Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-04-22
Houdin's Bust of John Paul Jones.

Houdin's Bust Of John Paul Jones.
ization Of the intrepid little sea fighter as
1.-The notorious American pirate" To the
English. it is declared, Gen. Washington
long was. and to many of them is, the
great American traitor" But if such char
acterization holds, this country could do
with few more traitors and pirates of the
same brand. The sailor who, with rotten
ship, contributed by the charity of French
king. made the record fight of sea history
against one of the best equipped vessels
of the British navy and who in a cruise
of four months captured sixteen prizes and
ravaged a million dollars worth Of prop
erty on the English coast. might well be
looked upon as a DOGGY by the homestaying
English, but he ought to be canonized as
the man who forced the united Kingdom
to Systematically take up her present plans
Of coast defense.
The two remaining theories OF John Paurs
change of name are more worthy of consid-
GRAFTON. One is to the effect that he took
the name Jones in testamentary succession
to William Paul, brother who left him
some estates on the Rappahannock, and
that this brother had in turn taken the
name OF Jones in testamentary succession
to one William Jones, childless old man
by whom the estates were beuueathed to
him.
Sustained by Documentary Evidence,
The third theory. which is said to be bet
ter sustained by documentary evidence than
the others, Is that John Paul took the
name Of Jones out of respect to a family
IN South Carolina, one of the most distin-
guished In the state at that time. who had
befriended him when he came to. this coun-
try pennless and unknown
John Paul was born near Aberdeen. Scot
land, In 1149. His parents were of the
humbiest class, his father being gardener
At the age of twelve years he went to sea
and had sailed over the world before he
attained his majority. He was at one time
the mate of SLAYER, legitimate traffic in
those days. But the trade so disguised
him that he gave 1t up after one voyage
and never returned to It. But he had ac-
CURED in his wandertngs a perfect knowJ-
eoge OF practical seamanship and 1t was
apparent when the test occurred that he
had the Inherent qualities of a fighter ana
of a commander of men,
John Paul appeared in America in 1771
his brother, who had preceded him here by
severai years, being well-to-do planter in
Virginia. The newcomer did NOT turn ~
his relatives, however. but landed in South
Carolina, where he became a warm friend
of the family Of Jones, Of whom Gov. Willie
Jones and his brother, Allen. were then in
their prime. These men were wealthy high
In the politics Of the colony, and. when
the revolution developed, they took a prom
inent part in the struggle, as their social
station and personal qualities fitted them
to do.
1t was at their two homes, the Grove and
Mount Gallant that Jones was Hospitality
entertained He was a penniless young
sailor, but there must have been something
inherently attractive about him. for he be-
came intimate of the family Willie
Jones evidently knew true man when he
met one. and he helped young John Paul
In many ways. The rich library of the
home was thrown open to him, and as
Libraries were more of a rarity In those
days than now, young Jones had an un-
usual opportunity to read his fill. He avail
ed himself of the privilege, and said after
ward that much Of his reading was In that
well-stocked library at the Grove.
Assisted In Material Way.
Willie Jones assisted in more material
ways. He knew the visitors experience In
seamanship, and when the revolution was
well under way had little trouble in Sc
curing for John Paul q commission from
Joseph Hewes. practically the first Secre-
tary OF the Navy. The commission was
only that of a lieutenant, but Jones was in
his element with it, and after serving I'M
der Admiral Hopkins In the abortive ex-
petition to New Providence he succeeded
to his first Independent command In the
little converted schooner Providence, with
which he made his first noted cruise to the
English coast In 1775.
The naval career OF John Paul Jones'
once he was afoat under tho American flag.
is a matter of national history. The period
OF his life with the Jones family Is not SO
familiar. Willie Jones helped him when
his brother William Paul died In 1878, and
went on his bond for 500 pounds as the
executor of the estate. 1t was the revenue
from this estate that furnished John Paul
Jones with the little money on which he
was able to live. for he, In common with
many of those who served the American
government in the early days, received
little except thanks In return. In fact,
after the world famous fight with the
mi Ia if1 of ETqn fad