The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-07-13
From the iPttsburg Post.


HN HEN the public schools open
wv again public interest in the ex-
humation from French soil of
the body of Commodore John Paul Jones
and its return for refinement In the land
for which its mortal possessor did so
much will have attained that pitch that
doubtless the story of his exploits will
absorb the reading of pupils. Thus be-
come impressed indelibly upon the stu
dent mind the facts of history when
some concrete event happens upon which
research can be made to depend, and
which stirs the mind to enthusiastic in
terest.
1t is well to keep fresh the story of the
great engagement of the Bon Hommc
Richard and the Scraps off Flamborough
head, that Yorkshire promontory, Sep
TENDER %. 1879, when Paul Jones forced
the surrender of the British ship and
later sailed upon it as his own flag yes
sci, the Bon Homme Richard having sue
cumbed to fire, shot and old age. Every
element of the thrilling and patriotic Is
present in the recital The two ships
were dashed together, crews fought with
cutlasses at close quarters and with
three sx-pounders Jones raked the decks
of the Scraps. finally cutting in two the
main mast.
pivotal point in Jones biography is
recalled by the insolent remark of the
British commander as he hauled down his
Aao HOY lor To do
feat to a man who fought with rope
around his neck Zones was a pirate
in the British eye). In this combat, for
which both the American Congress and
| the French chamber voted him medals,
decorations, orders and thanks, Ameri-
cans will always have fervent pride. The
American gold medal has it's inscription
in that quaint Latinity. "Johanni Paulo
jones'" where all but the name Jones
yielded to the barbarous adaptation. "Ad
Dram Scotia" it proceeds. and then in the
| same monk tongue is recited how Jones
captured or put to flight the ships OF
the enemy. There were forty-one mer-
chantment in the Baltic squadron under
convoy of the Scraps and the Countess
of Scarborough. The latter was captured
| by the Pallas after the main engage
ment.
Then the school pupil will read again
with new interest the story of tie rails
| ing of the American flag by Jones on
! the Alfred, but that was the colonial
rattlesnake emblem. What is of more
| impressiveness is the fact that he is
credited with unfurling the Stars and
Stripes as proclaimed by Congress June
IA, 1777, but that was over his other ship,
the Ranger.
| Another episode in Jones' career re-
ceives not the quota of attention that il
deserves, for 1t illustrates trait in his
character not suspected should the re-
cital of his prize captures ars1 naval ex-
PLOTS alone be followed. His place OF
nativity in Scotland was near Solway
| frit, wooded and picturesque. In his
boyhood the Countess of SellSirk, whose
| husband owned a splendid estate nearby
had done him many kindnesses Graft
tude did not disappear. When in he
was cruising off the Scottish coast and
preying upon British commerce, in q
small boat with a few companions, he
rowed up the Solway with the design Of
capturing Earl Selkirk and holding him
as a hostage in order to compel the ex-
change of prisoners on more favorable
| terms. The earl was absent from MS
castle. A lieutenant with the spirit Of
graft and loot possessing him dem"- ID
that something be taken from the castle
to appease the appetite for prizes. Some
silver plate of great value was thus re-
moved and brought to this country. Jones