The Jone’s Town Tragedy Revisited 47 Years Later

The Jone’s Town Tragedy Revisited 47 Years Later

Jim Jones People's Temple Trail Of Murder and Suicide

By Lynda Carson - December 3, 2025

During November 18, of 2025, it was the 47th anniversary date of the Jone’s Town tragedy. That’s right. There were around 400 people who died of suicide, and murder in the jungle of Guyana that day. The followers of Jim Jones died, resulting in around 400 people following Jim Jones into the otherworld of death.

The convicted felon President Donald J. Trump reminds me a lot of Jim Jones, and I can not help but wonder how long will it be before the convicted felon Trump, and his followers will drink the same kind of Kool Aid - Jim Jones and his followers drank during November of 1978 in the jungle of Guyana?

People’s Temple of the Disciples of Christ, a California Corporation a.k.a The People’s Temple

https://tinyurl.com/5du5urh8

https://vault.fbi.gov/jonestown/Jonestown%20Part%2088

https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ArticlesofIncorporation.pdf

https://jonestown.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/04-PTTaxFranchiseBdLetter.pdf

People’s Temple of the Disciples of Christ (500544)

Initial Filing Date
11/26/1965
Status
Suspended - FTB
Standing - SOS
Good
Standing - FTB
Not Good
Standing - Agent
Not Good
Standing - VCFCF
Good
Inactive Date
07/01/1981
Formed In
CALIFORNIA
Entity Type
Nonprofit Corporation - CA - Religious
Principal Address
N/A
Mailing Address
P O BOX 15384
SAN FRANCISCO,CA94115
Statement of Info Due Date
11/30/1981

Agent
Individual
NO AGENT
AGENT RESIGNED OR INVALID

The People’s Temple.

The devil in the old Northside (Jim Jones first church)

https://historicindianapolis.com/the-devil-in-the-old-northside-2/

The People’s Temple.

Reportedly, “With the move to San Francisco came increasing political involvement by the Temple and the high levels of approval they received from the local government. After the group's participation proved instrumental in the mayoral election victory of George Moscone in 1975, Moscone appointed Jones as the Chairman of the San Francisco Housing Authority. Increasing public support in California gave Jones access to several high-ranking political figures, including vice presidential candidate Walter Mondale and First Lady Rosalynn Carter. Guests at a large 1976 testimonial dinner for Jones included Governor Jerry Brown, Lieutenant Governor Mervyn Dymally and California Assemblyman Willie Brown, among others.”

According to Wikipedia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonestown , in part it says, “A total of 909 individuals died in Jones Town itself, all but two from apparent cyanide poisoning, a significant number of whom were injected against their will. Jones and some Peoples Temple members referred to the act as a "revolutionary suicide" on an audio tape of the event, and in prior recorded discussions. The poisonings in Jones Town followed the murder of five others, including U.S. Congressman Leo Ryan, by Temple members at Port Kaituma, an act that Jones ordered. Four other Temple members committed murder-suicide in Georgetown at Jones' command.”

The PEOPLE'S TEMPLE AGRICULTURAL MISSION.

As early as June of 1974, the People’s Temple had a commune and was operating in the jungle of Guyana, around 25 miles from the Venezuelan border. The People’s Temple Agricultural Mission was linked to the People’s Temple of Disciples of Christ, a California based religious group with a membership of around 10,000 people in California at the time. Apparently they were well financed and organized, and had a leasing agreement with the government of Guyana. They purchased a trawler from a U.S. shrimping company, and expected to supplement their agriculture work with some fishing. At the time in June of 1974, they were expecting 20 to 25 more settlers in the next two months at their commune. They were favorably known to the Embassy in Guyana, and well connected.

This was around four years before their leader decided that everyone had to die after Congressman Leo Ryan flew down to Guyana to find out what was happening at Jones Town after people were complaining that they were being held against their will in the jungle.

The following information may help to shed some light on what was happening on that fateful day around 900 people were murdered and committed suicide, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNTPm6snOrM .

According to a November 19, 1978 report called, “AMCITS (PEOPLE'S TEMPLE) IF RUMOR RE MASS SUICIDE CORRECT, POISON MOST LIKELY USED IS DECON. THIS INFO RECEIVED FROM PERSONS PREVIOUSLY AFFILIATED WITH PEOPLES TEMPLE GROUP.,“ it says;

SUBJECT: AMCITS (PEOPLE'S TEMPLE)

IF RUMOR RE MASS SUICIDE CORRECT, POISON MOST LIKELY USED
IS DECON. THIS INFO RECEIVED FROM PERSONS PREVIOUSLY
AFFILIATED WITH PEOPLES TEMPLE GROUP. ACCORDING TO
NATIONAL POISON CONTROL CENTER, WASHINGTON, D. C., DECON
NOT MANUFACTURED IN LIQUID FORM. HOWEVER, THERE ARE TWO
TYPES 1) ANTI-COAGULANT WHICH IS USUALLY NOT LETHAL
IN SINGLE DOSE, 2) ARSENICAL WHICH IS HIGHLY TOXIC AND
CAN BE LETHAL IN SINGLE DOSE IF VICTIM DOES NOT RECEIVE
IMMEDIATE TREATMENT. SYMPTOMS OF ARSENICAL ARE VOMITING
AND DIARRHEA.

MRS. LANE, WIFE OF MARK LANE RECEIVED ANONYMOUS PHONE
CALL STATING THAT PT GROUP ALSO HAS LARGE AMOUNT OF
POTASSIUM CYANIDE AND SLEEPING PILLS.”

