Concerning the current debate about the relationship between the music
of Gottschalk and that of Joplin: for what it's worth, here is a small
contribution.

Many years ago I bought a small early keywind musical box by Lecoultre
made for the American trade; from later research I found that it was
made in 1855.  It contains six airs: Bamboula danse de Negres, American
Polka, Don't be foolish Joe, Karry (sic) me back to Old (Virginny), The
Arabian Polka and The Lily of the Valley.  Most of these tunes are from
the late 1840s.

I am led to understand that Louis Moreau Gottschalk toured Switzerland
(among other places) in 1851 and it is implied thereby that this is how
his tune Bamboula managed to get into the musical box repertoire at
that early date.  It certainly is distinctive, especially when played
along with polkas, folk songs and hymns as on this box.

Olin Tillotson