Before coming to American John Paul was a captain of a Scottish merchant ship. One day on board the ship, a fight took place among the sailors. To stop the row, John Paul, for that was his name, killed one of the men. That made about half of the sailors aboard ship mad with him. He sailed for home, resigned his commission as captain and set out for America.

His early whereabouts in this country are not well known. One day during his wandering he came to Halifax, North Carolina, and met up with Willie Jones, a wealthy citizen of that town, and a great patriot.

The story of their meeting has been told in story form. One morning, Willie Jones came from his home, The Groves, on the edge of town, and saw sitting on a bench in front of the Eagle Hotel a stranger.

"What is your name, sir?"  inquired Jones.

"I have none," the stranger replied.

"Where is your home?" continued Jones.

"I have none!" stated John Paul.

Willie Jones became very interested in the man and invited him to his home. John Paul and Willie Jones became great friends, and John Paul, who was glad to find such a friend, remained in Halifax for several months, most of the time at The Groves. Upon leaving Halifax he adopted the name "Jones" and has forever more been known as John Paul Jones.

Thought for the day: Blessed is the man who expects nothing for he shall never be disappointed.