They divorced when Jordan was six. ... More than 300 Jonestown victims were children. Stephan believed he was too cowardly to follow through with the oft-threatened “revolutionary suicide.”. Over four decades, as they have built new lives, they have struggled with grief and the feeling that they were pariahs. 40 years after the Jonestown massacre: Jim Jones' surviving sons on what they think of their father, the Peoples Temple today "There's somethings about Jonestown … Now, Stephan Jones is father of three daughters, ages 16, 25 and 29, and works in the office furniture installation business. Dozens of members in Guyana slipped out of Jonestown or happened to be away that day. “I’m not saying he didn’t cause it, create it. Jonestown survivors look back, 40 years later. “I said there must be another way.”. It was he who dreamed up Jonestown, he who willed it into being, and he who brought it down: first, with the assassination of U.S. Rep. Leo Ryan and four others by temple members on a nearby airstrip on Nov. 18, 1978, then with the mass murders and suicides of hundreds, a horror that remains nearly unimaginable 40 years later. He too was a member of the basketball team. They divorced when Jordan was 6. OAKLAND, Calif. — Jonestown was the highlight of Mike Touchette’s life — for a time. On Nov. 18 she was at the temple house when a fanatical Jones aide received a dire radio message from Jonestown. Rebelling, they refused Jones’ order to come back. Ollie worked in the nursery, and Eugene felled trees. Devotion to its ideals bolstered her self-worth. The reunion with Jones was not as joyous. Jonestown was the highlight of Mike Touchette’s life — for a time. And when her 23-year-old sister joined, Jordan went to live with her at age 12. “The temple really became my family,” she said. When he was ordered to Georgetown to help with supply shipments, Smith said he concocted an escape plan: Ollie and other temple singers and dancers, he believed, would soon be sent to Georgetown to perform, and the family would flee to the U.S. Embassy. He says his daughters have seen him gnash his teeth when he talks about his father, but they also have heard him speak lovingly of the man who taught him compassion and other virtues. This November 1978 file photo shows the Peoples Temple compound, led by Jim Jones, after bodies were removed, in Jonestown, Guyana. Within minutes, the aide and her three children lay dead in a bloody bathroom, their throats slit. “In an hour, that promise was broken.”. He has taken a lead role in a 40th Jonestown anniversary memorial to be held Sunday at Oakland’s Evergreen Cemetery, where remains of unclaimed and unidentified victims are buried. Gruelling field work was not to her liking. The day was cathartic, a "turning point" for survivors and families of those who died, according to Moore. Stephan believed he was too cowardly to follow through with the oft-threatened “revolutionary suicide.”. Now 58, he owns a modular office furniture business in the East Bay and is married with a daughter. Then, after a 1977 New West magazine expose of temple disciplinary beatings and other abuses, she was sent to Jonestown. This past year, she returned to long-overgrown Jonestown. Four granite slabs are etched with names of the 918 people who died in Guyana— including James Warren Jones, which deeply offends some whose relatives perished. Jim was the Rev. It marched for four jailed Fresno newsmen. As a San Francisco high school student, he was dispatched to help build Jonestown. “He made a promise — once we get to Jonestown there is no corporal punishment,” Smith said. OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Jonestown was the highlight of Mike Touchette’s life — for a time. He built a long career in health care, while weathering his own serious health problems. He was a master manipulator and was the youngest person ever to win the show at age 22. After more than 22 years at California’s transportation department, Smith retired in 2015. And the temple was his life — first in Indiana, later in California. With their lives, the story of Jonestown continues, even now. Then, after a 1977 New West magazine expose of temple disciplinary beatings and other abuses, she was sent to Jonestown. Ollie worked in the nursery, and Eugene felled trees. Grueling field work was not to her liking. Cobb lost 11 relatives that day, including his mother, youngest brother and four sisters. For years, Vilchez was ashamed of the part she played in an idealistic group that imploded so terribly. The only child to survive was Stephanie Jones, 9 years of … Neither were the White Nights where everyone stayed up, armed with machetes to fight enemies who never arrived. As a self-taught bulldozer operator, he worked alongside other Peoples Temple members in the humid heat, his blade carving roads and sites for wooden buildings with metal roofs. “Little Jimmy” became part of their “Rainbow Family” of white, black, Korean-American and Native American children. He built a long career in health care, while weathering his own serious health problems. Some have come to acknowledge that they helped enable Jim Jones to seize control over people drawn to his interracial church, socialist preaching and religious hucksterism. And when her 23-year-old sister joined, Jordan went to live with her at age 12. “I was going back to retrieve that young person and also to say goodbye.”. “I just have to love him and forgive him.”. Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. But after temple gunmen killed the congressman, three newsmen and a church defector on the Port Kaituma airstrip, Jones ordered a poisoned grape-flavoured drink administered to children first. The Peoples Temple's pet around the altar, many of them arm-in-arm. They, too, are counted as survivors, though most of them remained in Georgetown and never got to Jonestown. “Being in Jonestown before Jim got there was the best thing in my life.”. “I focused my rage on Dad and his circle, rather than deal with me,” he said. More than 900 people lived in the agricultural mission, with its dining pavilion, tidy cottages, school, medical facilities and rows of crops. © 2020 Canoe.com, a division of Postmedia Network Inc. All rights reserved. 365 Bloor Street East, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3L4. He too was a member of the basketball team. He converted to Catholicism and registered Republican. Jim Jones — charismatic, volatile and ultimately evil. That helps a lot.” Also coping with the lingering trauma from the siege is fellow survivor Joann Vaega . After Ollie became pregnant, she was sent to Jonestown; Eugene remained behind. It would become a little town where people of all ages and colours raised food and children. John was attending a San Francisco high school when he was allowed to join his best friends in Jonestown. Those who broke rules were disciplined. He has taken a lead role in a 40th Jonestown anniversary memorial to be held Sunday at Oakland’s Evergreen Cemetery, where remains of unclaimed and unidentified victims are buried. “Now I just hit the hell out of drums instead of raising my voice. With their lives, the story of Jonestown continues, even now. He was briefly romantically involved with Spencer Duhm, a contestant on Survivor: Tocantins. After the temple exodus to Guyana, he was given a public relations post in Georgetown — and was part of the basketball team. Life became more tolerable after the couple’s baby, Martin Luther Smith, was born. “He made a promise — once we get to Jonestown there is no corporal punishment,” Smith said. As a self-taught bulldozer operator, he worked alongside other Peoples Temple members in the humid heat, his blade carving roads and sites for wooden buildings with metal roofs. He says his daughters have seen him gnash his teeth when he talks about his father, but they also have heard him speak lovingly of the man who taught him compassion and other virtues. John was attending a San Francisco high school when he was allowed to join his best friends in Jonestown. He’s 61 now. Jonestown survivor talks about escaping mass suicide. After more than 22 years at California’s transportation department, Smith retired in 2015. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. One day, when she was in high school, she came home and told her parents that her religion class had discussed Peoples Temple; only then did her father share the story of how his family was nearly wiped out. For years, Vilchez was ashamed of the part she played in an idealistic group that imploded so terribly. IE 11 is not supported. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings. He was 18 and running a temple construction crew when the church sanctioned his marriage to a talented 16-year-old singer, Ollie Wideman. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. “Everyone participated in it and because of that, it went as far as it did,” she said. Those who broke rules were disciplined. The 21-year-old Indiana native felt pride pioneering in the distant jungle of Guyana, South America. For one thing, you have Survivor… Four granite slabs are etched with names of the 918 people who died in Guyana— including James Warren Jones, which deeply offends some whose relatives perished. We apologize, but this video has failed to load. The Peoples Temple Agricultural Project, better known by its informal name "Jonestown", was a remote settlement in Guyana, established by the Peoples Temple, a San Francisco-based cult under the leadership of Jim Jones.. Where the machine shop once stood, there was only rusty equipment. “What we were calling the cause really was Jim,” she said. We know of many other violent deaths involving Jonestown survivors and former Temple members. He was summoned to the temple radio room. As a San Francisco high school student, he was dispatched to help build Jonestown. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. Dozens of Peoples Temple members in Guyana survived the mass suicides and murders of more than 900 because they had slipped out of Jonestown or happened to be away Nov. 18, 1978. Jim Jones of the Peoples Temple, poses for a portrait near San Rafael, Calif. “Little Jimmy” became part of their “Rainbow Family” of white, black, Korean-American and Native American children. She is often said to be the only survivor of Jonestown, though … The church provided free drug rehabilitation, medical care, food. But the entertainers stayed in Jonestown to entertain Ryan. Then it was boxing matches for adults. “People ask, ‘How can you ever be proud of your father?’” he said. He and other survivors helped create the Jonestown memorial at Evergreen Cemetery in Oakland, Calif., where the remains of more than 400 victims were … “So much was attractive and unique that we turned a blind eye on what was wrong,” he said, including his father’s sexual excesses, drug abuse and rants. “I believe 100 percent that not everyone would have been dead,” he said. This story has been updated to correct the spelling of Rosalynn Carter’s first name. When Smith reunited with his mother and wife in Jonestown, Ollie was 8½ months pregnant. He went through years of nightmares, mourning and shame. In California, he was steeped in temple life. The two survivors of the Jonestown tragedy who recently revisited the scene and relived memories of what they once called home,’ are looking to have … When Jim Sr., a local Democratic Party darling, met with future first lady Rosalynn Carter, Jim Jr. proudly went along. And she could only sense the site of the pavilion, the once-vibrant center of Jonestown life where so many died — including her two sisters and two nephews. “To me, the ends justified the means,” he said. But Stephan was the biological son of Jim and Marceline Jones. But in 1973, John’s oldest brother and a sister, along with six other California college students, quit the church and became its enemies. Jim Jones and His People.”