The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1911-09-07

History Of Uncle Sans Famous
Musical Organization.
STARTED BY A KIDNAPPING.

Tradition Says That she Original Band
Was Spirited Away From Sunny
Sicily by Captain Mcneil of the
American Frigate Boston.
One Of the best known and most
popular musical organizations in this
country Is the United States Marine
band. 1t is always selected to furnish
the music at important government
functions. such as inaugural balls and
receptions at the White House, and is
always assigned the post of honor in
notable parades. Indeed, 1t Is the
ablest and most famous military band
In the country.
There is an interesting tradition that
the original Marine band was kidnap-
ed from the sunny slopes OF Sicily.
The story goes that one Captain. Nc
Neil of the American frigate Boston
was cruising in the Mediterranean,
when his soul yearned for the sound
of real music, an art that had been
little developed In this young republic
When ashore he heard q regimental
band play so tunefully that the BLUM
old seadog became inspired. The in
spiration was promptly put into execu-
ton. In his suavest manner be In
vited the Sicilians aboard his ship to
play for "a ball." The invitation was
accepted with alacrity. induced no
doubt by the prospect Of American
gold.
A few nights afterward the entire
organization was on board the frigate
with it's Instruments when the captain
suddenly found 1. expedient to return
to the United States. So 1t was up
anchor and away before the aston
ished Sicilians could protest. There Is
no authentic record of what became
Of this band Of italian musicians, as
many of the marine corps archive0
were destroyed In 1914.
The official records do show, how
ever, that shortly after the marine
corps was organized, probably In 1901.
Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Gender
son brought from Naples a group Of
thirteen Italian musicians. which was
the inception of the organization as
an instrumental band.
An act to establish a marine corps
was approved by President John
Adams on July II. 1898. This law
provided for drum and fife corps
consisting of sixteen drummers and
sixteen fifers, one of whom should act
az fife major. This constituted the
Marine band until the arrival Of the
Neapolitans. about three years later.
For several years the band had NO
special leader. First one member and
then another acted as fife major. This
practice continued until Aug. IA. 1915.
when J. L. Club. of the sloop Lexing-
ton. was regularly appointed and
served until 1924. He was succeeded
by Eutine Friquet. who served until
Oct. 20, 1880, when Francis, Schenig
was appointed. serving until Sept. p.
1s4s. Schenig was relieved by Francis
Scala, who served until 1S48 and again
from 1854 until Dec 13, 1871.
It was under Scala's leadership that
the band first became famous. He in
augurated the open ir concerts at the
White House and the capitol grounds.
for which congress allowed extra com
pensation In 1856. These concerts
grew In such favor that steps were
undertaken to improve the organiza-
ton, which was still officially known
as a fife and drum corps. Legislation
was obtained to reorganize 1t as a
Iband, with a principal musician and
thirty members. On July 25. 1861.
president Lincoln affixed his signature
to law that recognized the first band
as part of the military service OF the
United States.
Scala retired in 1871 after having
served in the band nearly thirty years,
tw6nty-two OF which he was its leader.
He was succeeded by Henry fries,
who served until Aug %, 1873. Louis
Schneider was appointed Sept. ?. 1873.
serving until Oct. 20. 1880. On Oct.
80, 1880, John Philip Sousa was chosen
leader. Sousa had formerly been 4
member Of the band, as had his father.
The elder Sousa enlisted in 1861 under
the name of Suacca, but upon re-en-
iistment he gave the name OF Sonsa.
which he continued to use thereafter.
! Sousa left the service July 30. 1852,
to organize band of his own, ard
francesca Fanciulli was appointed.
He served until Oct. 8, 1897. When
his term expired heswas not reappoint'
ed, and the band was without leader
until the following March. when VII.
liam II. Santelmann was appointed.
In 1898 the band was again reorgan-
ICED. In order to bring 1t up to the
standing to which 1t was entitled as
the leading military band OF this coun-
try law was passed, which President
Mckinley signed March 3, 1893, In
creasing the band to seventy three
members, consisting of leader with
the pay and allowance of first lieu.
tenant OF the marine corps, second
leader at $75 month and allowances
thirty first class musicians at $50
thirty second class musicians at $50
ten privates and d drum major. The
members are enlisted for four years.
John r. Coy IN Washington Star.