Reportedly on that fateful day of November 18, when so many people died, in a recording that was found at the scene of the crime, in part Jim Jones said, “THEIR YOUNG.” "HE KEPT TELLING THEM, 'MOTHERS, YOU MUST KEEP YOUR CHILDREN UNDER CONTROL.'THEY MUST DIE WITH DIGNITY."
ANOTHER AMERICAN SAID: "HE KEPT TELLING THEM TO SHOOT THE POISON DOWN THE BACKS OF THEIR THROATS, TO GET IT WAY DOWN IN THERE. I GUESS HE MEANT WITH THE SYRINGES."

THE AMERICANS SAID THAT THE RECORDING APPEARED TO HAVE BEEN STARTED SHORTLY AFTER MR. JONES GAVE THE ORDER FOR THE "REVOLUNTIONARY SUICIDE," AND THE FIRST TO DIE,
MOTHERS AND CHILDREN, HAD BEGUN TO DRINK FROM THE VAT OF POISONED SOFT DRINK.

"HUNDREDS OF RECORDINGS WERE KEPT.” THE RECORDING OF THE DEATH CEREMONY WENT ON ONE OF HUNDREDS OF REEL-TO-REEL TAPES AND CASSETTES THAT GOVERNMENT FORCES AND FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION AGENTS HAVE RECOVERED FROM THE COMMUNE, ALONG WITH NUMEROUS
CARTONS OF DIRECTIVES, MEMORANDUMS, RECEIPTS, COMMENTARIES, CONTRACTS, DEEDS AND LETTERS.

THESE ARE BELIEVED TO DETAIL THE HISTORY OF A COMMUNITY OF MORE THAN 900 MEN, WOMEN AND CHILDREN WHO FOLLOWED THE CHARISMATIC MR. JONES FROM ZEALOUS CHRISTIANITY TO
FANATICAL SOCIALISM AND, FINALLY, TO DEATH.

Reportedly, “THE RECORDING OF THE NIGHT OF NOV. 18 IS BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN DISCOVERED BY GUYANESE FORCES IN A MACHINE ON THE STAGE OF THE COMMUNE'S PAVILION, NEAR THE HEAVY WOODEN CHAIR FROM WHICH MR. JONES PRESIDED. THE GUYANESE ARE BELIEVED TO HAVE TURNED OVER THE RECORDING, OR A COPY OF IT, TO UNITED STATES AUTHORITIES.
THE TAPE RECORDING APPEARS TO CONFIRM IN LARGE PART STATEMENTS MADE EARLIER BY SEVERAL JONES TOWN SURVIVORS.

THE PARAPHRASES OFFERED TODAY WERE IN SOME INSTANCES ALMOST VERBATIM REITERATIONS OF STATEMENTS MADE BY SOME OF THE SURVIVORS.

JUST HOW COMPLETE A PICTURE OF JONES TOWN CAN BE PIECED TOGETHER IS AN OPEN QUESTION BECAUSE THERE APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN WIDESPREAD LOOTING.

"GUYANESE TELLS OF DISCOVERIES.”

BY THE TIME A GROUP OF MORE THAN 40 FOREIGN JOURNALISTS REACHED JONES TOWN, A WEEK AFTER THE NIGHT OF NOV. 18, WHEN THE CULT MEMBERS DIED, THEY FOUND THE TIN-ROOFED HOUSES RINGED BY PAPERS, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE THAT HAD BEEN TOSSED FROM WINDOWS, AS THOUGH IN A HASTY PROCESS OF SORTING.

THERE STILL SEEMED TO BE PLENTY OF INTERESTING MATERIAL, THOUGH, AND THE JOURNALISTS HELPED THEMSELVES.

IN AN INTERVIEW AT POLICE HEADQUARTERS, COMMISSIONER LLOYD A. BARKER SAID THAT THE $2.5 MILLION IN UNITED STATES AND GUYANESE CURRENCY HAD BEEN FOUND IN A CHICKEN
PEN AND AT SEVERAL OTHER LOCATIONS WITHIN THE COMMUNE. HE SAID IT INCLUDED MORE THAN $500,000 THAT THREE MEMBERS OF THE CULT HAD TRIED TO TAKE WITH THEM IN A SUITCASE
WHEN THEY FLED AS THE OTHERS WERE DYING.

"F.B.I. TEAM VISITS THE SCENE.” COMMISSIONER BARKER SAID HE DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH MORE MONEY THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE MIGHT HAVE IN THE BANK ACCOUNTS THAT IT REPORTEDLY KEPT IN GEORGETOWN, THE GUYANESE CAPITAL. HE SAID THAT HIS OFFICERS HAD ALSO CONFISCATED 19 RIFLES AND SHOTGUNS AND 13 HANDGUNS. ANOTHER SOURCE SAID THAT THOUSANDS OF ROUNDS OF AMMUNITION HAD ALSO BEEN FOUND.

FOUR AGENTS OF THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION, IN JEANS AND SUNGLASSES, WENT TO JONES TOWN YESTERDAY. THEY STOPPED FIRST AT THE AIRFIELD AT PORT KAITUMA WHERE
REPRESENTATIVE LEO J. RYAN, DEMOCRAT OF CALIFORNIA, AND FOUR OTHER AMERICANS WERE SHOT TO DEATH. THE TWIN-ENGINE DE HAVILLAND OTTER THAT THE CONGRESSMAN'S PARTY HAD
ATTEMPTED TO BOARD REMAINED DISABLED THERE. THE AGENTS EXAMINED THE BULLET-RIDDLED FUSELAGE.