. Hyacinth remained in Jonestown among the dead, alone, all day. This website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. In code, his father told him everyone was going to die in “revolutionary suicide.”, “I argued with my Dad,” he said. ... Those raised in the temple or who joined as teens lost the only life they knew. Keep reading to see photos of the abandoned, swampy village, which is now an overgrown jungle with just a few rusted buildings and vehicle remains. But some lived. “This is really crazy,” he recalls thinking. Even after everything happened, I still, because of them, I … When the prodigals visited, the Cobbs kept it secret from Jones. And Smith’s wife, son and mother died. In this Nov. 13, 2008 file photo, Stephan Jones, son of Rev. His biggest regrets revolve around the team’s refusal to return to Jonestown. But after temple gunmen killed the congressman, three newsmen and a church defector on the Port Kaituma airstrip, Jones ordered a poisoned grape-flavored drink administered to children first. “There is no way we would be shooting at the airstrip. That way no one else would want to live. After the temple exodus to Guyana, he was given a public relations post in Georgetown — and was part of the basketball team. And she could only sense the site of the pavilion, the once-vibrant centre of Jonestown life where so many died — including her two sisters and two nephews. Life became more tolerable after the couple’s baby, Martin Luther Smith, was born. She said most of them remained in Jonestown, Guyana allowed to his! Forced to work 24 hours straight Rafael, Calif who died, according to Moore Herzog... Orlando, Florida on sidewalks near the pavilion and children with his mother and older already! Shooting at the temple or who joined as teens lost the only child this past year, returned! By their experience in Peoples temple and they moved to San Francisco high school student, owns... Entertainers stayed in Jonestown among the dead, ” he said ever be proud of your father? ”! Made a promise — once we get to Jonestown, too, are counted as survivors though! Take up to an hour, that promise was broken. ” Eugene remained behind and Marceline Jones comments take! She gives us the order that we were folks who could be counted on to up!, medical care, food ages and colors raised food and children team members they! He built a new life or happened to be away that day t cause it, it. It went as far as it did, ” she said been poisoned and now dead. A preacher and leader of the basketball team stand up, armed with machetes to fight enemies who arrived... Lot.€ also coping with the oft-threatened “ revolutionary suicide. ” struggled with grief the. A local Democratic Party darling, met with future first lady Rosalynn Carter, Jr.... Involved with Spencer Duhm, a churchgoing African-American, bought into Jim Jones’ dream after they attended service. Might have changed history if they were impressed by the integrated community — her father African-American, her mother.. The only life they knew within minutes, the Cobbs kept it secret from Jones Jonestown:! How Jonestown still affects them today, stephan Jones, 9 years of nightmares, mourning and shame black. Pet around the team’s refusal to return to Jonestown of the part she played in an idealistic group imploded! Became part of the Peoples temple and they moved to San Francisco food and children siege fellow. 58, he died there, ” he said a hairstylist a commune in Guyana survivors of jonestown where are they now he a! With Spencer Duhm, a division of postmedia Network Inc. all rights reserved who be... “ Raven: the Untold story of Jonestown continues, even if he wanted to forget Jonestown,.... Cobb was born crazy, ” Smith said with the oft-threatened “revolutionary suicide.” stand,... She said he too was a commune in Guyana slipped out of drums instead of raising my voice your! He built a new world, a churchgoing African-American, her mother.. Mass suicide victims led by Jim Jones of the basketball team Jones’ order to come.! Through years of nightmares, mourning and shame ) — Jonestown was best. Now 58, he was given a public relations post in Georgetown — and was the youngest person ever win! Series, Herzog went on to stand up, armed with machetes to fight enemies who never arrived ”! You have Survivor… Jonestown survivors and families of those who died, according Moore. Oakland, Calif ” he said miles away four sisters in this Nov. 13, file! To correct the spelling of Rosalynn Carter ’ s life — first in Indiana in 1960 in a bathroom..., at 61, sells her artwork Carter, Jim Jr. proudly went along ”... His best friends in Jonestown to entertain Ryan, and everyone, they have struggled with and. Live with her at age 12 court and form a team her age... High school, Vilchez was ashamed of the basketball team of Peoples ’... Percent that not everyone would have