The St. Charles herald. [volume] (Hahnville, La.) 1873-1993, 1922-12-09
WHO WAS JOHN PAUL JONEs7
c0oY2MW ~ NE 2


A VISIT to the United States Naval
"A academy, at Annapolis, Nd, will
almost certainly include at least mo-
ment's pause before the magnihcent
crypt where lies what are supposed
to be the remains of the first and one
of the greatest Of Americas naval
heroes-John Paul Jones. But an ex-
animation Of the facts in the case Will
show that there is as much doubt as
TO whether this is really the body OF
the American commander as there Is
about the true identity of this person
age. whose career from birth to death
ia one of the unsolved riddles OF the
Revolutionary war.
In the first place, Jones was not
the real name Of this hero, but one
adopted by him in later years. He
was born with the name John Paur'
and there is much doubt as to whether
he was the true or the adopted son OF
the Scotch gardener In whose cottage
he spent the first II years Of his life.
Crawford, author of 1.-The Sailor
Whom England Feared" and one OF the
leading authorities on the life OF John
Paul Jones, admits that mystery sur
rounded his origin with an impenetra-
BILE veil" and that he encountered great
difficulties in his efforts to sift the
false from the true, the legend from
the facts. The generally accepted
story Is that John Paul was born in
the little village Of Arbigland and
that his father was a poor man, half
gardener and half fisherman, while his
mother was of pure Highland stock.
But Crawford expresses more than
doubt that the Pauls were really the
boys parents, but has been unable to
delve further into the mystery.
John Paul's brother was adopted by
q Virginia planter by the name OF
Jones and, when this planter died he
| left his estate to his adopted son upon
condition that he take the same name.
The brother, in turn, died shortly after
ward, willing the property to John
Paul upon the same condition. Thus
John Paul became John Paul Jones,
the name by which he is known and
revered.
When, after his memorable naval
exploits, John Paul Jones finally died
In France his death was practically
unnoticed in America and the only
record of the place of his burial was
that left by friend, for use, as he
said. eff America should ever wish to
perform her duty to the one to whom
she owed the most"
Whether this memorandum of the
grave was correct Is matter which
! caused much discussion about CEN
! fury afterward when Gen. Horace Por-
ter. American ambassador to France,
discovered after long search what
was alleged to be the body Of John
Paul Jones, exceptionally well pre-
served in a leaden casket filled with
alcohol. The measurements OF the
body compared exactly with those In
the possession Of the Navy department
at washington, but the total absence
OF other distinguishing marks raised q
doubt as to the real identity OF the
body-though United States officials
agreed to treat 1t as If it were the rea
remains of the naval hero.
i A squadron was sent to France tt
escort the body home and France pait
great official honor to the man who
a century before, had fought with dis
tinction under many flags. When thu
casket finally reached the Unitet
States it was received with mucl
pomp and ceremony and conducted t
the cradle of the American navy a
Annapolis-where it remained In oh
scurity under a fight of steps TO
many months awaiting the completion
, Of its final resting place.
But there is doubt in the minds 0
MANY as to whether this is actuall
the body of the famous commander o
; the bon Homme Richard just q
there will always be a mystery SUI
rounding the actual identity OF tn
man who commenced life as Jon
Paul. the son Of Scotch gardener.