Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 37, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 April 1905 — PAUL JONES’ BODY FOUND. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

PAUL JONES’ BODY FOUND.

Moved from Paris Cemetery Where It Was Burled in 1702. The body of Paul Jones, the famous admiral of the American revolution, buried lu the old St. Louis cemetery in Paris more than a hundred years ago, lias been found, after a search lasting for five years. The body will be brought to the United States by an American Warship, possibly the flagehip of the European sciuadron. Paul Jones died in poverty and neglect In. Paris on July 18, 1792. All record of his burial place was lost years ago. General Horace Porter, the American ambassador, began a search for the body five years ago. After many false clews it seemed certain that the famous admiral had been buried in the old cemetery of St. Louis, a square of ground long since covered with buildings. General Porter employed a large spree of workmen and tunneled and cross tunneled beneath the basements of the buildings. The body was found to be well preserved, owing to its be-

ing immersed in alcohol. It was wrapped In a sheet, with a packing of straw and hay. All present were immediately struck by the resemblanc of the head to that on the medalions and busts of the admiral. As was anticipated, no uniform, decoration, or sword was found, as all such articles had been accounted for after the burial. Paul Jones (his real name was John Paul) was of Scotch birth, but he made his home in Virginia when 12 years old. He entered the revolutionary navy as a lieutenant on Dee. 22, 1775. In command of the sloop Providence, and later of the Alfred, he captured niany British merchantmen along the coast from Cape Breton to the Barbados. In November, 1777. Jones sailed for Europe on the Ranger, harassed the coasting trade of Scotland, attacked the town of Whitehaven. Ilis crew plundered the house of Lord Selkirk, but Jones bought the silver plate and restored it to Lord Selkirk. After capturing the British sloop Drake and taking it to Brest, Jones found himself witlicmt a ship, the Ranger being ordered home. France gave him a fleet of five vessels. He rechristened his flagship the Bon Homme Richard. The battle between the Bon Homme Richard and the British frigate Serapis is historic in naval annals. Jones captured the Serapis with its fifty guns and 320 men. “King Louis iXVI. of France presented Jones with a sword of honor. Congress voted him a gold medal.

JOHN PAUL JONES.