Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-10-28
MRS. !. R. M'KEE
EXPIRES At HOME
Daughter of Late President
Harrison Inspired First
White House Dance.

Mrs. James Robert Mckee, only
daughter of the late former President
Benjamin Harrison and his first wife,
Caroline Scott Harrison, died early to-
day at her home in Greenwich, Conn.,,
after an illness of eight months. With
her when she died were her husband
and son and daughter.
Mrs. Mckee was formerly Miss Mary
Scott Harrison Her mother was the
first president general of the National
Society D. A. r. She had been i'll since
last February when she went to Roose-
welt Hospital in New York for an opera
ton. After several weeks she was re-
moved to the Mckee home, Berkeley
Lodge, in Greenwich. where her con-
dition fiuctuated until the end came.
A frequent visitor to Washington,
Mrs. Mckee spent a Winter here some
time ago as the guest of Mrs. Stephen
B. Elkins to presenk hsP daughter. Mrs.
Reisinger, then Miss Mary Lodge Nc
Kee. to society. Mrs. Russell B. Harri-
son, sister-in-law of Mrs. Mckee, and
the formers daughter, Mrs. Robert
Lewis Armstrong, make their homes IN
Washington. Mrs. Hobart Brooks and
Mrs. John F. Parker of this city are
cousins of the deceased woman.
Prominent Charity Worker.
Mrs. Mckee was prominent in charity
work and D. A. r. circles in New YORK,
where the family lived for many years,
and in Indianapolis, where she was
married to Mr.. Mckee, then OF Indian
apolis, in 1884. She was a lifelong
and devout Presbyterian, a member OF
the Central Presbyterian Church in
New York. More recently she was an
active member Of the First Presbyterian
Church in Greenwich. She was honor
airy president of the Woman's Auxiliary
of the latter church. She was active
in the various war activities, and was
treasurer of the Militia of Mercy" or
ganized during the war by Mrs. John
Hays Hammond. She also was an
officer in the Bird and Tree Club, or
ganized for relief work following the
war. and was an enthusiastic worker
for Christie Street House." which has
been such a boon to unfortunate men.
Mrs. Mckee was educated in Indian
apolis and at Ogontz Seminary In Ph1la-
delphia. and has been active in the kin
dergarten work undertaken by the
alllmnae of OgontZ. She was one OF the
bellies Of her day in indianapolis and
in Washington, where she was leader
among the young people of the Senate
circle when her father was member OF
that body, during which time her mar
rage took place.
Inspired White House Dance.
She and her children spent the greater
part of their time in the White House
during her fathers regime as President.
During her mothers Illness and after
her death, Mrs Mckee was mistress OF
the White House, discharging those
duties with rare grace, cordially and
tact She also was related to two other
mistresses of the White House, Mrs.
Hayes and Mrs. Taft, who were daugh-
ters of cousins Of Mrs. McKee's mater
nal grandfather, Rev. John w. Scott,
who died in the White House.
Mrs. Mckee and her ister-in-law.
Mrs Russell b. Harrison, were the in
spiration for the first dance in the White
House before Mrs. Benjamin Harrison's
illness. This dance brought forth
storm of criticism from all over the
country as too undigniffed proceeding
to be permitted within the historic
mansion" It was charming party and
has been followed by many others in
later administrations.
Among her club Affiliations were the
York Club and the Girls Service Club
of New York, the Womaln's Club and
the Propylaeums Of Indianapolis. She
was a practical worker in the Society
of the d. A. r. and member Of Put
nam Chapter Of Greenwich and char
ter member of the Caroline Scott Har-
rison Of indianapolis. the first chapter
organized in Indianapolis. She also has
been for many years honorary president
of the Colonial Danes of America, OF
the State of Indiana.
Mrs. Mckee is survived by her hus-