THEY THEN FORMED A LINE WITH THE AMERICAN HELICOPTER CREWMEN WHO HAD FLOWN THEM FROM GEORGETOWN AND SLOWLY PICKED THEIR WAY ACROSS THE AIRFIELD. THE SWEEP, IT WAS REPORTED, NETTED THEM TWO .22-CALIBER SHELLS, THE METAL JACKETS OF TWO HIGH-POWERED SLUGS, FRAGMENTS OF SHOTGUN SHELLS, A BROKEN PAIR OF EYEGLASSES AND SEVERAL
BITS OF HUMAN SKULL BONES.”

This sounds like it was a very grim situation that resulted in around 900 people dying a hideous death.

Additionally, in a different November 19 report, in part it said, “THE GUYANA POLICE HAVE REPORTED TO THE EMBASSY THAT A MEMBER OF THE PEOPLES TEMPLE RESIDING AT THEIR GEORGETOWN OFFICE RESIDENCE KILLED HER THREE CHILDREN AND THEN COMMITTED SUICIDE DURING THE EARLY
EVENING HOURS NOVEMBER 18.

THE WOMAN, SHARON AMOS, HAD THREE CHILDREN. THE ELDEST, LIANE
HARRIS, WAS ABOUT TWENTY YEARS OLD. THE OTHER TWO, ESTIMATED TO BE
AROUND 7 AND 5 YEARS OLD, WERE FROM A SECOND MARRIAGE AND THEIR
NAMES ARE AS YET UNKNOWN. SHERWIN HARRIS, LIANE'S FATHER, IS IN
GEORGETOWN, HAVING TRAVELED WITH THE GROUP OF CONCERNED RELATIVES
THAT ARRIVED WITH Congressman RYAN.

SHARON AMOS WAS ONE OF THE LEADERS OF THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE GROUP
AND WAS ACTIVE IN THE GEORGETOWN OPERATION. THE POLICE HAVE
INDICATED THAT THE BODIES OF ALL FOUR DECEASED WILL BE HELD FOR A
FEW DAYS PENDING INVESTIGATION.”

According to a different report on November 1, 1978, called, CONGRESSMAN RYAN'S VISIT TO GUYANA, it said, “ DESK OFFICER MET WITH RYAN STAFFER (MS. JACKIE SPEIER) AND TWO STAFF MEMBERS (JIM SCOLLEART AND TOM SMEETAN) OF
HOUSE INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS COMMITTEE (HIRC) ON OCTOBER
25 TO DISCUSS PROPOSED VISIT. SPEIERS INDICATED THAT
CONGRESSMEN RYAN (D-CALIF.) AND DERWINSKI (R-ILL)
ACCOMPANIED BY APPROXIMATELY SIX STAFF MEMBERS HAVE
TENTATIVELY SCHEDULED VISIT TO GUYANA NOVEMBER 14-18.

MCCOY RAISED AGAIN SEVERAL POTENTIAL PROBLEMS THAT
MUST BE CONSIDERED BEFORE ARRIVAL OF GROUP INCLUDING
LOGISTICS AND AGREEMENT OF PEOPLE'S TEMPLE TO VISIT.
WHILE SPEIERS INDICATED ON OCT. 25 THAT RYAN INTENDED
TO NOTIFY PEOPLE'S TEMPLE OF HIS VISIT SHE ALSO MENTIONED
ON OCT. 30 THAT RYAN WAS PLANNING TO REQUEST THAT ORGANIZATION
MAKE ABOUT 29 MEMBERS OF THE TEMPLE INCLUDING
JOHN STOEN, MARIA KATSARIS ETC AVAILABLE TO CODEL IN
GEORGETOWN FOR PERSONAL PRIVATE MEETINGS. MCCOY RESPONDED
THAT HE BELIEVED TEMPLE WOULD VIEW REQUEST WITH SUSPICION
AND AS IN THE PAST CODEL WOULD BE INFORMED BY TEMPLE
REPRESENTATIVES THAT THE INDIVIDUALS REQUESTED IN
TELEGRAM DECLINED TO TRAVEL TO GEORGETOWN. MCCOY
CONTINUED THAT SUCH A REQUEST WOULD CAST PALL ON VISIT
ESPECIALLY TO TOWNSITE. SPEIERS AGREED AND INDICATED
SHE WOULD DISCUSS THIS FURTHER WITH RYAN. SPEIERS ALSO
MENTIONED THAT RYAN WOULD BE SENDING PERSONAL TELEGRAM
TO AMBASSADOR CONCERNING VISIT.

FYI EMBASSY SHOULD BE AWARE THAT 18 PRIVATE CITIZENS
INCLUDING TIMOTHY AND GRACE STOEN, AND MS. KATSARIS HAVE
BEEN REQUESTING RYAN TO EITHER INCLUDE THEM IN PARTY
OR HAVE EMBASSY ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION AND GUARANTEE
ACCESS TO AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITY. MCCOY INFORMED SPEIERS
THAT HE BELIEVED TEMPLE WOULD NOT AGREE TO ANY VISIT THAT
INCLUDED MEMBERS OF THE CONCERNED RELATIVES INC. HE
ADDED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE APPROPRIATE FOR THE EMBASSY
TO ARRANGE TRANSPORTATION OR REQUEST ASSISTANCE FROM GOG
FOR PRIVATE CITIZENS. MCCOY CONTINUED THAT EMBASSY WOULD
BE PLEASED TO ASSIST PRIVATE GROUP WITH INFORMATION
AND ADVICE ABOUT AREA, AND AVAILABILITY OF COMMERCIAL
OR CHARTER TRANSPORTATION, BUT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES
WOULD THE EMBASSY TRY TO FORCE THE TEMPLE TO RECEIVE THEM.
SPEIERS STATED THAT RYAN WOULD NOT BE INCLUDING ANY
PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS IN HIS DELEGATION AND THAT SHE
UNDERSTOOD EMBASSY'S LIMITATIONS IN ASSISTING PRIVATE
VISITS.

