but I\u2019m doing well here. The weather is nice here \u2013 you can wear shorts and a light shirt day or night and never worry about being cold.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve seen very few white people here \u2013 The majority are mixed races.<\/p>\n

Where I live \u2013 in Georgetown \u2013 there are cows, ducks, and sheep that graze out on the road \u2013 you go into the market and you find many open stalls of all different kinds of things, lots of people, people on bikes,<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

To Aurora Rodriguez and kids<\/p>\n

in wagons with horses, cows and sheep around, cars and buses \u2013 The streets are very busy. Most people have bikes or walk and go by bus \u2013<\/p>\n

I thank Father for bringing me here \u2013 only a few more weeks and I\u2019ll be a new mom. I feel very well \u2013 I haven\u2019t gained alot \u2013 although the food is good and the fruit too. Bananas, papaya, mangos, oranges, and many other different things \u2013<\/p>\n

You kids better be good!<\/p>\n

By for now \u2013 one day Father, Mother and the Family will all be here \u2013 take care \u2013<\/p>\n

Father loves you,
\nGloria Carter<\/p>\n

[smiley face in red pen]<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Undated letter to family from Peter Wotherspoon<\/strong><\/p>\n

[Peoples Temple of the Disciples of Christ letterhead]<\/p>\n

Dear Mary, B., N., E., D., C.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m lying on my belly on the roof of the Marcie (Cudjoe). We are just entering the Kytuma River after travelling all night over the ocean from Georgetown entering the Mora Passage and the Purima River. The banks on either side are covered [ink switches from blue to red] with thick bush vegetation too thick to penetrate for with our eyes. Mike and I have been playing speed chess and enjoying a delicious hot chocolate malt drink called \u201cmilo.\u201d The \u201cMarcie\u201d has been loaded with 150 new mattresses so we\u2019ve had supreme comfort all the way. As we head up river, I notice it is much cooler than Georgetown, just the opposite of what we expected. Mike\u2019s been taking pictures, including one of Larry and William playing chess. The jungle is very still and I haven\u2019t spotted any wildlife yet. The roar of the Marcie\u2019s engines cover many of the jungle sounds. We had a very smooth crossing over the ocean with only a few getting green around the gills. They all feel better this morning and now that we are in the river the boat is not rocking at all. We\u2019ve passed many indians, (or \u201cNationals\u201d as they are known as here) in dugouts paddling down the river. One group of young men had a 25 ft motorboat and cicled us at high speed to show off for the \u201cYankee\u201d girls. The trees are full of lime green bromeliads (air plants. We spotted a little grey and black tree sloth like the one we saw in the movie on South American jungle animals. High in the trees are colonies of ants looking like giant grey wasp\u2019s nests. Huge vultures sail serenely like bird kites just over the hundred foot tree tops.<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

2<\/p>\n

Every now and then the thick curtain of trees and shrubs is broken to reveal the thatched huts and cleared land of a family of Nationals. The walls and roofs are thatched with palm leaves or more correctly \u201cTruly\u201d leaves. The riverbanks resemble the everglades of Florida with bright colored flowers and mangrove (sp?) roots on the tree bottoms. The river is a beautiful brown color I describe as \u201cMug\u2019s Old Fashioned Root Beer.\u201d Julie Cordell says it looks more like Coca-Cola. As [ink switches back from red to blue] we approach Port Kaituma the banks of the river have encroached within 20 ft. on each side. The variety of leaves trees and flowers is uncountable through for the most part animal life remains well hidden, warmed by the boat\u2019s engines. The songs of jungle birds pierces even the motor\u2019s noise. Instead of jungle floor, the water extends deep into the foliage green leaves. Vines some with other vines and leaves twined around them, extend from high in the trees down to the water. The river here is about 20 ft. deep. Larry spotted a little waterfall in one of the recesses. We rounded a bend and the bank cleared to reveal an Amer indian settlement. At each home are two or three dugouts with rock wildly in our wake. There are many children swimming and boating and the take special delight at the waves we create as we pass. It feels like we\u2019re in a huge float in a parade with the Nationals waving and smiling from their houses and docks and us waving and smiling back from the boat. William spotted a grey and black little monkey darting through the trees. I just spotted a belted kingfisher bird just as if he flew out of a picture book. A couple of them black birds, that look like cranes flew across our bow. Twice, huge butterflies with dazzling iridescent blue-green wings flew above our deck.<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

As we near Kaituma, the banks are only seven feet away in places and we can reach out to touch the branches. There is a deep peace here, a free peace, a harmonic peace that is barely ruffled by the chugging boat. Port Kaituma is now in sight. Long buildings of corrugated aluminum, mining loading structures and dwellings sit in the emerald circle of the rainforest. We approach the dock ready and eager to see our loved ones of Jonestown and begin our new lives in the heart of Socialism.<\/p>\n

