The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-05-07

that John Paul Jones got his name IRON
a Virginia planter. Mr.. Cyrus L. 3raps,
IN his biography of his favortte heroes
contained in his Great Cormander series,
saws that he adopted tile name III ai1ec-
ttonate regard for the Hon WINE Jpnes
and his beautiful and charming wire,
who had both Been very kind to nm m
his days OF obscurity.'
"He adds that it was Willie Jones, one
Of the leading attorneys and politicians
In his native STATE, who afterwards
secured for Paul a command IN the
United States navy. He likewise sur
misses that. ms the Jones family were tne
first people of refinement and ediication
with whom young Paul ever associated,
1t was to them that were primarily que
the polish and cultivation which later au,
mittcd the gardeners son to the hiehest
circles In American and French society.
THE impression made upon young John
Paul by the privilege of association with
these friends, who had raised him from
tramp to n welcome guest for al
Indefinite time was Of the deepest, and
he gave to them, especially to Mrs. Jones,
a warm hearted affection and devotion
amounting to generations
"Mr. Brady is right In his statements.
An autograph letter from Willie Jones's
granddaughter, Mrs. William w. Aston
who Is now living in Isle OF Wight coun-
ty, Va, In answer to one OF inquiry re-
gardng this statement, says: You ask
did John Paul Jones change his name
in compliment to my grandfather. Willie
Jones? I have always heard that he did,
and there Is no reason to doubt the fact.
Not only have / always heard 1t, but u
was confirmed by my cousin, Mrs. Hnh-
bard, wife Of Colonel Il. Hubbard, from
Virginia. while In Washington IN 1886,
with her husband, who was a member Of
Congress. She then met n nephew or
John Paul Jones' who sought her out or
hearing who she was. He told her OF
hearing his uncle and family speak OF
this incident often, and his great devo-
ton to the family, so that. IN my opin-
Ion. You can state It ms n historical fact
This lady is more than eighty years old,
but her letter Is full of love and venera-
ton for the name of her honored grand
parents and the associations of her child
hood"
Appended to this statement is the name
OF Mrs. Ida Wilkins, who resides at We'll
don. and who enjoys, in the language of
Colonel Burgwyn, q we'll earned reputa-
ton for careful research and enthusiastic
interest in historical matters pertaining
to her State.
The subject grows in interest. and we
are glad We raised the question. In yes
terday's paper we published an article
from Mr.. 8. ]. Quinn, of Fredericksburg,
in which he declared that John Paul took
the name of Jones In order to conceal his
identity It Is we'll known that on one
of his voyages he had q difficulty with
a carpenter named Maxwell, and as q re-
suit of tho injuries received Maxwell
died, nnd John Paul was charged with
murder. John became incensed and left
his native land for America. Flo found
his way to fredericksburg, where his
brother lived, and catching the spirit of
American independence, he joined the
American navy with the determination Of
carrying the war into Africa" so to
speak. He well knew that If he should be
captured he would be tried for both
treason and murder, and to escape iden-
tihcation In the event Of capture he as
sumed the name Of Jones. Such is Mr..
Quinn's story. and 1t is the most plausible
we have heard.