DERWINSKI IS ACCOMPANYING RYAN TO GUYANA AND THEN
MAY VISIT SURINAME AS PART OF HIS DUTIES ON HIRC.
POST WILL BE RECEIVING OFFICIAL NOTIFICATION OF VISIT
THROUGH REGULAR CHANNELS.”

Additionally, according to another grim report on November 19, 1978, called, CODEL RYAN: SHOOTING INCIDENT AT PORT KAITUMA, it says,
“I HAVE JUST RETURNED FROM A MEETING WITH PRIMIN BURNHAM,
DEPUTY PRIMIN REID, FORMIN JACKSON, AND MINISTER OF
INFORMATION SHIRLEY FIELD-RIDLEY. VARIOUS OFFICERS OF
THE GUYANA DEFENSE FORCE WERE ALSO IN ATTENDANCE. CREWS
OF THE TWO CHARTER AIRCRAFT WHICH HAD BEEN SHOT AT DURING
THE INCIDENT AT PORT KAITUMA HAD JUST ARRIVED AND WERE
ALSO PRESENT. FOLLOWING RECONSTRUCTION OF INCIDENT IS
BASED ON THEIR TESTIMONY WHICH MUST BE USED CAREFULLY IN
VIEW OF THEIR UNDERSTANDABLY EMOTIONAL STATE.

BOTH CHARTER AIRCRAFT HAD ARRIVED AT PORT KAITUMA AND
HAD COMMENCED LOADING CONGRESSMAN RYAN'S PARTY. THE SMALLER
OF THE TWO, A FIVE-PASSENGER CESSNA, HAD ALREADY LOADED
APPARENTLY, WITH AT LEAST TWO OR THREE OF THE JONESTOWN
RESIDENTS WHO HAD ELECTED TO LEAVE THE COMMUNITY WITH
CONGRESSMAN RYAN, AMONG ITS FIVE PASSENGERS. ACCORDING TO THE
PILOT ONE OF THE INDIVIDUALS PRODUCED A PISTON AND BEGAN FIRING WITHIN
THE AIRCRAFT AT THE OTHER PASSENGERS. AT ALMOST THE
SAME TIME A TRACTOR PULLING A CART APPEARED ON THE
SCENE. THE CART WAS LOADED WITH SEVERAL PEOPLE AND
WHEN IT APPROACHED THE AIRCRAFT THE INDIVIDUALS IN
THE CART BEGAN FIRING AT THE CLUSTER OF PEOPLE WHO
HAD NOT YET BOARDED THE SECOND LARGER AIRCRAFT.
SEVERAL OF THE PEOPLE, ACCORDING TO THE PILOTS, WERE
IMMEDIATELY STRUCK BY BULLETS AND IT THEIR ESTIMATION
WERE KILLED DURING THE FIRST FUSILLADE. THIS GROUP
INCLUDED CONGRESSMAN RYAN AND MEMBERS OF THE NBC CAMERA
TEAM. THE FIRING ALSO DAMAGED THE ENGINES OF THE
SECOND AIRCRAFT AND RENDERED IT UNFLYABLE. PEOPLE STILL
ON THE GROUND WHO WERE NOT WOUNDED OR WERE WOUNDED AND
AMBULATORY RAN INTO THE BUSHES SURROUNDING THE AIRSTRIP
TO ESCAPE THE FIRE. THE THREE-MAN CREW IN THE DISABLED
AIRCRAFT SCRAMBLED ABOARD THE CESSNA WHICH WAS TAXIING
DOWN THE RUNWAY. THIS AIRCRAFT MANAGED TO TAKE OFF WITH
BOTH CREWS PLUS ONE WOUNDED PASSENGER WHO APPARENTLY
WAS ONE OF THE PERSONS WHO HAD ELECTED TO LEAVE
GEORGETOWN. (SHE IS NOW IN A HOSPITAL IN GEORGETOWN.)

NEITHER CREW HAD ANY GREAT FAMILIARITY WITH THE
INDIVIDUAL PASSENGERS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE
CONGRESSMAN, THE NBC CAMERA TEAM AND THE DCM AND
THUS COULD NOT READILY IDENTIFY CASUALTIES. THEY
DID REPORT, HOWEVER, THAT WHEN THEY LEFT PORT KAITUMA
THE DCM SEEMED TO BE AMBULATORY BUT PERHAPS SLIGHTLY
WOUNDED. THE CONGRESSMAN AND THE CAMERA TEAM APPEARED TO
BE DEAD.

AFTER THE MEETING WITH THE PRIMIN THE AIR
CREWS WERE TAKEN IN CHARGE BY THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE
FOR A MORE INTENSIVE DEFRIEFING. I HAVE SENT AN EMBASSY
POLITICAL OFFICER TO BE PRESENT AT THIS SESSION.

UNITS OF THE GUYANA DEFENSE FORCE AND THE POLICE
ARE BEING AIRLIFTED DURING NIGHT HOURS TO MATTHEWS RIDGE,
THE CLOSEST AIRSTRIP CAPABLE OF TAKING AIRCRAFT AFTER
DARK. GDF IS ALSO POSITIONING TOW HELICOPTERS AT
MATTHEWS RIDGE IN ORDER TO BE ABLE TO SHUTTLE TROOPS
INTO PORT KAITUMA AT FIRST LIGHT. THERE IS ALREADY A
SMALL GDF UNIT AT PORT KAITUMA NUMBERING PERHAPS NO
MORE THAN SIX. AS OF NOW THERE IS NO COMMUNICATION LINK
WITH PORT KAITUMA.

