-Caveat Lector-
"In December 1972, Kinsolving confronted the Disciples of
Christ leadership, but they ignored pleas for an investigation of
Jim Jones. Instead, the Disciples of Christ leaders notified
Jones, warning him about Kinsolving's visit.
"This was evident in the letter from the Treasurer of (Jim
Jones') People's Temple to Charles Gould, publisher of the
[Hearst-controlled] San Francisco Examiner in January, 1973:
" 'Lester Kinsolving grossly abused his First Amendment
trust in writing negative articles on Reverend Jones, and it is a
further abuse of his professionalism that he last month went to
our national denominational leaders, demanding that each of them
take steps to sever ties with Jim Jones. On the other hand, we
are well aware of the professionalism shown by yourself, Mr.
Hearst, and editors such as Mr. Todd.' "
"In May, 1973, Dr. Karl Irvin, regional president of the
Disciples of Christ, spoke glowingly of Jones's effort in a form
letter to the media: 'Inspired by the remarkable Pastor Jones (a
Disciples-ordained minister), this congregation initiated a
precedent that subsequently influenced the entire convention. We
feel that such action will have a snowball-effect, arousing our
entire 1.4 million-member flock [to political action] ...'"
"By 1975, Rev. John V. Moore, local Superintendent of the
United Methodist Church, had two of three daughters who were
devout members of the People's Temple. 33 year-old Carolyn, a
mistress of Jim Jones, also served as his chief of staff. His
other daughter, Annie, was a 24 year-old Temple nurse. They had
asked their father to write a letter of endorsement, which he
obliged. His letter was duplicated on a Methodist letterhead and
sent out in Methodist envelopes from the People's Temple ... "
__________________________________________________________
MADMAN IN OUR MIDST:
JIM JONES AND THE CALIFORNIA COVER-UP
by Kathleen Kinsolving and Tom Kinsolving
<cont'd>
"I will probably be receiving further info as the days go
by. Should I give it to you, or one of our police reporters?
Should I do anything further on this case? I await your
instructions."
No instructions came from Dooley, or any of the other
editors at the Examiner.
Deputy Attorney General Tim Reardon felt it appropriate to
hand over the bulk of evidence to Deputy Attorney General Charles
Rumph in the charitable trust division. Kinsolving was never
informed of the outcome of the case by Rumph.
The FBI took no action -- until November 18, 1978.
October, 1972. Ukiah, Ca.
"Thank you [from] the concerned citizens of Ukiah and
Redwood Valley", Brenda Ganatos wrote to the Examiner. "Had not
your reporter, the Rev. Lester Kinsolving, brought to light the
strange events at the People's Temple, we wouldn't have had a
prayer as far as investigation in our town is concerned ... our
radio station KUKI and Ukiah Daily Journal have presented only
biased stories..."
Ganatos's friend, Pat Rhea, repeated Taylor's warning in her
own letter: "The fear in this town is unbelievable. The feeling
is everywhere ..."
Immediately after reading her letter to the editor,
Kinsolving contacted Ganatos, who was a long-time resident of
Ukiah, a neighboring town of Redwood Valley.
Ganatos had first heard of Jim Jones in the late 60's. She
was a neighbor to the Cobb family, who migrated to California
from Indiana. Her first impression of People's Temple was
positive. She donated clothes to the Cobbs after hearing them
discuss plans of helping to build the People's Temple church.
Then, around 1970, disturbing rumors started to persist.
Chatting with co-workers at the Telephone Company, Ganatos
learned that community residents were becoming frightened
of Temple members. Members themselves who wanted to leave were
receiving death threats. Temple defectors who took their case to
the Sheriff got nowhere, since any complaints or evidence of
wrong-doing would end up in the Temple's hands via Assistant
District Attorney Tim Stoen.
One of the most deplorable stories she heard was what
occurred when Jones took children on a camping trip for
"survival training."
One youngster, 4 year-old Tommy Kice, was forced to eat when
he wasn't hungry. When the little boy threw up, Jones forced him
to eat his own vomit. He repeated the torture over and over as
the child continued vomiting.
