The Lee County journal. (Leesburg, Ga.) 1904-19??, 1905-07-14
REMAINS OF PAUL JONES
Turned Over to American Special Com
mission at Paris With Imposing
Ceremonies.

IN the presence OF tn9 highest dig
nitaries Of France, the diplomatic rep
resentatives Of many foreign govern
ments and civil and naval officials
of the United States, the body of
Admiral john Paul Jones was for
mally deliveredisto the United States
government in Paris Thursday. The
ceremony was one combining impress
ssye dignity with brilliant military
and naval pomp in which the soldiers
and sailors of France and the sailors
OF America united in rendering hon
ors to the illustrious founder of the
American navy.
The occasion was unique and prob
ably without parallel, as the funeral
was that of a. revolutionary hero who
had lain neglected in a foreign grave
for over a hundred years.
The ceremony OF delivering the
body was held in the American
church on the Avenue de Palma. at
$3.50 o'clock in the afternoon. The
interior of this gothic edifce was
beautifully decorated with plants and
flowers. At the foot Of the chancel
rested the caslxet, wrapped in an
American flag and literally buried in
masses of floral emblems.
At the right of the altar sat Am
bassador Mccormick, Senior Special
Ambassador Porter, Junior Special
Ambassador Loomis, United States
Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, Rear Ad-
miral Sigsbee and other officers of
the American squadron Across the
aisle sat Premier Rouvier, with 9th
ers members Of his cabinet. practi-
cally the entire diplomatic corps and
officers of the army and navy Scores
OF American sailors, on either side
Of the altar, gave fitting background
to the imposing scene.
After brief religious services, Gen
eral Porter, according to the French
custom, with the red sash Of the
Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor
across his breast, advanced alongside
the casket and formally delivered
the body to Mr.. LOOMS, as the rep
resentative Of the United States gov
eminent, who accepted it in the name
OF the government and commissioned
Admiral Sigsbee to transport it to
the United States.
AS the supplied choir took up 'My
Country, 'Tis Of Thee" the entire as
semblage rose and joined in the
strains of the patriotic hymn Eight
brawny sailors from the Brooklyn
then stepped forward and, raising the
casket on their shoulders, bore 1t
slowly from the church to the wait
ing gun carriage The carriage was
draped with the national colors and
was drawn by six black horses.
The cortege was now formed and
proceeded to the Esplanade des In
valides. Arriving at the esplanade an
imposing picture wss presented. The
French government had erected
large pavilion in which to deposit the
conn.
The oasket was deposited in the
center Of the pavilion while the cor
tege passed, rendering military hon
ors. Later It was bourne to the In
yalides railroad station and placed in
funeral car where, guarded by
French and American soldiers, it
started for Cherbourg at 10 o'clock
The unusual sight Of detachment
OF United States sailors and marines
swinging through the central thor
oughfares Of Paris aroused great in
terest and brought out an enthusiast
tic ovation from the crowds along
the line of march. The American
naval contingent numbered 500 men
and presented a fine appearance. All
along the route the streets were lined
with dense crowds eager to see the
AMERICANS. Women waved their hand
kerchiefs and miniature flags, anu
there was continuous shouting Of
"Vive Lei Americans"