THE PRIMINISTER EXPRESSED HIS DEEP REGRET OVER THIS
TRAGIC INCIDENT AND WISHED THIS TO BE CONVEYED URGENTLY TO USG.
HE NOTED THAT HIS GOVERNMENT HAD BEEN
MOST FACILITATIVE REGARDING THE CODEL'S VISIT.

I TOLD THE PRIME MINISTER THAT OUR IMMEDIATE CONCERNS
WERE AS FOLLOWS: (1) THAT THE GOG MAKE EVERY EFFORT
TO GET INTO PORT KAITUMA TO FURNISH AID, ASSISTANCE AND
PROTECTION TO THE AMERICANS WHO WERE STILL THERE,
(2) THAT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE THE BODIES OF THE DEAD SHOULD
BE BROUGHT TO GEORGETOWN, AND (3) THAT THE
PERPETRATORS OF THIS OUTRAGE BE BROUGHT TO JUSTICE AS
SOON AS POSSIBLE.

I LEFT THE PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE AT THIS POINT
AND RETURNED TO THE EMBASSY.

WE HAVE ALSO LEARNED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN THREE
MURDERS AND ONE SUICIDE AT THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE OFFICE
IN GEORGETOWN.”

Reportedly, according to a report on November 23, 1978, called, “SITUATION REPORT NO. 14 CONFIDENTIAL CONFIDENTIAL PAGE 02,” it says,
“A 28-MAN US GRAVES REGISTRATION TEAM HAS BEEN AT JONESTOWN SINCE EARLY THIS MORNING PREPARING THE DEAD
FOR RETURN TO THE UNITED STATES. THE GOVERNMENT OF
GUYANA IS ASSISTING.

THREE HH 53'S (JOLLY GREEN GIANTS) ARRIVED AT GEORGETOWN
FROM THE UNITED STATES EARLIER THIS AFTERNOON. FRESH
US CREWS STANDING-BY AT THE GUYANESE CAPITAL PROMPTLY
BEGAN FLYING THE HELICOPTERS TO JONESTOWN TO LOAD AND
CARRY THE BODIES TO GEORGETOWN. EACH SORTIE IS CAPABLE
OF CARRYING 22 BODIES. HELICOPTER OPERATION WILL NOT BE
POSSIBLE AT NIGHT. HOWEVER, THE HH 53'S HAD BROUGHT THE
FIRST BODIES TO GEORGETOWN BEFORE NIGHTFALL.

THE FIRST OF THE C-141'S THAT WILL AIRLIFT THE DEAD
FROM GEORGETOWN TO DOVER AFB IN DELAWARE IS EXPECTED IN
GEORGETOWN AT ABOUT 2140 EST TODAY AND WILL ARRIVE BACK
AT DOVER WITH ABOUT 80 BODIES AT APPROXIMATELY 0700
TOMORROW (NOVEMBER 23). THE AIRLIFT IS NOW EXPECTED TO
TAKE FROM 36 TO 48 HOURS.

SURVIVORS OF THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE CAMP, NOW 72 IN
ALL, INCLUDING THOSE WHO HAPPENED TO BE IN GEORGETOWN
AT THE TIME OF THE CALAMITY, WILL BE RETURNED BY MILITARY
AIRCRAFT TO THE UNITED STATES AT A LATER DATE IF
THEY SO WISH.

AT LEAST 170 BODIES HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED THUS FAR.
IDENTIFICATION WORK WILL CONTINUE AT DOVER AFB. NEXT OF
KIN HAVE BEEN AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE NOTIFIED AS BODIES
ARE IDENTIFIED.

THE CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION IN GUYANA IS CONTINUING.
LAYTON HAS BEEN ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH MURDER IN CONNECTION
WITH THE ATTACK ON THE RYAN GROUP. ALSO BEING
DETAINED AS POSSIBLE SUSPECTS ARE TIMOTHY AND MICHAEL
CARTER AND MICHAEL PROKES. THESE THREE EITHER TURNED
THEMSELVES IN OR WERE FOUND BY THE GUYANESE AUTHORITIES
ON THEIR ARRIVAL AT PORT KAITUMA. WE HAVE NO DIRECT
INFORMATION CONCERNING PRESS REPORTS ABOUT MONEY OR OTHER
VALUABLES THEY MAY HAVE BEEN CARRYING AT THE TIME.

AMBASSADOR MANN OF GUYANA CALLED ON ACTING SECRETARY
CHRISTOPHER THIS AFTERNOON TO EXPRESS HIS CONDOLENCES TO
THE US GOVERNMENT AND PEOPLE ON THE DEATH OF CONGRESSMAN
RYAN AND OVER 400 AMERICAN CITIZENS. HE PROMISED HIS
GOVERNMENT'S COOPERATION IN LOCATING SURVIVORS AND APPREHENDING
ANY PERPETRATORS. MR. CHRISTOPHER ASKED THAT
THE GOVERNMENT OF GUYANA RECONSIDER ITS DECISION NOT TO
ALLOW ANY FBI TEAM TO ENTER GUYANA. THE AMBASSADOR WILL
CONVEY THIS REQUEST TO HIS GOVERNMENT. AMBASSADOR BURKE
WILL FOLLOW UP.

THE FBI WISHES TO SEND AN AGENT TO PORT OF SPAIN TO
INTERVIEW FOUR PEOPLE'S TEMPLE MEMBERS WHO HAVE APPEARED
THERE. WE HAVE ASKED THE GOTT FOR PERMISSION TO DO SO.