Ganatos began spending three to six hours on the phone
nightly, gathering as much information as she could. By 1971 she
had meetings in her home with a dozen people, known later as the
Concerned Citizens. They tried to alert public officials, but no
one would investigate.
In desperation Ganatos spoke to Walter Heady of the John
Birchers, but to no avail. Jones had manipulated liberals and
conservatives alike, thrown money around, and infiltrated every
branch of county government. The local media was hoodwinked as
well. In fact, Ukiah Daily Journal employees were ordered to
throw away any letters to the editor criticizing the People's
Temple.
During their first phone conversation, Ganatos told
Kinsolving that when the Examiner issues containing his stories
hit the stands in Ukiah, People's Temple soldiers bought up all
the newspapers. She had to ask a liquor store to save three
papers.
Kinsolving met with the Concerned Citizens several times,
managing to record sworn statements and have affidavits signed by
the group.
When Jim Jones heard Kinsolving was making return trips to
Ukiah, he sent his troops out on surveillance runs. "We would be
at someone's home," recalled Ganatos, "Some cars would go up and
down the street, and they'd stop and they'd look at our cars. As
soon as we walked out the door, they'd jump in their cars and
leave."
Kinsolving turned over to the Examiner the taped sworn
statements and signed affidavits the editors had requested. He
was unaware of the increasing risk to his and the lives of the
Concerned Citizens.
The remaining four stories never ran.
Later that month, Chronicle reporter Paul Avery wrote to
Temple supporter Charles Preston, thanking him for sending
information to assist on an investigation he was conducting: "Jim
Jones has been subjected to vicious attack by a couple of people
who should be ashamed to call themselves reporters.
"While my investigation of the allegations against JJ is not
yet complete, I can say that as of this moment I have yet to find
one shred of evidence backing up anything bad that has been said
against him. In fact, most everyone I've contacted has had
nothing but good words about Jim Jones and his work."
Kinsolving felt the Chronicle had a vendetta against him
because he had quit two years earlier to work for the Examiner,
where he scooped the Chronicle more than once.
Moreover, he believed Chronicle city editor Abe Mellinkoff
was on to Jones, but nevertheless refused to follow up on the
Kinsolving and Pickering leads.
The Chronicle instead allowed KRON-TV to concoct their own
version of the Examiner picket line story. It was the perfect
opportunity to lash out at Kinsolving and embellish Jones.
November, 1972. Washington, D.C.
Washington Post publisher Katherine Graham wrote to Temple
member Richard Tropp: "I am grateful for your kind words of
praise for the Post. Please extend my thanks to Pastor Jones for
his interest in such issues as the free press and free speech."
Two months after Graham's letter, Jones waged a public
relations campaign by awarding $4,400 "in defense of a free
press" to 12 papers, a newsmagazine, and a television station.
Each newspaper was given checks of various amounts, depending on
their circulation. Incredibly, the Star and the Examiner were
each sent gifts of $300 each.
Although the Star, Examiner and other newspapers had the
decency to return the checks, the Chronicle reinforced its
support once again by accepting their award of $500 and
forwarding it onto Sigma Delta Chi, a professional journalism
society.
January, 1973. San Francisco.
"The pastor is in good company and obviously has many fine
friends", wrote Herb Caen to fellow Temple supporter Andrew
Silver. "The picture I get is of an intelligent and warm human,
of which we have regrettably few these days."
A San Francisco institution, Herb Caen was beloved by
readers of his Chronicle daily column. He was also a good friend
of Jim Jones, according to the Temple's Mike Prokes, who added
that Caen couldn't "show it too openly." The columnist at one
time confided to Temple member Jean Brown, "I'm glad we're on the
same side, for we shall win."
March, 1973. Washington, D.C.
One of the nation's top investigative reporters, Jack
Anderson, also received a check from the Temple's coffers.
Although he sent the money back so they could "donate it to
someone in more need than we are", Anderson assured them that he
was "going to take the liberty, though, of writing about your
offer, your church and Rev. Jones ... It's a wonderful thing your
Church and Rev. Jones are doing."
May, 1973. Oakland, Ca.
