Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1905-07-13
BODY COMING HOME.
Remains Of John Paul Jones Dc
uvsred to United States Navy.
An OCCASION WITHOUT PARALLEL.
the Ceremony Was Attended by the
Highest Dignitaries Of France
ana representatives Of Many
Foreian Governments.

Automatic representatives Of many for
elm governments and civil and naval
oSicials of the United States. the body
of Admiral John Paul Jones was
Thursday formally delivered to the
United States government. The cere-
mony was one combining impressive
dignity with brilliant military and
naval pomp in which the soldiers ana
sailors Of France and the sailors OF
America united in rendering honors to
the illustrious founder Of the Ameri-
can navy.
The occasion was unique and prob
ably without parallel as the funeral
was that Of q revolutionary hero who
had lain neglected in foreign grave
for over a hundred years. \
seldom has an event awakened such
widespread interest In the French cap
ital. Dense throngs packed. the
Champs Elysees and other principal
thoroughfares to witness the imposing
cortege which for the elaboratness OF
its military feature equalled the mar
tial display on the occasion OF the
visit Of King Alfonso.
The ceremony Of delivering the body
was in the American church on the
Avenue de YAlma at $3.50 o'clock IN
the afternoon. The INNER portion OF
this Gothic edifice was beautifully dec
GRATED with plants and flowers. At the
foot of the chancel rested the casket
wrapped In an American flag and lit
orally buried in masses of floral en-
blems. The French government had
taken charge of the arrangements and
hussiers Of the foreign office, Wearing
impressive silver chains, acted as ush-
ers.
At the right Of the altar sat Ambas-
sador Mccormick, senior special Am
bassador Porter, Junior Special Am
bassador LOOMS, United States Sen
ator Henry Cabot Lodge, Rear Admir-
al Slgsbee and other officers Of the
American squadron. Across the aisle
sat Premier Rouvier with other mem
bers of his cabinet, practically the en-
tire diplomatic corps and oficers 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 Mt
ting background to the imposing scene
After brief religious services Gen, Por-
ter, wearing evening dress 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 de-
livered the body to Mr.. LOOMS as the
representative of the United States
government, WHO accepted 1t In the
name OF the government and commits
stoned Admiral Sigsbee to transport
1t to the United States. a.
As the surpliced choir took up my
Country IT'S Of Thee" the entire a.
semDIage rose and Joined in the strains
Of the patriotic hymn. Eight brawny
sailors from the Brooklyn then step
ped forward and raising the casket on
their shoulders bore It slowly from the
church to the waiting gun carriage,
This was draped with the national coll
ors and was drawn by six black horses.
The cortege was now formed and pro-
ceeded along the Avenue rAlma, the
Champs Elysees, across the Alexander
bridge to the Esplanade des Invalids.
Republican guards lined each side Of
the avenues, holding back the dense
throngs, while all the converging
streets were closed by barriers to pre-
vent a crush.
Heading the procession came a squad
ron Of cuirassiers, stretching from
curb to curb, with division of in
fantry under Gen. Frey. After them
rumbled the gun calsson bearing the
flower-laden coffin with guards of
American sailors on either side. Back
Of the coffin was a long line Of dis
tlnguished officials headed by Ambas-
sador Mccormick, Special Ambassador
Porter and Loomis Premier Rouvier
and his cabinet, the foreign ambassa-
doris and French generals and admirals
all walking. according to the French
custom. The appearance Of the detach-
ment of 500 American sailors and ma
rines was the signal for enthusiasm all
along the line. Last came another
French division composed Of infantry,
cavalry and artillery.
Arriving at the Esplanade des In
valides an imposing picture was pre-
scented. The French government had
erected a large pavilion in which to
deposit the CONN. The pavilion was
richly hung with crimson velvet with
martial emblems and battle axes, en-
twined flags and row Of grass field
pieces along the front Nearby rose
the gilded dome Of the tomb Of Ma
poleon.
The casket was deposited In the cen.
ter Of the pavilion while the cortege
passed, rendering military honors.
Later II was born to the Invalldes rail-
road station and placed In a funeral
car. where, guarded by French and
American Sailors Il started for Cher