[ink switches back from blue to red pen] Hope you are all well. Remember what you guys promised before I left. Don\u2019t let me down, OK? Hurry up and get down here. It\u2019s beautoful<\/u> here. I\u2019ll write you soon and tell you all about it.<\/p>\n

Hope you\u2019re on the way,<\/p>\n

Pete [Wotherspoon]<\/p>\n

Please share this letter especially any notes to different people.<\/p>\n

P.S. Tell Ken, Tom wants crossbows!<\/u><\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

[red pen]<\/p>\n

To Braun, Nicky, Erris, Chris and Danny,<\/p>\n

The following are items I suggest you bring down with you if you have room in your trunk:<\/p>\n

Boots (rubber not combat)<\/p>\n

Tennis shoes<\/p>\n

Bandanas<\/p>\n

Casettes<\/p>\n

Record player, records<\/p>\n

Blankets or sleeping bag (forget coats)<\/p>\n

Candles<\/p>\n

Masking tape, glue<\/p>\n

Thongs with stretch strap<\/p>\n

Toiletries<\/p>\n

Paper, pen, pencils, permanent markers<\/p>\n

T-shirts<\/p>\n

One dress shirt and dress pants for Georgetown<\/p>\n

Plenty of socks and underware.<\/p>\n

Batteries<\/p>\n

Chess set (the main indoor game here)<\/p>\n

Sharpening stone<\/p>\n

Scissors<\/p>\n

Toilet paper<\/p>\n

Plenty of talcum powder<\/p>\n

Belt<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Undated letter from Chris Cordell Letter to Joyce<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dear Joyce,<\/p>\n

Well what\u2019s up sister? Been being good to yourself and others too? Well I hope so that will be one thing more to help get you all here, besides the money raising projects, and the work. Which I just know you are helping out with. Father was here for a while and in our short meetings he told us of how bad it was getting all over the world especially the U.S. Boy, you people back there are in trouble if you don\u2019t all harmonize now and get together and work so that all of you can get over here sooner.<\/p>\n

Since I\u2019ve been here, I\u2019ve been staying out of trouble and working like everyone else here is doing. It\u2019s really beautiful to see people work the way we do here in this freedomland. There are no words to express my feelings about this place. I guess you will just have to see for yourself the splendor and beauty, and the freedom of this country. It\u2019s nothing like the U.S. at all. I know you will just love it here as much as I go and be joyful all the time too because the climate and everything here makes it impossible to be sick or have any kind of problems. Hope to see all of my rainbow family soon. Take good care of yourself and help in every way you can to help get our people over here. Bye for now. Write back o.k.?<\/p>\n

Father Loves You,
\nChris Cordell<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

Letter from Sharon Amos to Sylvia [likely Grubbs], August 1977<\/strong><\/p>\n

8-3-77<\/p>\n

Sylvia,<\/p>\n

It was great hearing from you. Steph and Kelly arrived safely (of course). They came into Jonestown Monday.<\/p>\n

Would you see if the medical charts have been sent? We need them. Also \u2013 could you see if Darlene Newman (Ronnie\u2019s mom) could get his medical reports from the Dr. He has kidney disease but I have no idea what type or what treatment he should be receiving.<\/p>\n

Also \u2013 there is a list of medical supplies we need which I mailed to Debbie Blakey. Would you make sure something is being done about them.<\/p>\n

The place must be getting fairly empty. Every day we hear of more and more people coming. The boat arrives with people and leaves right away to pick up more. The nursery is completed. It looks<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

very nice. The seniors made and hung curtains today.<\/p>\n

More people will be arriving here tomorrow evening. The names are never given to anyone. That way everyone [sentence not completed]<\/p>\n

The children are having a talent show right outside by the window of the nurse\u2019s office. Annie [Moore] and I are straining to see (hanging out the window.)<\/p>\n

Well, write again and send it with someone. Hope to see you soon. The people here never know whether or not to write. People are arriving so rapidly.<\/p>\n

Sharon [Amos]<\/p>\n

P.S. Could you check on my mail? It was to go to 998 Divisadero at Pat Hess\u2019s apartment number. Doxsee changed the address but some of my peds magazines may have gone there?<\/p>\n

—–<\/p>\n

This is list of medical supplies <\/u>needed \u2013<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Tine tests \u2013 Bay Area Surgical Supply Co.<\/li>\n
  2. isomil powder<\/li>\n
  3. triaminic<\/li>\n
  4. file folders<\/li>\n
  5. labels<\/li>\n
  6. sutures \u2013 3-0 silk, 4-0 ethalon<\/li>\n
  7. surgical blades \u2013 size 10, 12<\/li>\n
  8. hemoglobinometer<\/li>\n
  9. baby food grinder<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    Undated letter to Ronnie James from Shanda James Oliver <\/strong><\/p>\n

