In the summer of 1972 Jim Jones led a bus trip across the United States to visit Father Divine’s Peace Mission in Philadelphia. As the caravan of busses passed through Indiana, Jones visited his hometown and performed in churches in Indianapolis. A reporter from the Indianapolis Star, Carolyn Pickering was suspicious of the advertised claims of healings, miracles and the paranormal powers of Jones.
Pickering’s articles in the Indianapolis Star appeared almost concurrently with Lester Kinsolving’s series in the San Francisco Examiner. While Kinsolving’s articles focused on the life of the Temple in the Bay Area, Pickering’s examined the Temple’s history in Indianapolis and defectors who travelled to California with Jones but became disillusioned. See also Alternative Considerations of Jonestown & Peoples Temple.
Former City Preacher Feels Heat of Publicity in West, Sept. 21, 1972, pp. 1, 14
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Woe-Beset Woman Says ‘Prophet’ And Aide Harassed Her And Mate, Sept. 22, 1972, pp. 1, 15
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Family Pleads With Aged Aunt Not To ‘Throw Away Her Bible,’ Sept. 23, 1972, pp. 1, 10
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‘Prophet,’ Attorney Probe Asked, Sept. 24, 1972, pp. 1+
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