Dr. Karl Irvin, regional president of the Disciples of
Christ, spoke glowingly of Jones's effort in a form letter to the
media: "Inspired by the remarkable Pastor Jones (a Disciples
-ordained minister), this congregation initiated a precedent that
subsequently influenced the entire convention. We feel that such
action will have a snowball-effect, arousing our entire 1.4
million-member denomination to the DEFENSE OF A FREE PRESS."
After attending one of Jones's marathon services in 1970,
Disciples of Christ member David Conn wrote a concerned inquiry
to acting regional president Nellie Kratz: "What responsibility
do we have, since we can either encourage or discourage people
regarding the People's [Temple] church? How much will the
brotherhood suffer if some bad scene develops at the Ukiah
community?"
In her response to Conn, Kratz wrote "I really don't feel
that I have any evidence on which to act or even on which to talk
to Jim", and mentioned that Irvin would soon replace her.
October, 1973.
"Friend Jim", Irvin wrote to Jones, "You are so often in my
thoughts. Your work, your people -- how fine a ministry you have
My prayer for you is for understanding, for strength, for power.
"Thanks for the recent $1,500 check designated for use in
Reconciliation. Your continued financial support of our
Brotherhood ministry is truly exemplary."
So exemplary, in fact, that from 1966 until the 1978
massacre, People's Temple had contributed $1.1 million to the
Disciples of Christ. How much of this money was bilked from those
who went to their deaths in Guyana is unclear.
All this dirty money from Jones must have provided incentive
for Irvin's letter published in the Indianapolis Star in 1971:
"My attention has been called to an article by Bryon C. Wells
... This is shoddy reporting and reflects a predetermined bias
... I have yet to find one reason to question the integrity of
the group or of their leader, Reverend James Jones."
In December 1972, three months after his series was killed,
Kinsolving attended a meeting of the National Council of Churches
in Dallas and confronted the Disciples of Christ leadership.
They ignored his pleas for an investigation, claiming every
church had local autonomy, and that "a probe was already being
done by the district attorney's office and other legal bodies." A
year later, though, they broke their own rule by sending general
counsel Wade Rubick to Redwood Valley after Kinsolving's "The
Undisciplined Disciples" story appeared. The extent of this
investigation included the attorney staying just one day. Rubick
didn't bother to attend a Temple service.
The Disciples of Christ leaders notified Jones about
Kinsolving's visit.
This was evident in Temple Treasurer James R. Pugh's letter
to Examiner publisher Charles Gould in January, 1973: "Lester
Kinsolving grossly abused his First Amendment trust in writing
his four negative articles on Reverend Jones, and it is a further
abuse of his professionalism that he last month went to the [NCC]
convention in Texas, and according to our national denominational
leaders who contacted us, demanded that each of them take steps
to sever the denominational ties with our church.
"On the other hand, we are well aware of the professionalism
shown by yourself, Mr. Hearst, and editors such as Mr. Todd."
April, 1975.
Two years later, Irvin sent Jones a shimmering letter of
endorsement despite Kinsolving's exposes, pleadings, and informal
inquiries made to the regional office after Pickering's articles
appeared: "I consider it a privilege", wrote Irvin, "to be
acquainted with, and to have the opportunity of working with
Reverend Jim Jones ... I've always been impressed by his
integrity, his courage, and the very selfless way in which he
commits himself and his congregation to serve people in need ...
Jim Jones is a very compassionate and dedicated human being. I
am grateful that our paths have crossed and that we share
together in the ministry of Jesus Christ."
May, 1975. Redwood Valley.
The Reverend John V. Moore, a District Superintendent of the
United Methodist Church, had two of three daughters who were
devout members of the People's Temple. 33 year-old Carolyn, a
mistress of Jim Jones, also served as his chief of staff. His
other daughter, Annie, was a 24 year-old Temple nurse. They had
asked their father to write a letter of endorsement, which he
obliged. Without his consent, though, his letter had been
duplicated on Methodist letterhead and sent out in Methodist
envelopes from the Temple in Redwood Valley.