    P.O. Box 893
    \nGeorgetown, Guyana
    \nS.A.<\/p>\n

    RONNIE JAMES<\/p>\n

    Dear Ronnie,<\/p>\n

    Hi. I\u2019ve gotten your message about Silvia signing for Andrew to come. I miss that guy? Did Mama get my letter? How did she feel? What is she saying? Ronnie I want you to try and get these things for me. Make sure you get ready also. Bring jeans light jean for yourself as many as possible It\u2019s very warm here. I\u2019ve gotten darker already. Talk to pop\u2019s get money from him to buy me someth [page cuts off] Today I\u2019m going into the interior by boat. I hear the boats really nice. Oh yes bring short pants. They be a pleasure. Hey I know you\u2019ll like it. Tell everyone hi. But get ready Ronnie. You always say you want to be last. If they tell you to leave in 2 hrs. You had better be ready. I also have a note for you to give Bruce\u2019s mom. Here is a list of things to bring or send to me. Please send and mark all articles to Shanda Olive[r]<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    Send:<\/p>\n

    2 cackies [khakis] jeans \u2013 27 waist L any length<\/p>\n

    T-shirts \u2013 sleeveless and shortsleves<\/p>\n

    For shirts go to shirtworks, ask Robin or Kim where to find it<\/p>\n

    Very cheap tops $2 and $3<\/p>\n

    I need the cackie jeans mostly not ben\u2019s for me<\/p>\n

    Lan lay oil and baby oil for body<\/p>\n

    Scarfs \u2013 (ones like archie mama) see Robin for help<\/p>\n

    Underwear cotton<\/p>\n

    Get 1 pr of Sandals $2.88 at National Dollar Stores, Rainbow bottom<\/p>\n

    Ronnie try to send these things in a suitcase written for:<\/p>\n

    SHANDA OLIVER<\/p>\n

    Please write or call for me on the Radio. I\u2019ll be standing by and waiting for response.<\/p>\n

    Please follow through.<\/p>\n

    Love, together in a Soc. cause comrade<\/p>\n

    Shanda Oliver<\/p>\n

    your sister<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    Undated note to Beverly Oliver\u00a0from Shanda James Oliver<\/strong><\/p>\n

    To Bruce\u2019s mom,<\/p>\n

    Bruce and I are doing fine he misses you alot. He said send him some ducketts. How\u2019s Howard? Hope he\u2019s fine. I\u2019ll be talking to you on the radio. Bruce said send:<\/p>\n

    35×24 cackies [khakis] pants<\/p>\n

    large vaseline<\/p>\n

    large ultra sheen<\/p>\n

    lan lay oil (for body)<\/p>\n

    jogging tennis shoes 9.99 (at National Dollar Store)<\/p>\n

    Please send these things as soon as possible.<\/p>\n

    Please write back. Also tell Howard thanks for the watch supply we got it. Bruce needed it too. He still tinkers on watches here.<\/p>\n

    See you later<\/p>\n

    Shanda OIiver<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    tell mama summer dresses only $6.00 at Good Stuffy in City [?] j<\/p>\n

    See [illegible word] on that<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    Undated Note to Robert Rankin from Marie Rankin<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1.<\/p>\n

    Hi dearest:<\/p>\n

    You are really going to love it here \u2013 we will be so happy. Tell the children I received there messages and I hope that all of you come in the next move \u2013 I really, really miss every one of you. Tell Haz hello, and tell her \u2013 she will love it here too. The building crew needs you so you can be should of a place to work<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    2.<\/p>\n

    here. Bob this is real important for you to do \u2013 get my tape recorder from there and bring it with you when you come. and I need some hair grease Haz knows what kind maybe 3-5 jars and some arm and hammer baking soda \u2013 5 large boxes \u2013 and we need a good AM-FM radio \u2013 solid state there are some groovy stations here in English and Spanish, and we can hear Cuba with a good radio so<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    3.<\/p>\n

    tell Haz to help get these items and you bring them when you come. Its the rainy season here but it\u2019s nice \u2013 our country side is beautiful you should be here \u2013 I am becoming a good rain forecaster. the Indians taught me how to guage its coming. There\u2019s so many things to learn it will blow your mind \u2013 all the new things to learn and be creative with \u2013 Thank Father for loving us to give us this great opportunity to be. and we are free<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    4.<\/p>\n

    we give thanks daily of this freedom and hope Father has provided here. Be good and write me soon and send the pictures O.K. \u2013 Thanks!<\/p>\n