FUNDING QUESTIONS CONCERNING GUYANA'S REQUEST FOR
TWO TWIN OTTER AIRCRAFT AND SPARE PARTS FOR HUEY HELICOPTERS
REMAIN TO BE RESOLVED. WE HAVE ASKED NEARBY
POSTS ABOUT THE POSSIBILITY OF PROVIDING THE OTTERS. A
US FIRM COULD HAVE ONE IN GUYANA IN FROM 9 TO 14 DAYS ON
LEASE. WE ARE EXAMINING USE OF AID CONTINGENCY FUNDS TO
LEASE THESE PLANES SO THAT ISOLATED GUYANA COMMUNITIES DO
NOT BECOME UNVIABLE BECAUSE OF DAMAGE TO ONE OF GUYANA'S
TWO OTTERS DURING SATURDAY'S SHOOTING AND NEED FOR
ANOTHER IN JONESTOWN OPERATION. DOD HAS COMPLETED A
STOCK SEARCH FOR HUEY PARTS AND HAS FOUND THAT ONLY
TWO OR THREE OF THE MINOR PARTS ARE IN OUR MILITARY
INVENTORY. IN CONJUNCTION WITH BELL, WE ARE SEEKING
BETTER IDENTIFICATION OF THE DESIRED PARTS TO VERIFY
SOURCES OF PROCUREMENT. HOWEVER, WE HAVE FOUND NO
SOURCE OF FUNDING TO PURCHASE THESE PARTS TO MAKE
DOWNED GUYANESE HELICOPTERS OPERATIONAL.

EA HAS ASKED FOR CLEARANCE TO SEND AN AGENT TO
GUYANA TO INVESTIGATE REPORTED DRUG USE AMONG MEMBERS OF
THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE. WE HAVE ASKED DEA TO IDENTIFY MORE
PRECISELY THE REQUIREMENT FOR SUCH A VISIT GIVEN GOG
SENSITIVITY TO INVESTIGATIVE VISITS.”

And in a November 24, 1978 report called “SITUATION REPORT NO. 17 THREE C-141 AIRCRAFT CARRYING A TOTAL OF 202 BODIES HAVE ARRIVED AT DOVER AFB; A FOURTH FLIGHT CARRYING SIXTY-EIGHT CONFIDENTIAL,” it says, “BODIES IS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE 0200 HOURS EST NOVEMBER 24.
ANOTHER 140 BODIES REMAIN IN THE JONESTOWN AREA, MOST OF
THEM PREPARED FOR SHIPMENT. BARRING UNFORESEEN CIRCUMSTANCES
ALL THE 410 (INCLUDING THE FIVE BODIES FROM GEORGETOWN) WILL
HAVE BEEN EVACUATED TO THE US BY NOVEMBER 24.

THE EMBASSY HAS GIVEN HIGHEST PRAISE TO THE US MILITARY
PERSONNEL INVOLVED IN THE AIRLIFT AND PROCESSING OPERATIONS
WHO HAVE BEEN WORKING LONG HOURS UNDER ALMOST UNIMAGINABLE
CONDITIONS GIVEN THE ELAPSED TIME SINCE THE DEATHS.

THE EMBASSY HAS CONFIRMED 78 "SURVIVORS"; ONE US HELICOPTER
COMMITTED TO SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS THROUGHOUT THE
DAY DID NOT FIND ANY NEW SURVIVORS IN THE JONESTOWN AREA.
THE MIXED US-GUYANESE CREW REPORTED THAT THE HEAVY CANOPY
MADE VISUAL SEARCH DIFFICULT. THEY HAVE CONCENTRATED ON
RIVER BANKS, TRAILS AND JUNGLE PATHS. THE HELICOPTER CREW
TALKED WITH INDIANS AND VISITED THE SITE OF A FORMER
PEOPLE'S TEMPLE (PT) STORE IN A COASTAL TOWN; BUT THEY OBTAINED
NO ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT SURVIVORS. THE
GUYANESE POLICE SEARCH EFFORT HAS CONTINUED ON THE GROUND
WITH US FORCES PROVIDING SUPPLIES, EQUIPMENT AND AIRLIFT.
TOMORROW MORE HELICOPTERS WILL BE DEVOTED TO THE SEARCH.
THE TASK FORCE HAS AUTHORIZED (BY TELEPHONE) EMBASSY TO
PROCEED WITH OFFER OF MONETARY REWARD TO GUYANESE IN AREA
FOR INFORMATION LEADING TO DISCOVERY OF ADDITIONAL SURVIVORS
OR BODIES. DOD HAS BEEN ASKED TO EXPEDITE DELIVERY
OF ADDITIONAL EQUIPMENT REQUESTED BY GOG FOR SEARCH OPERATIONS
INCLUDING SUCH ITEMS AS SMALL RIVER BOATS AND OUTBOARD MOTORS,
LIFE JACKETS, AND SNAKE BITE KITS. US PERSONNEL AND MATERIEL ARE
LIKELY TO BE REQUIRED IN GUYANA FOR AN INDETERMINATE PERIOD OF TIME
TO PARTICIPATE IN SEARCH AND RESCUE OPERATIONS.

EMBASSY GEORGETOWN IS REVIEWING 804 US PASSPORTS OF PEOPLE'S
TEMPLE MEMBERS WHICH WERE RECOVERED YESTERDAY. ABOUT 65
ADDITIONAL US PASSPORTS WERE RECOVERED TODAY. AN EMBASSY
OFFICER ALSO LOCATED TEN FILE CABINETS INCLUDING MEDICAL
AND FINANCIAL DOCUMENTS, RECORDS OF COMMUNICATIONS WITH
SAN FRANCISCO, TAPES AND MEMBERSHIP PAPERS OF THE PEOPLE'S
TEMPLE ORGANIZATION.