Kinsolving had left the Examiner two years earlier to accept
a job in Washington, D.C. that would broaden his reporting into
national politics. As he was broadcasting for a Virginia news
radio station during July 1975, Kinsolving was handed one of
these endorsement letters which had been mailed to the station.
He immediately contacted four newspapers which carried his
syndicated column: the San Francisco Progress, San Jose Mercury,
Berkeley Gazette, and Sacramento Union. He inquired if they were
interested in running a special series on the People's Temple
highlighting this latest development. Kinsolving made
appointments and sent memos to the papers as each expressed
enthusiasm.
July, 1975. Berkeley, Ca.
After setting up an interview, Kinsolving went to Rev. John
Moore's home. According to Moore, the two sat in his backyard and
Kinsolving began "belittling" Tim Stoen by discussing his
connection with "a woman who had committed suicide" and Stoen's
claims of Jones raising 40 people from the dead.
According to Kinsolving, he then confronted Moore on the
mailing. "Do you have permission from the Bishop to use the
Methodist stationary? Because here's a letter of endorsement." At
that point, Moore said, "Take yourself and get off my property."
Kinsolving grabbed his files and stormed out. But he left
his briefcase, filled with important files, underneath Moore's
picnic table. He would later call this "about the worst mistake I
ever made."
California Historical Society records revealed that Moore
received an urgent phone call from Tim Stoen the day after he
told daughter Carolyn about Kinsolving's visit. Stoen claimed it
was important for Moore and his wife Barbara to come to People's
Temple in San Francisco immediately. "It is for your welfare",
Stoen admonished.
When Kinsolving arrived at the San Francisco Progress for
his first appointment, Tim Stoen and Michael Prokes were waiting
for him.
They threatened a lawsuit if any kind of series was
published. The Progress dropped the story, fearing high legal
costs. So did the other three newspapers.
Kinsolving was perplexed, until he arrived home in Virginia
to discover his briefcase, which had been picked-up at the
airport by his wife. It was turned in to United Airlines by John
Moore, the same day of his meeting with the Temple.
It soon became clear why Jones sent his top goons around
threatening lawsuits. Three items were missing from the
briefcase: Kinsolving's confidential memo to the newspapers,
a file containing a letter with enclosures from Eugene Chaikin,
and a letter from Ukiah resident Ruby Bogner.
Besides Methodist letterhead and envelopes being used
without Moore's permission, his signature also appeared on a
blank piece of letterhead, a Jones tactic to incriminate
potential defectors.
Moore's support of the Temple bloomed. He and wife Barbara
visited Jonestown six months before the massacre. He honored a
Temple request to send an article about his experience to the
District Attorney of L.A. County: "We came away from the People's
Temple Agricultural Project with a feeling for its energy and
enthusiasm, its creative, wholesome ways ... and an understanding
and high sense of adventure it holds for its residents."
Three months before the massacre, Moore assured British
journalist Gordon Lindsey that "Jim Jones is in touch with the
pain and suffering of people ... I think that anyone who can lead
1,200 people from their country to settle in a new country has
got it together."
In the winter of 1978, after the murder of Congressman Ryan,
the FBI began an investigation. On January 15, almost two months
after Moore's two daughters died at Jonestown, Special Agent John
Morris questioned Moore on several subjects, including the
controversy surrounding Kinsolving's briefcase.
Moore told the FBI: "I deny the allegation that People's
Temple and I arranged for the theft of the briefcase or of its
contents ... I delivered the case to the United Airlines Counter
... The agent asked me if the case had been opened. I said it had
not ... I did not open the case, and I am convinced that the case
was not open while it was in my possession."
August, 1975. Ukiah.
At 7:30 Sunday morning, two days after Moore met with the
Temple and dropped Kinsolving's briefcase off at the airport,
Ruby Bogner was awakened by a phone call. A woman on the other
line told her that they had her letter to Kinsolving. She also
went on to say that "if you have another negative thing to say,
or make a single comment against the People's Temple, it will be
your life, your property or your job."
The Ruby Bogner letter missing from Kinsolving's briefcase
was not a letter to the editor, but one sent to him personally.
It was written in 1972.
<cont'd in "Nov. 1978 -- Two White Nights">
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