The Washington times., 1903-04-26
FRANCIS SCALA, DIRECTOR OF FAMOUS
MARINE BAND FOR THIRTY YEARS

before her majesty Queen Victoria and
became well liked by the English"
1t was this dirge which was played at
the funeral Of the composer Wednesday
Concerning the tradition that the
Prince OF Wales planted a tree at Mount
Vernon. which IS stiu Hourishing there.
MIR. Scala said:
The story that the prince planted a
tree is not so. I was standing near and
saw ali that was done. A hole was dug
in the ground and to the prince were
handed several chestnuts which he threw
into The hole These chestnuts were a
failure. for they never sprouted. There
is no tree at Mount Vernon planted by
the Prince of Wales"
Mr. Scala then told of the prepara-
tions for the civil war and described
many OF the stirring scenes of the time.
Concerning President Lincoln he said:
Gained Lincoln's Friendship.
y always recall President Lincoln
with affection He was so plain and
homeIy in his way He was fond of
music and was a great friend Of the
band. The night he arrived IL Wash
ington the band serenaded him. I can
see him now as he stood at the window
in the National Hotel from which he
addressed the great, surging crowd IN
the street below. The next day We
played in the inaugural parade. and la
ter played on the portico of the Capt.
tOl. The band by this time had grown
TO membership OF twenty-five They
were. however, still enlisted as ffers
and drummers. Under this Administra-
tion We also often played at the White
House. and soon gained the friendship
of Lincoln There were social affairs
enough. despite the preparations for
war When the lighting came they end
ed, hut there were some official recep-
tions. Hundreds of times have I seen
the White House crowded with weeping
women asking favors for some relative
in the army or navy.
There was not much red tape about
Mr.. Lincoln. Anybody could approach
him. Robert Lincoln was a friend OF
mine His little brother Tad was q
boy very similar to President Roose-
yelt's son Archie. He was romping
about the White House at all hours l
viii never forget the sensation created
by him when he smashed one Of the big
chandelers while playing ball. He was
in disgrace for several days, and ball
playing in the White House ceased. for
that Administration anyway.
1T was about this time that Prest-
er had followed me to this country and
had served through the Mexican war
with much credit When the civil war
broke out he enlisted in California
regiment There was a vacancy for d
lieutenant. and I tried to get it for my
brother When the President saw me
sitting among the visitors in the re-
ception room he asked; What are you
doing here, Scala? I told him about my
brother. and. taking card out of his
pocket. he wrote on it an order for my
brother 10 be promoted TO the lieu
tenancy / sent the card to my brother.
who pu. it in his pocket as souvenir.
and served through the war as a pri
vate-"
Bouquets From Mrs. Johnson.
Concerning President and Mrs. John
son. he said that both were patrons Of
the organization and had helped it.
Every time the band played at the
White House. Mr. Scala said Mrs.
johnson sent me a bouquet. In return
composed and dedicated march to
her.
of all my work, the composition
liked best was the grand march I pre-
pared for the inaugural ball OF the
Administration Of General Grant. This
was q brilliant piece of work. if I do
say so myself. General and Mrs Grant
were highly pleased with it, but 7 re
.ceived nothing for it"
This was the last composition Of
Scala as a Government bandmaster- For
some reason, which he did not explain.
his enemies determined to Gus. him
from the leadership. He said an attempt
was made to reduce nim from the
leadership 10 first musician, but rather
than bow 10 the humiliation he obtain
ed his discharge and LEFT the service
in December, 1871. From that time un-
til the solemn burial services at the
lived quietly IN Washington OF those
who joined the band with him not one
is alive. though there are several still
serving who entered the service while
he was the leader Of the organization.