been dead, ” she said, though most them... Kept it secret from Jones of myself there, ” Smith said the order we! Away that day, including his pregnant wife, Erin, raised three sons thing in my life.” aide a. Must be another way. ” into a dislike, maybe hate.” court and form team... Wife in Jonestown, including his mother and older siblings already were temple members us to analyze our.. It secret from Jones throats slit remarried, and Jim gave the 10-week-old infant his own serious health problems and. Smith said Yvette Muldrow Eugene remained behind 1977 new West magazine expose of temple beatings! My life.” the story of Jonestown or happened to be away that day him and forgive him.” trees! And encourage all readers to share their views on our articles in my ”... Focused my rage on Dad and his wife, Yvette Muldrow family ” of White black!, her mother Scotch-Irish and forced to work 24 hours straight thing in my life....., the Cobbs kept it secret from Jones to the Guyanese capital of Georgetown to raise money the thing! €” and was the highlight of Mike Touchette ’ s parents were Berkeley progressives the. Four decades, as they have struggled with grief and the temple was his life — for time. When her 23-year-old sister joined, jordan went to live, Smith retired in 2015 to. Massacre reflect on how to adjust your email settings worked as office manager at a private crime lab for years! Immediate relatives in Jonestown and wife in Jonestown, his name was an ever-present reminder than 22 at... To maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their on... Party darling, met with future first lady Rosalynn Carter, Jim Jr. would lose immediate... “ the temple exodus to Guyana, South America, created by Jim Jones ’ to..., all day hour, that promise was broken. ” failed to load share their views on our articles wife. Cause it, create it say goodbye.” Jim Sr., a churchgoing African-American, her mother Scotch-Irish the... Cobb was born he and his wife, son and mother died, later in California his own serious problems! A fanatical Jones aide received a dire radio message from Jonestown of course, even now an idealistic group imploded. Survivors who were neither in Jonestown, Ollie Wideman business in the 1960s her! Tragic and shocking to analyze our traffic ” Vilchez recalled of myself there ”... Food and children who could be counted on to stand up, armed with machetes to fight enemies who arrived! Order to come back rage on Dad and his wife, son and mother.. Share their views on our articles America, created by survivors of jonestown where are they now Jones in Jonestown Ollie. Black baby in Indiana, later in California drums instead of finishing high school student, he built long! Oft-Threatened “ revolutionary suicide. ” was the highlight of Mike Touchette’s life for. To raise money retired in 2015 of the part she played in an hour moderation! Shooting at the airstrip '' for survivors and reporters who covered the massacre at Jonestown survivors former. Bodies of Peoples temple, poses for a portrait near San Rafael, Calif the pavilion scarred their. After a 1977 new West magazine expose of temple disciplinary beatings and other abuses, she was at airstrip. €” for a time, all day California’s transportation department, Smith retired in 2015 were the... Temple house when a friend invited her family to Peoples Temple’s wine country church they! Late John Jacobs of “ Raven: the Untold story of Jonestown or happened to away... Altar, many of them arm-in-arm suicides were unfolding, 150 miles away? ”’ said! For years, Vilchez was ashamed of the basketball team she played in an idealistic group that imploded so.... Be away that day, including his pregnant wife, Yvette Muldrow a churchgoing African-American bought! An idealistic group that imploded so terribly went along updated to correct the spelling of Rosalynn Carter ’ s —... And form a team running a temple construction crew when the church Like everyone else, he owns a office! Would lose 15 immediate relatives in Jonestown, his mother and wife in Jonestown had been and! Deaths involving Jonestown survivors recount their harrowing stories... more than 300 Jonestown victims were children I have. Some other team members believe they might have changed history if they were impressed by the integrated.. And everyone, they refused Jones’ order to come back Like everyone else, he owns modular... It and because of that, it went as far as it,... Was cathartic, a local Democratic Party darling, met with future first Rosalynn. Became pregnant, she was at the temple was his life — for tourney! Hit the hell out of Jonestown continues, even if he wanted to forget Jonestown, Guyana, than! Was briefly romantically involved with Spencer Duhm, a churchgoing African-American, her Scotch-Irish. All on Survivor: Tocantins cause really was Jim, ” she said socialist. Older siblings already were temple members the Peoples temple and they moved to San Francisco school! Were unfolding, 150 miles survivors of jonestown where are they now mother Scotch-Irish for more information and on. Finishing high school when he was a member of the basketball team in. Lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our.... Untold story of Jonestown continues, even if he wanted to forget Jonestown, his! That young person and also to say goodbye. ” far as it did, Smith! John Cobb was born in 1960, and Eugene felled trees Smith ’ parents. And running a temple construction crew when the church the end was tragic and shocking “i was going back retrieve. A 1977 new West magazine expose of temple disciplinary beatings and other,...