ONE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE MEMBER IN PORT OF SPAIN, TRINIDAD WITH
THE PT SUPPLY VESSEL SAID HIS WIFE, WHO HAD BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR
LOGGING PT MEMBERS' PASSPORTS, HAD MADE A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS
BY AGE AND SEX. SHE HAD TOLD HIM THREE
MONTHS AGO THAT THERE WERE 954 RESIDENTS OF JONESTOWN,
INCLUDING ABOUT 300 UNDER THE AGE OF 16. ANOTHER CLUE
TO THE COMMUNITY'S SIZE IS A SOLIDARITY PETITION DATED
NOVEMBER 7 (PRIOR TO REP. RYAN'S VISIT) WHICH WAS SIGNED
BY MORE THAN SIX HUNDRED PT MEMBERS. EFFORTS TO RESOLVE
THE VARIOUS ESTIMATES OF THE SIZE OF THE JONESTOWN POPULATION ARE CONTINUING.

EMBASSY BELIEVES THAT THREE MORE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE MEMBERS
MAY BE ARRESTED BY GOG AUTHORITIES SOON. THE ONE ALREADY
ARRESTED HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH FIVE COUNTS OF HOMICIDE.
THE USUAL INITIAL CONSULAR VISIT HAS BEEN MADE.

THE LEGAL ATTACHE FROM CARACAS WILL TRAVEL WITH A CONSULAR OFFICER TO
JONESTOWN TOMORROW TO OBTAIN SERIAL NUMBERS OF THE WEAPONS.
GOG HAS STILL NOT RESPONDED TO OUR
REQUEST FOR SIX MORE FBI AGENTS TO ENTER THE COUNTRY, NOR
HAS THE GOG YET GIVEN PERMISSION FOR SURVIVORS TO LEAVE.
EMBASSY ESTIMATES THAT THE FIRST GROUP OF SURVIVORS WILL
PROBABLY NOT BE REPATRIATED BEFORE SATURDAY. SURVIVORS
AT THIS POINT ARE NOT COMPLAINING ABOUT THE DELAY.

ARRANGEMENTS HAVE BEEN MADE FOR SURVIVORS TO BE ACCOMPANIED
ON THE FLIGHT BY FIVE SKY MARSHALS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
WHO WILL BE PART OF THE AIRCRAFT CREW.

CHARLESTON WILL BE THE PORT OF ENTRY (NOT RELEASABLE TO
THE PUBLIC).

THE AID DOCTOR TODAY VISITED THE THREE HOSPITALIZED CASES
AND REPORTED THAT, WHILE TWO OF THEM MIGHT RECEIVE BETTER
TREATMENT IF TRANSFERRED, THIS IS NOT IMPERATIVE. THE
THIRD PATIENT CANNOT BE MOVED FOR SEVERAL DAYS AT LEAST.
FBI DIRECTOR WEBSTER HAS ISSUED A STATEMENT THAT BASED ON
FINGERPRINT INFORMATION, A POSITIVE IDENTIFICATION HAD
BEEN MADE OF THE BODY OF PEOPLE'S TEMPLE FOUNDER JIM JONES.”

According to a November 21, 1978 report called SURVIVORS OF PEOPLE'S TEMPLE GROUP, it says, “1. DISCUSSION WITH POLICE REVEALS THAT THEY PREFER TO KEEP
ALL PERSONS CONNECTED WITH THE PEOPLE'S TEMPLE ORGANIZATION
AVAILABLE IN THE COUNTRY FOR "TWO OR THREE DAYS". THE INDIVIDUALS
LISTED IN REF MSG ARE STAYING AT EVE LEARY, THE POLICE
HEADQUARTERS, IN WHAT MAY BE TERMED PROTECTIVE CUSTODY. THEY
ARE FREE TO GO TO A HOTEL IF THEY WISH. THE POLICE, HOWEVER,
CANNOT GUARANTEE THEIR SECURITY AT A HOTEL BECAUSE RESOURCES
ARE ALREADY STRETCHED THIN, AND IT IS UNLIKELY THAT THEY WILL
CONSIDER MOVING WITHOUT ASSURANCE OF SECRUTTY. THEY ARE STILL
FEARFUL OF RETALIATORY MEASURES FROM UNKNOWN MEMBERS OF THE
PEOPLE'S TEMPLE, EITHER HERE OR FROM THE UNITED STATES. THEY
STILL SEEM CONTENT TO REMAIN WHERE THEY ARE AND ARE NOT RPT NOT
PRESSING FOR REPATRIATION.

2. A GROUP OF PEOPLE'S TEMPLE INDIVIDUALS ARE STAYING IN
THE GEORGETOWN HQS BUILDING, LAMAHA GARDENS, AND ARE NOT RPT NOT
FREE TO MOVE ELSEWHERE IF THEY WISH. THEY DID DO SOME
SHOPPING FOR ESSENTIALS THIS MORNING BUT WERE ESCORTED AT ALL TIMES.
THE NAMES OF THOSE AT LAMAHA GARDENS ARE LISTED BELOW. THE
EVE LEARY GROUP HAS EXPRESSED A STRONG DESIRE TO BE KEPT
ISOLATED FROM THE LAMAHA GARDENS GROUP.

