The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-04
ion for the acts which he performed for

ton for the acts which he performed for
his country's good.
There have never been lacking insinu-
atoms that the real reason for the Admi-
rails reticence arose from his desire to
hide certain things which had been said
touching mis- parentage. 1t was commonly
reported at one time that John Paul
Jones. though born into the family Of
John Paul. a thrifty Scotch gardener at
Ar1bgland, on the So!way Firth, was in
reality the son of Lord Selkirk upon
whose estate Gardener Paul delved. Care
full enquiry has disproved the scandal.
Jennie Macruff. the mother of the naval
hero and the wife OF Gardener Paul. was
woman of character. possessed in full
measure of the homely domestic virtues.
II must be said here that the American
admiral added the name of Jones to his
family name of Paul at the time when he
first made application for a commission
in the American Navy. Why the name
was added though speculation has been
rife for more than a century, no one to
this day knows. The boy. John Paul. the
youngest of five sons, was born in little
cottage standing in a glade near where
the NTH comes flowing into the Solway.
When only twelve years of age he was
apprenticed TO a ship merchant at White
Haven. a village where. years afterward.
obedience by the mention of the demon,
Paul Jones. The future admiral's first voy-
age took him to the Rappshanuock River
of America. Twice or three tiInes the trip
was repeated. and finally. ewing to the
death of his master. the apprentice was
released from his engagement, at the age
of sixteen. An elder brother had settled
on the banks OF the American river, and
with him the boy lived and studied for
some time. He again went to sea about
the time that he attained his majority,
sailing for Scotland as a foremost hand in
a brig. On the voyage the captain and
mate died. and the crew placed Jones in
command On his arrival in Scotland the
owners of the vessel gave him the berth of
captain.
1t was at this time that Jones is sup
posed to have met the woman whom he
loved-Alice Dunscombe Cooper calls her
in his masteriul sea tale. THE Pilot
They were not married. but it is said to
have been strong and abiding affection
for this sweet, gravefaced Scotch girl
which kept him single in after life. The
touch of mystery is not wanting here.
There are those who deny that such
woman as Alice Dunscombe ever existed,
and they cay that Cooperis elaborate de-
lineation of her character and the absorb
IuBiy lHlCEtSIluS utldliS Vi liie utttlHSS III
after years between the pilot and Alice
Dunscombe were devoid of foundation.
Why He Left Scotland.
On a voyage outward bound from Scot
land, Jones, as captain Of the merchant
brig, ordered that mutinous carpenter be
fogged. year afterward the man died.
Jones' enemies said. as a result of the
beating. Jones friends said as the result
of long-fxed disease. The youthful cap
tain succeeded in clearing his character in
the eyes of all unprecedented persons, but
the treatment that he received while I'M
der suspicion at the hands OF his former
Scotch friends so aroused his Indignation
and anger that he quit Scotland never TO
return, except as an implacable enemy.
Jones. or as he was then, John Paul.
was next heard of living in penury
near Fredericksburg. this country. The
Revolution came on. At the time of
the battles at Lexington and Concord
the colonies did not have a single
vessel af1cat. There was no material
for a navy save some good sailors. The
future American admiral walked to Phiia-
delphia in the autumn of 1913, and ap-
peared before the Marine Committee, ap-