Peoples Temple Collection; Box 18, Virtual item 19, Q636 Part 1, White Night (continued from 635 through 639)

Digital Record

Identifier: ms-0183_18.19 Part 1

Staff Only

Digital Object (mixed_materials)

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Creator

Peoples Temple (Organization)
Jones, Jim (Jones, James Warren) (Person)

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 March 6, 1979, Special Agent (name deleted) reviewed the tape numbered 1B47 #81. This tape was found to contain the following: This tape appears to be a recording of a "White Night" in Jonestown, Guyana, and concerns efforts by the People’s Temple to counter a petition by former People’s Temple members to obtain custody of two children, named JOHN and DANA. This tape consists of rambling discourse by JIM JONES and others. JONES berates an individual by the name of STANLEY who is being punished for disobedience for "taking this white woman in town when the leader had said no". JONES berates all of the People’s Temple members, advising he is sick of those who do so little for Socialism when they have such a good example to follow. JONES advised the congregation that this could be their death night and that they are facing death. He told them he had to look for treason everyday and that there had never been a man on earth so courageous, so strong, and so principled as he. JONES further stated that if anyone comes to try take any one of them, they will not let them. They will die, they will have to take anybody over the dead bodies of the rest of them.> No mention is made in this tape of United States Congressman LEO J. RYAN, any pending visit by RYAN, or any conspiracy to murder RYAN. Full summary of the recording available at Alternative Considerations of Jonestown website, along with the tape transcript.

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