Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-10-27

go through the official round of enter
tainments without breaking down, she
herself thought her indisposition only
temporary. Mrs. Mckee and Mrs. Rus
sell Harrison had planned to give a
garden lawn party on the White house
grounds. Mrs. Harrison was enthus-
iaSticaIy in favor of it. She continued
to hold her weekly receptions for her
friends in the blue room at o'clock
1t was at one of these informal little
affairs early in April that Mrs. Harrison
felt the beginning of her illness. She
asked her friends to eXcues her, leaving
Mrs. Mckee to do the hOnorS. From
that day Mrs. Harrison was never 4
well woman. She regained in May
somewhat. then was taken that unfOr-
tunate trip down the Chesapeake on
the government Steamer-The JesSa-
mine-Which was caught in a northeast
storm and Mrs. Harrison suffered Sc
verely. Those who saw her leave the
White house that day, almost carried
in the presidents arms, had grave
doubts of her recovery. From that on
her disease seemed to progress rapidly.
When she was brought back from Fort
reSS Monroe, the true character of her
disease became apparent to her ply
sician and her intimate friends, though
1t was carefully concealed from the
public, and she was ordered to Loon
lake in the hope that the reviving in
fuenceS of the pine-laden air might
arrest the progress of the pulminary
trouble which regular night sweats and
wasting strength only too plainly indi-
Gated. It is too recent to need recapit-
ulatiOn, but the hope proved delusiye,
and, at her own request, she was car
rled back to her cheerful rooms at the
White house, there to die.
Mrs. Benjamin Harrison, is of the
same age as her husband, was born in
1888. Her father, Rev. William H
Scott, was formerly president of the
ladies' seminary in the same city where
Mama University is located. Benjamin
Harrison, who graduated from that
university, became engaged to her while
he was only Is years old and vet a
Junior, and the two We're married Oct.
10, 1858. Mrs. Harrison was both a
beautiful and bright girl. For several
years she lived in the humble way in
indianapolis made necessary by her hus-
mand's small means while vet a strug-
Cling young lawyer, but was ever a
most loving and helpful companion to
him.
Her son, Russell B., has achieved
some prominence through his newspa-
per enterprise in Montana and his con-
nectOn with Frank Leslies and Judge
He married a daughter of United States
Senator Alvin Saunders of Omaha. A
daughter Mrs. Mckee, with her little
son, the famous Baby McKee," lives
with the presidents family in the white
house.
Mrs. Harrison had, until emaciated
by disease, regular features, bright
dark eyes and abundant dark hair. Her
figure was short and somewhat stout.
She dressed well, but was never a slave
to the caprices of fashion
The Harrison residence in Indianap-
oils from which Mrs. Harrison will
soon be taken to her final resting place,
is brick structure of substantial de-
sign, with ample roof and pleasant
porch OvershadOWing the front door.
A spacious lawn spreads its green eX-
panSe along the front and side of the
house.
Another pretty account of Mrs. Har-
rison's life says: October l, 1882. the
house of Rev. John 3. WitherspOon
Scott, Presbyterian divine and pres-
dent of Oxford Ohio female college,
was made happy by the birth of Il
daughter, to whom was given the name
Of Carrie. In the course of time there
was at Oxford a student named Ben
jamin Harrison. He passed from
Farmers college into Miami university
and graduated at the age of 1S The |
young student in the midst of the prr-
suit Of learning found himself over
taken in love, and DR.. SCOTS daughter !
20, 1853, he there made Miss Carrie |
Scott his wife. The happiness of their |
lives, commencing from that date, has |
known no diminutiOn nor change until I
death came to separate them.
The prospect in life for the young !
IOuplC was IOI DIISIil, DuI TIE young j
people were full of hope. Their honey !
moon was passed under the paternal !
roof at North Bend. In the following |
March the young couple went to In |
dianapOlis. Benjamin Harrison, when |
he began his married life and the prac-
tice Of his profession, had $500 adj |
VancCd on lot in Cincinnati, inherited i
through IN aunt. Mr.. and Mrs HalTi-
son began the domestic responsibility |
in rooms in an indianapolis boarding |
house. In the summer of 1854 Mrs |
Harrison paid Il visit to her parents, !
and there on Aug. u Russell Harrison, |
the eldest child, was born.
Steady gains in fame, in practice and
pecuniary reward found Mrs. Harrison
presiding over larger and more pre-
tentiOuS house in the. course Of two !
years. Here q second and last child |
Mary Scott Harrison, was born. The |
couple steadily grew in the estimation
of their neighbors and Mr.. Harrison |
achieved fame in politics. In 1881 |
General Harrison entered the United |
States senate. Mrs Harrison became a |
mpmbp of q DISTINGUISHED circle of