    I know you will like this small gift \u2013 this tablet from the Guyana school system. You need some hi high rain boots to work in here so had better bring them with you. My health is good and that rash is going away so tell Haz that.<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    5.<\/p>\n

    Bring a few ink pens and paper too and white socks. I need 3 black size 36 B bra\u2019s when you come I hope you understand to try and bring these things with you. Thank you I haven started the fish project yet but maybe by the time you all come I will have time. Tell Peter to pack my books and ship them I need most of them for my proposal. Tell Blanche hello and hurry home. and tell Nickie to bring the reel to reel if<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    possible. And tell Che Che to be sweet. Wabby says hello to Haz and you, Nickie and Che-Che. Rev. Edwards says hello and hurry up and get here to help with these houses were building. I know its going to be grand when you get here I really miss you. Tell A.J. hello for me and Toi and Fannie. We are pioneers here and its glorious and fun. I know you\u2019ll love it here. Well lunch is almost over<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    and I have it get back to work again be good and hurry home. I love you and all our children and Haz.<\/p>\n

    Thank Father for loving care \u2013<\/p>\n

    Marie Rankin<\/p>\n

    P.S. Superise I wrote and didn\u2019t call I know Haz is happy about that \u2013 but don\u2019t forget that AM-FM radio and an alarm clock that weather proof.<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    Undated Note to Sylvia Grubbs from Judith Ijames<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Grubbs<\/p>\n

    Sylvia:<\/p>\n

    Please try to pack and send the box full of glass syringes and needles that were in the closet in the hall outside my room. You might ask Norman if they\u2019ve been moved. He also has the key. We got your note. Sharon was sure glad to see Stephanie. We are never told who is coming so it is always a nice surprise. It\u2019s really beautiful here. I couldn’t believe how much Kevin had grown and how much weight a lot of people have lost. Becky Beckman is really amazing and Liz and Poncho. I\u2019ve only been<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    here a little over a week and already I\u2019ve lost 7 pounds. Diane Casanova\u2019s lost 10. It\u2019s not because you don\u2019t have enough to eat either. The food is good and there\u2019s plenty of it. It is just good nutritional food and not a bunch of preservatives. Anyway you\u2019ll see soon, when we see you. Take care. Thanks for all your help. I know Father appreciates it. See you soon.<\/p>\n

    Father\u2019s love from Judy<\/p>\n

    Also see if you can get a large supply of suture material like Ethilon or something for skin suture. several dozen.<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    Undated note from Shawanna Soloman to brother<\/strong><\/p>\n

    1<\/p>\n

    Here Little Brother:<\/p>\n

    How\u2019s things there in the beautiful land of promise? it sure was good to hear your voice, hope to be able to talk to you again real soon. We on this end sure do appreciate the great work you all are doing there thanks to father, one never know just how blessed they are until they live here then go where every one is treated like they are human beings. I almost feel as if I have been there (Joestown) in person and have heard so many good reports from different one\u2019s that have been there. I am so glad father found us in time, and so very glad that we are chosen to be a part of the new world. And you for being one of the ones that help really start the foundation, that cut tree\u2019s etc, set different kinds of food to help feed a starving world. that in it self made one feel good. but none of this could have been passable had it not been for Father Jim. I [illegible word] church, Lillie and Freddie they are during just fine, Chuck is. Married also now he has a little boy Maxzee. So you are next in line, Joe, Chuck, and Ben<\/p>\n

    —–<\/p>\n

    2<\/p>\n

    all are married, Ben dont have any children as of yet, you see how sweet Joe\u2019s body is (Jakdri) he\u2019s a nother Leslie Chuck\u2019s baby look like both Shirley and Chuck. But there is still time for you (smile). Oh yes, father also saved til too Sundays in a row one Sunday from a stroke the next from being hit by a car, being left, paralized and I can\u2019t even begin to tell the things he has saved us from Chuck\u2019s Shirley was saved from something But I don\u2019t know what you can bet it was her life saved. We are a truly blessed people to have such a leader as we have, no place else will you and anyone else fine no one that will go thru, such hell to save his people, to find a place of safety for us, its not easy I bet. And he keep on during great things for us, in spite of us. he is always there before a have a chance to call him, in truth, justice of love. What more can we ask for? So I am just thankful that we are here in the number. So keep up the good works we on this end salute you. Father love you<\/p>\n

    Shawanna Salomon<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    [Editor\u2019s note: The following undated letters are courtesy of the California Historical Society Peoples Temple collection, MS 4123 box 7: member correspondence. They consist of random letters written during the summer of 1977 from Jonestown residents to friends and family still in the United States. The original spelling has been retained throughout. [These letters were […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":18988,"menu_order":1,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-133290","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/133290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=133290"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/133290\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":133325,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/133290\/revisions\/133325"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18988"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=133290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}