November 21, 2003, San Francisco Chronicle, Nov. 21, 1978: Jonestown suicide death toll rises; Milk and Moscone slain in S.F., by Laura Perkins,

Nov. 21, 1978: The death toll grows to 405 from the mass suicides and killings at the Peoples Temple compound in Jonestown, Guyana. The Rev. Jim Jones was one of only three people who died by gunshot, the rest appear to have died from drinking Kool-Aid laced with cyanide.

Mayor George Moscone backs away from reappointing Dan White to his former seat on the Board of Supervisors. White quit the board on Nov. 10, citing financial problems, and then withdrew his resignation on Nov. 15. Moscone said he told White it "might not be prudent" to reappoint him unless White is able to marshal substantial support from his constituents in District Eight.

Nov. 22: Real estate records indicate several members gave their homes to Peoples Temple and that the organization then sold the property when it needed cash. Former members of the cult admit they were ordered to sign blank power- of-attorney forms and blank deed papers by temple authorities.

Nov. 24: U.S. military personnel report that as many as 780 Americans died at Jonestown when Peoples Temple leader Jim Jones ordered them to commit suicide. The earlier estimate of about 400 bodies was low because the Guyanese authorities who were the first to reach the scene did not move any of the bodies and so missed counting the children and babies underneath the adults.

Nov. 25: In the wake of the Guyana tragedy, local churches and funeral homes are gearing up to help families of the victims. The Church of God in Christ and the Christian Reformed Church along with Osborne Funeral Directors and Lewis and Ribbs Mortuary are asking other churches and funeral homes to join their effort.

Nov. 26: A cigarette smoldering in a mezzanine lounge ignited a two-alarm fire that gutted the Dance Your Ass Off disco at 901 Columbus Ave. The fire damage is estimated at $70,000.

Nov. 27: Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk are murdered in their City Hall offices. Former Supervisor Dan White turns himself in and surrenders his gun to police about a half hour after the shooting deaths. Dianne Feinstein immediately assumes the post of mayor under a provision that requires the president of the Board to serve as mayor until a new chief can be selected.

About 30,000 people crowd City Hall's Polk Street steps during a candlelight vigil to mourn the murder of Mayor George Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk. Many in the crowd walk to the rally in a long procession down Market Street from the Castro. Acting Mayor Dianne Feinstein offers eulogies and folksinger Joan Baez leads the crowd in singing hymns.