Jim Jones and Carolyn Layton

“Our communication is so deep that we can often know the other’s emotions. I naturally have no parapsychological power and am very down-to-earth, but I know him so well I often can tell how he will feel about things. He knows more about me than I know myself and always accepts me totally. Total acceptance and communication make our love deeper than I thought possible between two humans.” 1970 letter sent by Carolyn Layton to her sister Rebecca.

In most books and documentaries, Carolyn Layton is only described as Jim Jones’ lover, even though she was actually considered as his second wife rather than a simple mistress and they had a son together in 1975, named Kimo. More importantly, she was one of the many women of power in Peoples Temple. Carolyn was part of the decision-making team from the beginning of her membership to the last day in Jonestown. Defector Grace Stoen, who lost her son, John Victor in Jonestown, stated that women in Peoples Temple were given all the respect and power within the inner circle of leaders. She felt she had never experienced such a feeling of power before or since then, and all the responsibilities given to her at that time was an incredible educational experience. Another woman with high privileges and power was Patty Cartmell. Patty was the only person allowed during services to “stretch out on a chaise long and nod off. Only when Jim felt he was saying something important for Patty to hear would he awaken her.”

Picture dated from December 1973. From left to right : Carolyn Layton, Patty Cartmell and Jim Jones.

Sources : Hearing the Voices of Jonestown by Mary McCormick Maaga and The Cult that Died by George Klineman