The morning times., 1896-01-19
SCALA'S GLORIOUS past
FavOrite of Many Famous Men
at the Nations Capital.
PRESIDENTS HIS FRIENDS
For More Than n Quarter of IA Century
Leader of the Renowned Marine
Band-England'S Future King
Danced TO His Music-Murch King
Sousa Was His Apprentice.

Grizzled, but stnl vigorous in spite Ct his
coy home on South Carolina avenue yes
terday and chattcd OF famous men and
incidents of a period among the most his
tOric in the history OF this country. Scala
was leader OF the famous Marine Baud
for over "A quarter OF Il century, and Sen
ator German has Il bin before the United
States Senate TO place the venerable mu-
sician upon the retired list with the pay
and privileges OF a bardmaster.
Scala's was Il name famous throughout
this country aud in all the capitals Uf the
civilized word when John Philip sOusa
was an unknown apprentice lad undsr
Scala. The old musician has enjoyed the
friendship of many of the national Crlebri-
ties of the country, and Albert Edward OF
Wales, the future King OF England, danced
to the measures of the bapdsman when
Queen NiCtOria's eldest sou was here Ill
1860.
Scala treasures as priceless souvenirs
autographic notes written by Lincoln to
the band leader, and lie has many other
pcnued lines, which he had received from
other famous men of Iutc-bellum and war
times.
Lincoln's old-tine rival, Stephen A.
Douglas, was Il particularly warm friend
of the Marine Band chief, and Scala sim
fondIy remembers Clay, Wets:er, Calhoun
and Benton. Seward, who was an ardent
lover of music, was an admirer ard friend
of Scala. The band leader was acquainted
with almost all the noted soldiers and sailors
of both the Mexican and civil wars. Many
OF his marches a nj other compositions which
were whistled throughout this country
more than a quarter of century ago
were dedicated to famous men ana women.
In honor of the marriage Of Senator
Douglas, Scala composed a bridal schot-
tische which was played at the wedding OF
the Little Giant" 1t was dedicated to
Mrs. Douglas and at once became i'm
mensely popular.
NEVER RECEIVED \ PENNY.
Scores OF others Of his musical creations
were welcomed with popular applause,
still he never received Il penny from the
publishers as a reward for his work. As
Scala recalled the most important achieve
mentS of his musical career, nc hummed over
the old airs, and then he had one OF his
daughters play again the superb march
which he composed for the inaugural ball
OF Gen. Grant at the beginning of Grant 5
first administration.
Then the veteran told the story of his
services as 4 member OF the famous band
in 4 modest manner. His eyes sparklcd as
he tho gh, Of some Of the happiest incidents
in his career.
Il was about twenty years Old he said,
when / went aboard the old Brandy wine
OF the Mediterranean fleet in 1871 and
enlisted as 4 third-class musician. The
vessel lay in the beautiful Bay OF Naples
in front Of my native city. My family had
rot been 4 musical one. but ! had loved
music and had been trained at the musical
college in Naples.
Il spoke no English, but the executive
officer OF the Brandywine spoke Italian
like native, and l was soon playing the
Clarionet'e in the band On the Brandy " inc.
| had only been one month on the mIn-of-
war. when the executive officer told me
that he would place me in charge of the
band. and If at the end of a voyage the
band showed an improvement in its play-
ing / would be retained us its leader. l
played all the solos at sight. and the band
did so well that. although only youth,
was appointed bandmaSter.
THAT winter following we spent at Port
Mahan in the Mediterranean, and then
went to Gibraltar. Then we started for
America. That was when my sufferings
began. For two weeks / was so seasick
that | was unable TO blow note on my
clarionette. ! prayed that l should die,
/ had such horror OF the sea.
Finally we reached Norfolk. I was de-
termined that l should never again go near
salt water and soon secured my discharge
not having been n year in the Navy. The
band-ma stcrship OF the famous old three
decker. Pennsylvania, was offered to me
| was a mighty good musician they say. but
l knew l was such poor sailor that re-
fused the leadership. Then ! was asked to
become bandmaster in the Army, TO be
stationed at Fortress Monroe. l was about
to accept it, but then ! looked at the salt
water all around thefort and declined the po-
sition.
EIGHT DOLLARS \ MONTH.
81 journeyed up the Chesapeake TO Ralti-
more and came here to Washington. ditln t
have much money, as my nay in the band
had been the muniricent sum of IS Il month
and one ration. Soon secured n place in
the Marine Rand. IL wasn't much of IN or
EaniZatjon then. Congress had made no pro-
vision or the band so that the ten or twelve
members were enlisted as filters and
drummcrs, there being twc leaders, fife
MAJ jor and Il drum ma tor.
The leaders received SIG month ea ch
and rations. John Tyler was President
when, in 1872, | became the lsader OF the
band. 1t wa small reed affair then. Wehad
one flute. one Clarionettc, one French horn,
| twotrombOncs, bUgle, one bascdrum, one
small drum. and one cymbal player.
THE nations represented in the band s
| make-ap Were America. England. G"rmany.
| Spain, Italy and Austria. Why, the base
! drummer couldn't read music, and while
| led the band with my claronctts directed
the drummer by stamping my feet. hadn
been leader of the band long before the most
| thrilling event in my career happened. That
was the explosion on the Princeton on the
Potomac when Tylcr's Secretary OF War
| and others were slaughtered by the bursting
| OF big gun.
The little band had been playing near the
| gun when we were called below for lunch.
| Just as we reached the over deck there was
| a frightful explosion, and the e great gun came
crashing through the hatchway. When we
| rushed on the upper deck q terrible scene