3. THERE ARE THREE PEOPL IN THE PUBLIC HOSPITAL, ONE IS
MONICA BAGLEY, WHO WAS INJURED AT PORT KAITUMA INCIDENT

WHEN CONGRESSMAN RYAN WAS KILLED. SHE WAS OPERATED ON A SECOND
TIME YESTERDAY (MONDAY) BECAUSE OF HEMOTHORAX (BLOOD SEEPING
INTO THE PLEURAL CAVITY) ON THE LEFT SIDE. HER LUNG
COLLAPSED, BUT THE CAVITY IS BEING PUMPED FREE OF BLOOD.
THE DOCTOR SAYS HER CONDITION IS STABLE, AND DAILY X-RAYS
WILL BE TAKEN TO ENSURE THE LUNG IS CLEARING. IN THE DOCTOR'S
ESTIMATION, SHE SHOULD NOT BE EVACUATED UNTIL THE WEEKEND, BUT
SAID THAT ESTIMATE COULD BE REVISED IN 48 HOURS. SHE HAS
SPECIFICALLY REQUESTED THAT SHE NOT RPT NOT BE MOVED,
APPARENTLY BECAUSE OF THE THE SAME FEAR CURRENTLY MOTIVATING
GROUP AT EVE LEARY. DEPARTMENT MAY, HOWEVER, WISH TO
CONSIDER THE ADVISABILITY OF A MED-EVAC FOR HER SINCE
CONDITIONS AT PUBLIC HOSPITAL ARE NOT RPT NOT THE BEST.

4. MISS BAGLEY SAYS THAT HER MOTHER, ELIZABETH MCQUEEN,
HAS BEEN INFORMED OF HER WHEREABOUTS AND CONDITION, BUT
DID NOT SAY HOW THE INFORMATION WAS PASSED. HER MOTHER'S
ADDRESS IS 1414 WILSHIRE BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CALIF
TEL NO 213/474-8053. SHE GAVE VERBAL PERMISSION ONLY
FOR RELEASE OF INFORMATION TO MS MCQUEEN, AND ONLY TO
MS MCQUEEN.

5. TENNA AND TOM BOGUE, THE CHILDREN OF EDITY BOGUE, WHO
IS AT EVE LEARY, HAVE MINOR WOUNDS AND APPEAR WELL. THEY
WERE INJURED IN PORT KITUMA ATTACK, AND WERE DISCOVERED
YESTERDAY. THEY HAD REMAINED HIDDEN WHILE OTHER INJURED WERE
EVACUATED.

6. THERE ARE POLICE OFFICERS STATIONED AT THE ENTRANCE TO THE
HOSPITAL AND INFRONT OF ROOMS OCCUPIED BY THE BOGUES AND
MS BAGLEY. AS OF THIS TIME, ACCESS TO THEM WILL BE PERMITTED
ONLY IF THE CONSULAR OFFICER IS ACCOMPANIED BY A MEMBER OF
POLICE HEADQUARTERS.

7. LARRY LAYTON, THE PERSON NAMED AS THE INDIVIDUAL WHO
STARTED THE SHOOTING AT PORT KAITUMA, WAS BROUGHT TO GEORGETOWN
TODAY FROM PORT KAITUMA AND WAS IN THE CUSTODY OF POLICE,
IN HANDCUFFS. TO BEST OF OUR KNOWLEDGE HE HAS NOT RPT NOT
BEEN CHARGED, BUT IS OBVIOUSLY BEING TREATED AS A SUSPECT.
TWO OTHER PEOPLE, IDENTIFIED ONLY AS TWO BROTHERS NAMED
CARTER, ARE ALSO REPORTEDLY BEING HELD CLOSELY BY POLICE.

8. THE POLICE HAVE BEEN ASKED TO NOTIFY LAYTON AND THE
CARTERS AND PEOPLE DETAINED AT LAMAHA GARDENS THT
THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO SPEAK TO A CONSULAR OFFICER AND HAVE
PROMISED TO NOTIFY US IF THEY REQUEST OUR PRESENCE.

9. FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE SURVIVING MEMBERS OF THE

PEOPLE'S TEMPLE WILL BE FORWARDED AS AVAILIBAL.

1. STEPHNIE JONES
2. CALVIN DOUGLAS, JR.
3. ROBIN TACHETTER
4. PAULA ADAMS
5. DEBORAH TOUCHETTE
6. VESSIE LEE PARKINS CONNESERO
7. JOAN PURSLAY
8. CHARLES EDWARD BEIKMAN CALLED CHUCK BEIKMAN
9. VEDRA YATES
10. BEATRICE ORSAT
11. MICHAEL TOUCHETTE
12. LINDA MITCHELL
13. JAMES JONES
14. ANDREA WALKER
15. DIANNE E. SCHEID AKA CASANOVA
16. GUY NORMAN SPENCE
17. M. LEE INGRAM
18. MARYANN CASANOVA
19. JOAN R. COBB
20. LAURA JOHNSTON
21. THOMAS BEIKMAN
22. TIMOTHY JONES
23. WALTER WILLIAMS
24. CAROL YOUNG
25. AARON HEADRICKS
26. BURRELL WILSON
27. CLEVELAND NEWELL
28. GEORGE KIRKEDOLL
29. MICHAEL SIMON
30. PAUL MCCANN
31. EUGENE SMITH
32. MARK CORDELL
33. BOBBY STROUD
34. LAFLEUR TOWNES
35. KARL BENNETT
36. PRESTON WADE
37. AURORA RODRIGUEZ
38. DAUN MITCHELLE
49. RUBY JOHNSON
40. GUY MITCHELL
41. LAVARY LAFFERWHITE
42. MADELANE BROOKS
43. STEPHAN JONES
44. RAYMOND GODSHALF

In memory of the tragic Jone’s Town murders and suicides 0f 1978, as a result of the actions of Jim Jones.

Lynda Carson may be reached at newzland2 [at] gmail.com

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