Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-04-15
PAUL JONEs's BODY.

est fTe1Cn HculNdl cAPCi'o @o ""i"SS
tionably that of the famous American
admiral who founded the American
navy.
Ambassador Porter cabled the news ia
Washington last night. The body is in
good state of preservation, considering
that the interment took place over 100
years ago.
The circumstances leading to the dis
covery are particularly interesting
General Porter had conducted the search
for five years, and when Congress recent
Nv took no action upon the President S
recommendation for the expenses in
cident to the search the Ambassador
continued The extensive labors at his
own expense. A large force Of work
men had been engaged night and day
tanneliug and cross-tunneling the old
St. Louis Cemetery in Paris. This
constituted huge operation, embracing
nearly block covered with buildings
and requiring system of subterranean
mining.
Hundreds of wooden collins were
found. but not until Wednesday were
unearthed fur of lead, which gave
promise of containing the body OF the
Admiral. Three of th,m bore plates
designating the names of the deceased
The fourth showed superior solidity of
workmanship. No plate was found on
this coffin, and it is supposed 1t was re-
moved when another coffin was put
upon it. The le. den coffin was opened
in the presence of General Porter, Col
onel BaiIly Blanchard, the second sec
retary of the American Embassy, and
EDglneer Weis, who has been directing
the excavation. Tbe b dy was found to
be well preserved, owing TO its being
immersel in alcohol. Ii YVES wrapped
in a sheet, with . packing of straw and
hay. Those present were Immediately
struck by the resemblance of the head
to that on the medall.ons and busts OF
the AdI1iral.
As was enucipated, no uniform, de
corat::,n or sword was found, as all such
articles had been accounted for after the
burial.
The coffin is shaped like a mummy
coffin, which pattern was common al
that period, widening from the feet to the
shoulders, with round top fitting over
the head.
The coffin was taken to the Medical
School. were Drs. Capitan and apillaut,
distinguished professors Of the school ol
anthropology and recognized authorities
on such investigations, were charged
with making thorough examination fol
the purpose of indenti6catiOn. To facll-
late this the Ambassadors furnished them
with portraits and medallions, two busts
by Houdin and authentic descriptions Of
the color of the AdmiraPs hair and the
height and measurements of his body.
After the most minute examination the
following facts were fully substantiated
Length of the body-Five feet seven
inches, the AdmiraPs exact height.
Size and shape Of the head-Agret
with several peculiaritis identical with
| the neau OF lne AuullIdl'
Hair-Dark brown, the same as the
Admira's; in places slightly gray, In
dicatiug person of his age-45 years
The hair is long, reaching below thu
shoulders, and combed back and gathered
in a clasp at the back of the neck.
The face is clean shaved, all cores
popding exactly with the descriptions
portraits and busts of the Admiral.
The linen is in good condition. One
article bears an initial, either 81" or al
inverted "P.
The body was carefully packed. Th'
limbs were wrapped in tinfoll, presum
ably for sea transportation, as indicated
in latter of the AdmiraPs neares
friend and a pallbearer at his funeral
Colonel Blackden, who said "Hi
BODY was put in a leaden coffin, s.
that in case the United States, whicl
he had so essentially served, shoul
claim his remains, they might be NOR
easily removed"
Finding that all the internal organ
we're singularly well preserved, the doc
: tors made an autopsy, which showed dis
tinct proof of the disease from which tn
Admiral is known to have died. Th
Identification was pronounced cOmplet
in every particular.
Care has been taken to keep the bod
: in its present state of preservation.
will be placed in handsome coffin an
deposited in the receiving vault OF th
American Church. on the Avenue d
= Alma, until the Ambassador can lear
the opinion of his government concern
. ing the most appropriate means
transporting it to the United States an
giving it fitting sepulcher.
, II Is probable that recommendation
,S;ll he made to Congress atitinextsessio
looking to Ambassador Porer's reim'
) hursement. The remains of John Pal
Jones are to be brought to Washlngto
and inferred in the National Cemetery
Arlington, and it is likely that the tram
lfr will be made the otclsion OF an IL
teresting demonstration. a,
Last year, when the search ior ~
S body wa. begun, Mr.. Moody, then oe' e
retary of the Navy, st'ted that II 70
}. body were found this government woul
/, send battleship to France to convey
to this country. II is not douo'eu 'n'