Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-18
PROGRAM is CARRIED OUT
Memorial Dedicated in Potomac
Park Despite Rainy Weather.
RECALLS HISTORY OF LIZ
Former Ambassador to France Also
Explains Finding Of
the Body.


the memorial to John Paul Jones in Po-
tomac Park late yesterday afternoon was
faithfully observed. in spite Of the rain
storm which prevailed throughout the
ceremonies
President Taft and Gen. Horace Porter
were the only speakers. George Won l..
Meyer, Secretary of the Navy, presided,
and Admiral Dewey pulled the cords that
released the flags about the heroic figure.
President Taft in his address said it
was fortunate for the navy that it had
such a hero to furnish the spirit to those
who now made up its membership.
The battle in which he had to take the
deck OF his antagonist to win the victory.
as his own ship went down." said the
President, will always stand out in the
history OF naval warfare as the greatest
example OF a victory won by the indi-
vidual bravery and indomitable courage
OF a commander that has been known to
the world
Eulogizes Naval Hero.
Gen. Porter. former ambassador te
France. whose long efforts here. an6
abroad led to the final discovery of the
BODY OF the hero and its removal from
Paris to this country, said in part:
The life Of John Paul Jones presents
q series OF such singular contrasts and
strange vfcissitudes that history sur.
rounds him with an interest that at.
taches to but few of the worlds celebri.
ties. His rise from the humble masters
apprentice to the command Of conquering
sQuadrons. his transition from the low.
born peasant boy to the favorite Of imperia
courts, crouching at times within the
shadow of obscurity. at other times
standing on the highest pinnacle Of fame
now the ragged sailor striving des-
perately against overwhelming odds a,
sea; again the accomplished courtfer ar.
rayed in the height Of fashion, display
ing an easy manner and marked eIe-
gance In the brilliant salons Of the most
polite courts of Europe, replying grace
fully to compliments Of kings and princes
in English. French and Spanish; showins
that he could tread the polished floor OF
a royal palace as becomingly as the
blood-stained deck of ;nan-of-war
marvellous career that fascinate the
minds OF all who make study of his life
He is the only commander in history
who ever landed an American force upon
European coast. He enjoyed the unique
distinction of being the first to hoist the
present form Of our flag upon an Ameri-
can man-of-war, the first to receive a
salute to 1t from a foreign power the
first to raise 1t upon hostile warship of
superior strength captured in battle, and
under his command that banner was
never once dethroned from its p6oud SUI
premacy.
Worn out by the faugues of arduous
service, at the untimely age Of forty-five
years. alone in a foreign land, he surren-
dered to death, the only foe to whom he
ever lowered his colors.
Tells Of Finding Body.
There was authentic documentary
proof that the corpse had been placed in
leaden coffin. When the body was ex-
humed 1t was fortunately found perfectly
preserved. with all the flesh intact. in
consequence Of having been buried in
such a coffin filled with alcohol-the usual
method Of embalming in those days.
There now took place one Of the most
scientific. painstaking and conscientious
examinations conceivable. which resulted
in placing. beyond any possibility of
doubt. the Identification Of the body sub
mitted. Among the convincing points OF
evidence may be mentioned:
THE finding Of the body in the place
where authentic documents described il
as having been buried in leaden coffin
The striking resemblance of the fea-
lures to those of the medal by Dupre
voted by Congress and executed under
the personal supervision of Paul Jones
in Paris.
THE perfect agreement Of measure
ments with those OF the Trocadero copy
of the well known life-size bust Of Paul
Jones by Houdon. which Jefferson, Madi-
son and Sherburne pronounced an exact
likeness.
"A photograph of the head Of the
corpse. and of the Houdon bust made
upon the same scale and on transparent
paper which, when placed one upon the
other. showed a perfect coincidence OF
the contours of the face. the line OF
demarcation of the hair, etc.
THE de Boron bust, believed to be the
work also OF Houdon. was submitted but
not used, for comparative measurements,
as 1t was less than life size.
Length Of Body the Same.
1.-The length of the body, agreeing with
the admirars stature.
THE linen shirt found upon it of fine
workmanship. with plaits and ruffles,
corresponding to the admiraps fondness
for elegance in dress. There was moth
ing else in the coffin except the hay and
straw packing and q roud. consisting of
a winding sheet, verifying the description
that the admiral was buried in a shroud
without uniform or trappings of any
kind
"A peculiar formation of the ear tden-
tical with that on the bust.
THE color Of the hair and manner of
wearing il, combed back and curled in
rolls on the temples, such as Is seen on