From Silver Lake to Suicide: One Family's Secret History of the Jonestown Massacre

L.A. Weekly ^ | October 22, 2008 | Barry Isaacson

[forkinsocket]

A cache of letters hidden in the basement brings to life a house, a family and the tragedy that would change everything

“Dear Folks,” the letter begins, “I think of you when I hear a Beethoven symphony or the words of a childhood hero repeated and more beautiful as I approach my forties. The strength and principles you planted into me at an early age, though inconsistent with the larger culture I grew up in, is now flowering in fertile soil. I see your faces in my mind and remember the courage both of you demonstrated during the McCarthy period when you were alone. How fortunate that Gail and David can grow up in a community that supports their ideals — it shows — they are so strong and independent, you would be proud. I work hard. I’m the administrator of the medical system in Jonestown. It’s the most exciting thing I’ve ever done. There is a song we sing that begins, ‘It feels good to rise with the morning sun,’ and ends, ‘It feels good to see all the work we’ve done and to know the future is now,’ it sums up my feelings about my life here. I am thousands of miles from you, the electronic communications are limited between us, but I am more your daughter than I’ve ever been before.”

The letter, signed simply “Phyllis,” is written to her parents, Herbert and Freda Alexander, who raised their only child in the hills above the Silver Lake reservoir. It is dated April 15, 1978, when Phyllis Chaikin was 39 years old, her husband, Gene, 45, and their children, Gail and David, 17 and 15.

[Albion Wilde]

I read an article (forgot the source) where it mentioned how Rev. Jim Jones had the Mayor, DA and other VIPs supporting him. Former San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, who now appears as an “expert” on CNN and MSNBC, supported Jim Jones before and after the “suicides.”

The article also points out Jones' bringing about his communards' support for Moscone, who appointed Harvey Milk, who both convenientlly became martyrs for the (disguised) communist cause. Dianne Feinstein, president of the Board of Supervisors, succeeded to replace Moscone as Mayor, and the rest is history.

Oh, except for that the trial of the assassin gave us the now-renowned term, the Twinkie defense.

See what happens when you hang around with communists, children?

[SJSAMPLE]

Indianapolis in 1952.
Then it moved to SF in 1975.
I think he centered around Michigan City and Chicago during the 1960s.

[leapfrog0202]

Thanks - looks interesting & I’m pinging it for later.

[Creme Brulee]

Thanks, it was a great read.

[JZelle]

Communist all the way. I read a book by one of his close confidantes, Deborah Layton. She was lucky enough to escape. Before it hit the fan, Jones’ goal was to move to the USSR or Cuba. The Soviets told him to get lost, if I recall correctly.

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

The communist parents of Phyllis Alexander Chaikin were cold fish. Did you read the last letter they wrote to her? They also never claimed her body or those of their grandchildren. Brrrrrr...