Los Angeles herald., 1905-07-07
FRANCE DELIVERS
PAUL JONES' BODY
IMPOSING CEREMONIES ARE
HELD IN PARIS
MANY DIGNITARlES PRESENT
cssket Is Formally Delivered by Gen.
Porter to Special Commissioner
Loomis-M ccornlck Gives
Dinner
Rv Associated pteaa.

SOiuiciS anu SdilOIS VI EIdHCt anu lIlt
sailors Of America united in rendering
honors to the illustrious founder of
the American navy.
The occasion was unique and prob
ably without parallel, as the funeral
was that of Revolutionary hero who
had lain neglected in foreign grave
for over hundred years.
Seldom has any event awakened such
widespread interest in the French
capital. Dense throngs packed the
Champs Elysees and other principal
thoroughfares to witness the imposing
cortege for which the elaborateness of
its military feature equaled the martial
display on the occasion of the visit of
King Alfonso.
The ceremony of delivering the body
was held in the American church on
the Avenue d'Alma at $3.50 o'clock in
the afternoon. The inner portion of
the gothic edifice was beautifully deco
rated with plants and flowers AT the
foot of the chancel rested the casket
wrapped in an American flag and liter
ally buried in masses of floral emblems.
At the right of the altar sat Ambas-
sador Mccormick, Senior Special Ann
bassador Porter, Junior Special Ambas-
sador Loomis, United States Senator
Henry Cabot Lodge, Rear Admiral
Sigsbee and other officers Of the Ameri-
can squadron. 4crsss The sisle sat
Premier Rouvier, with other members
Of the cabinet, practically the entire
diplomatic corps and officers of the
army and navy. The members of the
diplomatic corps were in full uniform.
Scores of American sailors in the naves
on either side of the altar gave a fitting
background to the imposing scene.
Body Formally Delivered
After brief religious services Gen.
Porter, wearing evening dress, accord
ing to the French custom, with the
red sash of the Grand Cross of the
Legion of Honor across his breast, ad-
vanced alongside the casket and for
mally delivered the body to Mr.. Loomis
as the representative of the Unitd
States, and commissioned Admiral
Sigsbee to convey it to the United
States.
AS the surpliced choir took UP my
Country, 'Tis of Thee" the entire as
semblage arose and Joined in the strain
of the patriotic air. Eight brawny
sailors from the battleship Brooklyn
then stepped forward, and, raising the
casket to their shoulders, bore it slow
ly from the church to the waiting gun
carriage. This was draped with the
national colors and was drawn by six
black horses. The cortege was then
formed and proceeded along the Ave-
nue. d'Alma, the Champs Elysees and
across the Alexander bridge to the Es-
planade des Invalides. Republican
guards lined each side Of the avenues,
holding back the dense throngs, while
all the converging streets were closed
by barriers to. prevent crush.
Heading the procession came squad
ron of cuirasseurs stretching from curb
to curb, with a division of infantry
under Gen. Frey After them rumbled
the gun caisson bearing the flower
laden coffin, with guards Of American
sailors on either side. Back of the
coffin was a long line Of distinguished
officials headed by Ambassador Me-
Cormick, Special Ambassadors Porter
and Loomis, Premier Rouvier and his
cabinet, the foreign ambassadors and
French generals and admirals, all
walking. according to the French GUS
tom.
The appearance of the detachment of
500 American sailors and marines was
the signal for enthusiasm all along the
line The last came another French
division composed Of infantry, cavalry
and artillery.
Brilliant Scene Presented
Arriving at the Esplanades Invalides.
an imposing picture was presented. The
French government had erected large
pavilion in which to deposit the coffin.
The pavilion was richly hung with
crimson velvet. with martial emblems
and battle axes. entwined flags and a
row of brass field pieces along the
front. Near by rose the gilded dome
of the tomb of Napoleon.
The casket was deposited in the CEN
ter of the pavilion while the cortege
passed, rendering military honors.
Later II was borne to the Invalides
railroad station and placed in fun
eraI car where. guarded by French and
American sailors. it started for Cher
bours at 10 o'clock tonight