Episode 9: Jim Jones, Part 1
Jim Jones, Part 1
Jonestown
IMAGE ATTRIBUTION: Jonestown Institute
On November 19, 1978, news traveled across the United States about the ambush, the day before, of U. S. Representative for California, Leo Ryan, and those traveling with him at a Guyana airport. The news was startling. Ryan had come to Guyana to investigate a compound created by Reverend Jim Jones called Jonestown. Then, he left to return home, this time with some Jonestown residents who wanted to return with him to California. But Ryan never returned home. He died on the airstrip where he was attacked. Then, the next day, the news shocked the world when it was learned that the people of Jonestown were part of a mass suicide with over 300 dead. As the week progressed, the body count grew. Over 900 dead. Jim Jones was behind it all.
In part one, listen as we describe who Jim Jones was and the events that led to that day on November 18, 1978 that where everyone drank the Kool-Aid and then begin our exploration into his family tree. On this episode, we even reveal a connection to the Black Dahlia.
Marceline Mae Jones, nee Baldwin (1927-1978)
Jim and Marceline’s wedding photo. They married in a double ceremony on 12 Jun 1949.
Source: Palladium Item, 18 Nov 1998
Jim and Marceline Jones not long after they married.
Source: Find a Grave
Lynetta Putman Jones (1902-1977) at her job during World War II
Source: Palladium Item, 5 Oct 1943
John Henry Jones (1848-1941), Jim’s grandfather
Source: Find a Grave
First wife of John Henry Jones, Frances Ellen Helton (1853-1877)
Jim’s half-uncle Clement Jones (1872-1958) as a young man.
Obituary of John Henry Jones (1848-1941)
Source: Palladium Item, 27 Jun 1941
Birth certificate of James Warren “Jim” Jones (1931-1978)
Jim Jones with his cousins
Source: The Indianapolis Star, 26 Nov 1978
Jim Jones with monkeys he intended to sell in 1954.
Source: The Indianapolis Star, 15 Nov 2018
The murder case that involved Oak Burger with the Black Dahlia connection.
Source: The Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov 1952