New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1911-09-13
THE MARINE BAND
History Of Uncle Sans Famous
Musical Organization.
STARTED BY A KIDNAPPING.

SIAhIEU 81 4 klUWAFlNl
Tradition Says That the Original Ban
Was Spirited Away From Sum
Sicily by Captain Mcneil Of tn
American Frigate Boston.
One Of the best known and mos
popular musical organizations in thi
country is the United States Marin
band. It is always selected to furnis
the music at important government
functions. such as inaugural balls an
receptions at the White House. and /
always assigned the post OF honor ii
notable parades. Indeed, it IS tn,
ablest and most famous military ban.
in the country.
There is an interesting tradition tina
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 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 he III
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 it expedient to return
to the United States. So it 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 archives
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 Hender-
son brought from Naples 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 a drum and fife corps
Of sixteen drummers and
sixteen ffers, one Of whom should act
~ fife major. This constituted the
Marine band until the arrival Of the
about three years later.
For several years the band had no
special leader. First one member and
hen another acted as f&fe major. This
practice continued until Aug. IA, 1915,
when ]. L. Club, Of the sloop Lexing-
on, was regularly appointed and
'erved until 1924. He was succeeded
~ Eutine Friquet. who served until
Oct. 20. 1880. when Francis Schenig |
vas appointed, serving until Sept. %.
[S43. Schenig was relieved by Francis
Scala, who served until 1S49 and again |
rom 1854 until Dec. 10, 1871.
It was under Scala's leadership that !
he band first became famous. he in |
the open air concerts at the |
White House and the capitol grounds.
Tor which congress allowed extra CON-
pensation in 1856. These concerts |
grew in such favor that steps were
to improve the organiza-
ion, which was still officially known
Is fife and drum corps. Legislation
vas obtained to reorganize it as
oand. with principal musician and
thirty members. On July Is, 1861,
President Lincoln affixed his signature
% law that recognized the first band
IS part of the military service of the
United States.
Scala retired in 1871 after having
served in the band nearly thirty years,
Of which he was it's leader.
BE was succeeded by Henry Fries,
who served until Aug %. 1873. Louis
Schneider was appointed Sept. 2. 1873,
serving until Oct. %. 1880. On Oct.
30, 1880, John Philip Sousa was chosen
eader. Sousa had formerly been
member of the band, as had his father.
The elder Sousa enlisted in 1861 under
he name of Suacca. but upon re-en-
istment he gave the name Of Sousa.
which he continued to use thereafter.
Sousa left the service July 30, 1892,
o organize a band Of his own, and
francesca Fanciulli was appointed
lie served until Oct. 3, 1897. When
lis term expired he was not reappoint-
d, and the band was without leader
Until the following March, when Will
lam II. Santelmann was appointed.
In 1898 the band was again reorgan-
zed. In order to bring it up to the
tanding to which it was entitled as
he leading military band Of this coun-
~ law was passed, which President
Mckinley signed March 3, 1898, in
ocfr 1,1