The morning times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1897, 1896-07-19

GREW FROM A PRESS GANG
Tradition of the Origin of the
Marine Band.
KIDNAPPED THE ITALIANS
Brought to This Country in a Man.
O'-War and Then Concluded to
Stay-The Public Concerts.
KIDNAPPED THEITALIANS

There Is only one Marine Band, and 1t
belongs to Washington-that is, IL Is d
part and parcel OF the Federal establish
ment, and as such the Capital City can
claim it, By the same token SO can the
rest OF the country; but the fact remains
that Washington alone enjoys the musical
feasts it affords three times a week when
the weather permits.
The history OF the Marine Band and its
Open-alr concerts is interesting. II is
clothed in romance and mystery, and as
far as can he learned its centennial ami
versary is not FAR distant. Our national
band found its nucleus in thirteen foreign
musicians literally stolen from their native
shores of Sicily.
Cooper. the naval historian Guys: 1.-THE
eCcentrcities Of capt. Mcneil have be-
come traditional in the service. While
at Sicily in command OF the Boston in
1901, band belonging to one ps the Iegi-
meDts Quartered at Messna, vase 4. aboard
the ship, and he brought the music,ens to
America, it is said, without their .';DS,ht."
There is traditional story ::5O 1t tine
bands ongin, told by an old WasiIias.m'ian,
to the effect that eighty Or nintty Gears
ago an American man-of war cruising on
the coast Of Italy received orders to pro-
coed to Nice. HaviDgno band on board and
anticipating lively social season, the COM
mander hit upon a move plan to secure the
much coveted music. He sent enc of the
most reckless officers ashore in command OF
trusty boats crew, with orders to impress
as American seamen, the first strolling band
ofmusicians they might come across. These
orders were carried out, and they brought
their strollipg band to Washington at the
terminationof the cruise, and these musicians
are the necleus of the now famous band.
TOLD BY DESCENDANTS.
Some well known families in Washington
aredescendantso OF those usicalimmigrants.
According 1" another Washington man who
married into the family Of descendant OF
one Of the Struggled musicians they made
decided objection 10 being kept in this
country against their will. An appeal was
sent 10 the President and he at once acted;
deciding that they should be returned to
their native land.
Accordingly they were placed aboard
another man-o'war hound for the Mediter-
ranean. This was Just before the war OF
1912 with England and when the vessel
was well out To sea IL encountered 4 British
war ship. A conflict ensued in which the
Americans were victorious and were OBJ
liged 10 return to New York with their
prize. Upon its return the Italian musicians
changed their minds abou tgoing back to
fair Italia ana came on to Washington,
An examination of the records made by
Times reporter shows thirteen Italian
names on the roster of the Marine Corps,
with the inscription opposition assigned
to the band. This was soon after the war
Of 1912. The only composition OF the ma
tional band before that time was the drum
mers and filters.
The band has had in the course OF its
development several Ieaders-Carusi, an
John Philip Sousa and Prof. Fanciulli.
The Carus famiiyis well known in Washing
ton, while many of the descendants OF the
other leaders are still residents of the CAPT.
tai.
In fact. there are today several men,
bers Of the Marine band who are descen-
dants of the famous thirteen. Several are
retired from active service and others
have long ago gone TO their grave. The
original musical ability and talent per-
vades the present organization. and 1t is
that which makes the Marine B,ni the
acme Of perfection.
ORIGIN OF THE CONCERTS.
For many years the baud moved along in
the quiet tenor of barrack life and was not
known outside OF marine circles. 1t was
merely naval musical organization. The
records show that its members enlisted 10
the service of Uncle Sam aud drew nay
as privates.
Just when the first public concert wis
given the recordsdo not show. In those days
orders were not given in writing, but verb
ally. If the President desired music at q
White House reception a messenger was
sent with the order that the musicians at
the barracks play at the White House, and
accordingly they responded. 1t was in the
same way that orders were given for tie
musicians to perform at the Capitol, but
the archives are mute on the subject
On Aug ust 1S, l $50, the existence of the
Marine Band received its first official rec
ognitiou from the government. 1t had been
playing at both the White House and in
front Of the Capitol, near the Peace Monu-
ment, for some time before this. as old resi-
idents know, but on that date Congress
enacted a law as follows:
Section 1913. The marines who COM
pose the corps Of musicians known as
the Marine Band, shall be entitled to 81
q month each, in addition to their pay as
non-commissioned officers musicians or
privates OF the marine corps, as long
as they shall perform by order OF the
Secretary OF the Navy or other superior
officer, on the Capitol grounds or the
Presidents grounds"
This was the beginning OF its existence
as an organized band, separate from the
regular musicians of the corps.
Before that time, as early as 1878,