Transcript | Annotation | Source:89-4286-C-3-A-1 (25-30) | Month Index
I went over to Vernetta’s cottage to get my typewriter she said she had not retrieved it on account of the rain.
Had breakfast.
Stopped at the warehouse. Received a pink towel, a white wash cloth and two bras, plus a new comb. I had had two but can’t find one.
Started work in summaries of the news. I simplified as much as possible interspersed material on international events and heavy political topics with more emotional material in race relations, suffering of children, and so on, mostly in the United States I was not able to do very much.
Went to lunch.
Lois and I met the adult class as a whole. I took the lower ability group and she the more advanced. She occupied the space in the school pavilion we had used formerly and I moved my group to the second school pavilion as the tape playing Jim’s newscast was running at the other end of the school pavilion. We had to move again at 1.00 o’clock when the junior high class came in.
I explained to both groups what we were doing on the map, showing them the sheet given us by Ruby Carroll (she let us have a blue one), the paper sacks I had collected from the kitchen area and the small map of Africa made for me by Joyce Lund.
Curtis Winters had volunteered to trace the map, which he did using the glass on the aquarium. He did a good job. I then helped the class members with the statements which had been requested on their former life and their life in Jonestown. I think this for the book in which it is hoped the writer of the Parallax View will cooperate with our staff. In the case of younger people, many were on drugs, dealing in drugs, shoplifting, purse-snatching. Some had been in jail. In the case of the seniors, the misery of their lives in the ghetto is the predominant interest: fear of being mugged or stolen from, neglect by relatives, poor housing and so on.
I either corrected the papers written by them or I wrote down what they told me. I stayed an extra hour to finish there. The day was hot and I was very tired.
I took a shower.
Continued work on the news summary.
Had dinner.
Eddie Washington saved me a seat in the pavilion for the rally.
Rally
News rerun.
Jim entered. He has been coughing badly. The doctor has determined he has lung cancer; with the strains upon him he can expect to live 3 or 4 years.
He appealed to the members to cooperate as much as possible not to make excessive demands so that he can serve the commune and prepare the leadership. An operation offers small hope of success and the government would be put in a difficult position if he left the city as they are under orders to arrest him. He was unemotional though he admitted he was in constant pain.
Mother says we’re going to have a doctor come in to check you and if he says operate, we’re going to operate. Jim says only time he remembered healing himself was when he jumped off the stage and his leg was healed. Don’t remember how I did it, perhaps can recollect.
Jim says he suffers when one of us hurts the other. Have to take some pressure from him. Recalls making his mind up to send Tommy Johnson to Jonestown. Eyes are to be tested while meeting goes on.
Corliss Boutte, to go through audience and select people.
Jim received evaluation list proposed by Tom Grubbs testing knowledge of M-L and socialist characteristics Jim went over some of it rapidly. Jim wants other kinds of evaluation to be considered than academic knowledge. He speaks of seniors who have skills the young are not learning, this to take off some of the pressure on those who have difficulties learning different concepts.
Ruth Lenin, pregnant by Keith Wright who now doesn’t want to marry her. She wants to have abortion thinking she won’t be a good mother. Marcy and Jim say Keith had reputation of “lover boy” with both males and females His supervisor said he worked hard over past two weeks as he knew he’s in trouble. Jim says he’s absolutely homosexual. Diana Smith could have been one of his conquests but she wrote about it.
Jim read prognosis of his condition prepared by Dr. Larry he thinks this will give leadership time to develop selflessness, not to need recognition, and least of all to need appreciation.
Keith has good work record, decision Jim made: Ruth will have baby, they will be married and rear baby with love.
Teddy McMurry on floor because of escapade in ____ ___. He has spent 4 days on PSU. However, report from Georgetown that he worked well and willingly. Jim heard praise about Maria McCann, stayed 7 weeks while missing child. Teddy victim of erroneous report. Jim asked him not to hold grudge. Teddy thanked him for the work on his teeth in Georgetown. Jim says he can’t stand injustice, offers him to make up with time off. Jim says Maria can take child with her sometimes for duties in Georgetown.
Jim recounts story of planned trip to Cuba on our boat when some weighted themselves down with extra clothes. Two fell in water and survived. Jim: “We’ve done something that no other people have been able to do.”
Jim puts off tests until Friday or Saturday to include everything from last test till then. He pleads for greater dedication.
Jim wants more statements from people on experiences in states, wrongs they have done, even crimes committed or even loneliness. Too many have been superficial.
Ralph Jackson in some trouble in Georgetown, charges of reckless driving. Jim says we don’t want to go to court ever. On p.a. system use gentle language, not authoritative. Quit commenting on unpleasant weather, on food, call “Dad” “Jim,” show much gratitude. We’ll have practice answering questions.
Jim puts Brother Carl Hall on floor as if interviewed by reporter and Jim and the audience and suggested questions. Answers to be given were designed to counteract advice info given by conspirators.
Whether to order beans or wheat discussed. More wheat is to be ordered, 550 barrels. Smaller amounts of kidney and fewer pinto beans. There is reliable info that the whole world is going to have terrible food shortage. Jim had a government minister called to get Ralph Jackson out of charges. He hit a tree with a car. He said he didn’t want to get a person out of trouble who was guilty.
Piggery, chickens, and small animals want John Harris on a regular schedule. Questions came up on injection given by John on advice of Larry and Joyce Parks to a monkey of Nancy Sines. Amount of penicillin given was disputed. John’s priority schedule is between piggery and pathology and herbal kitchen. John says salmonella still affecting chickens. Becky Flowers has degree in lab tech work and should be used. Jim warns against gastro-enteritis which can wipe out all babies in a town.
Ralph Jackson, on floor, worked well on bananas.
Discussed Rita Cordell’s birth control method. She had been taken off the pill on medical advice. She is on diaphragm and foam on account of experience and sickness. Jim advises shift to diaphragm. Frequency of intercourse gone into. Jim advised for reasons of sex consciousness and consideration of women’s desires. Jackson boy’s case dismissed as he had a praise canceling warning and hasn’t been up much before.
Very good reports on working crews who unloaded shell.
Louise Shavers got two breakfasts though she’s on a diet. Jim saved her from paralysis.
Our cottage was on the floor because of Inez’s report on dirty dishes, wet clothes, and extra shoes on porch. As Inez and I had made complaint, the others were given a warning but she and I weren’t. Another cottage was cited also.
Steering Committee members, many, did not attend meeting the night of required movie although Jim had announced it. Steering Committee did meet; some were confused, others weren’t sure under new administration set-up if they still were members. They were told to go to Steering Committee.
Barbara Simon working nights on Public Service Unit. She says she doesn’t get along with supervisors. She is late to work. She wants to change jobs. Jim tells her to work two weeks well and her request for job change will be considered. Jim remembers Barbara had said her relationship with Diana Wilkinson was simply friendship but Diana said it was sex. She admitted it was sex.
Residents of one of the apartments were on the floor regarding their chores. There were arguments between the supervisor and some of accused. Jim reminded all of what he had said about his health early in the meeting. It was about 2.00 o’clock. We were dismissed about 3.00.
The rat in our cottage which we have never gotten rid of was seen and heard. He was running all around from bed to bed. The residents chased and hunted him to no avail. I wanted to go to sleep. When Inez and Estelle gave up, a toddler cried and kept me awake.