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Peoples Temple Collection; Box 8, Virtual item 2, Q144-B - Jones radio address on Bible; Prokes on Kinsolving

 Digital Record
Identifier: ms-0183_08.02b

Creator

Summary Note

In connection with the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation into the assassination of U.S. Congressman LEO J. RYAN at Port Kaituma, Guyana, South America, on November 18, 1978, a tape recording was obtained. This tape recording was located in Jonestown, Guyana, South America, and was turned over to U.S. Officials in Guyana and subsequently transported to the United States. On May 24, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B68-1 (5 inch). This tape was found to contain the following: A radio broadcast reporting on the people who have had all their maladies cured by JIM JONES and also a sermon of the many errors in the Bible. Toward the end of the tape, there is music. This tape consists of three segments: a radio broadcast by Jim Jones; a statement by Mike Prokes responding to allegations by Lester Kinsolving; and a short snatch of non-contextual conversation. The first segment begins with Jim Jones in mid-sentence, as many of the tapes in the Peoples Temple collection do, but in context it seems to be near the beginning of a radio broadcast, and it concludes at the end of the program. The second segment then begins near the beginning of Prokes’ formal statement. In addition, the Jones broadcast and the Prokes statements make similar points – using almost identical language – about the coordination of the Temple’s use of faith healings with “medical science.” For these reasons, it seems likely both substantive segments of the tape were made about the same time. Full summary of the recording available at Alternative Considerations of Jonestownwebsite, along with the tape transcript.

Rights Statement Note

The copyright interests in these materials have not been transferred to San Diego State University. Copyright resides with the creators of materials contained in the collection or their heirs. The nature of historical archival and manuscript collections is such that copyright status may be difficult or even impossible to determine.  Requests for permission to publish must be submitted to the Head of Special Collections, San Diego State University, Library and Information Access. When granted, permission is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical item and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder(s), which must also be obtained in order to publish. Materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials.

Physical Description Note

Original audio cassette recording digitized and made available as .mp3 audio file.

Publisher Note

Publisher: The Jonestown Institute

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections & University Archives Repository

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