Jim Jones is a classic case of ego run amuck. He started his evangelical pursuits as a young boy, at 10. His father supported the KKK, and Jim Jones saw injustice toward the black community everywhere. In 1956 he formed the “Wings of Deliverance,” which later became the People’s Temple. He used fear to control his flock, stating that the United States would fall under nuclear attacks, so he moved his flock from Indiana to California. Like other loser-leaders, he fell victim to his own popularity. Traveling from Indiana to California, he rode in bus #7, which had a bedroom suite in the back. There, he would lead women to his lair. And who would say “no” to “Father.”

He settled in Redwood Valley, California, but continued to operate a recruiting station back in Indiana. He had a church in San Francisco where he held “healing” sessions. These were fake displays where supposed cripples and invalids miraculously became able to walk (and dance). Some, not recognizing it was the same invalid in the morning and evening sessions.

The abuses toward his congregation became known and as the government closed in, he fled to Guyana. There, he set up his paradise, where, as any socialistic society, he lives in relative luxury (the only hut with air conditioning and a steady flow of paramours), while the “people” toil in the fields.

His utopia began to fall apart, and Jones was visited by US Congressman Leo Ryan. He ordered the murder of the congressman, while he and others prepared to depart from the local airstrip. Following this, Jones ordered the suicide of everyone in Jonestown. In Georgetown, the way station, two women operated the station and helped each other slit their own throats. All toll, 909 people died as a result of this madman.

As the bodies arrived in the US, no mortuary would accept them, for fear of “groupies” wanting to flock to the sites.

Jim Jones was a master at controlling people. His ego got in the way, and like every other loser-leader we’ve covered, it was his downfall.