Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-10-22
The Marine Band
History of Uncle Sans Famous
Musical Organization.
STARTED BY A KIDNAPPING.

Tradition Says That the Original Band
Was Spirited Away From Sunny
Sicily by Captain Mcneil of the
American Frieate Boston.
One of the best known and most
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, it 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 a regimental
band play so tunefully that the bluff
old seadOg became INSPIRED. The in
SEPARATION 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
orga niZation was on board the frigate
with its 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 Hcnder-
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 10y President John
Adams on July Il. 179S. This law
provided for a drum and fife corps
consisting of sixteen drummers and
sixteen fifers. one Of whom should act
IS fife major This constituted the
Marine band until the arrival Of the
NeapoIitans. 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. II. 1915.
when J. /. Clubb. Of the slOOp LeXing-
ton. was regularly appointed and
served until 1924. He was succeeded
by Eutine Friquet. who served until
Oct. %. 1880, when Francis ScheniG
was appointed. serving until Sept. Do
1913. Schenig was relieved by Francis
Scala. who served until 1913 and again
from 1854 until Dec. -. 1871.
1t was under Scala's leadership that
the band first became famous. He in
augurated the open air 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 reorga7ize il as 2
band with principal musician and
thirty members. On July -. 1861
President Lincoln affixed his signature
to law that recognized the first band
: as part of the military service OF tbs
United States.
Sea Ia retired in 1871 after haVinI
i served in the band nearly thirty years
twenty-five Of which be was its leader
He was succeeded by Henry Fries
who served until Aug %. 1873 Louil
Schneider was appointed Sept 2. 1879
serving until Oct. %. 1880 On Oct
30. 1880. John Philip Sousa was choseI
leader SOusa had formerly been ;
member of the band, as had his father