Person:Nelson McKee (1)

_DCAUSE: Traumatic Meningitis

[McKee-Reed.FTW]

Seems to have left Sarah Ann Sunderland, his wife, and their three children, about 1878. See Florence Elizabeth MCKEE's essay, under Notes, where it mentions a "tragedy" that befell the family and forced her to seek employment, at the age of 16, as a schoolteacher.

Copied from the Monticello Herald : MONTICELLO, INDIANA THURSDAY, JUNE 6,1879. N. R. MCKEE MISSING. His sudden and unaccountable disappearance last Saturday Night. Our citizens were awakened last Saturday night about 12 o'clock by the ringing of the fire-bell and the streets were soon alive with half dressed men and women inquiring the cause of the alarm. The cry was soon sounded along Main street, "N.R. McKee is missing!" and groups of citizens here and there all over town caught up the strange intelligence and were soon discussing this new wonder in all its phases. A party of men immediately proceeded to his residence in the south-east part of town, were they learned from the distracted family that Mr. McKee had come home that night about 10 o'clock, accompanied by his son Frank, taken off his coat and boots as if about to retire, but seeming to change his mind, had redressed himself again and gone out, since which time he has not been seen. Mrs. McKee had retired before he came home, and upon entering her room he handed her a package containing about $50 in currency, requesting her to take care of it. She told him to lay it away in a safe place and shortly afterward fell asleep. She awoke in about an hour and missing her husband became alarmed, dressed herself and make search all over the premises even going to the bluff, which is but a short distance from the house, and calling for him. Failing in all her efforts to find him, she went to the next house and aroused Mr. James McBeth, who went up town and caused the alarm to be given. All search that night proved unavailing, and the affair still remains shrouded in mystery. The fact was developed next morning that a deed and mortgage purporting to be executed by N. R. McKee and wife, had been sent from Portland, this state, to the clerk of this county for his certificate of the official standing of the officer by whom the acknowledgements were taken. The acknowledgements were signed "H.V. Bennett, J.P.," and were dated May 26, - one day prior to the date in the body of the instruments. The clerk showed the papers to H.P. Bennett, who denied having taken any such acknowledgements, and Mr. McKee upon being confronted with the papers gave no satisfactory explanation, but seemed confused and annoyed. He is reported to have been low-spirited all day Saturday, and was very uncommunicative even to his family upon the subject of his trouble. Mr. McKee came here from Portland, Jay Co. about a year ago, and opened a jewelry store on Main Street. He brought with him the best of recommendations and up to the date of his disappearance he had maintained an unblemished character, and even now pubic sentiment is loth to charge him with any evil intentions. That we was financially embarrassed seems to be beyond doubt, and some are inclined to the opinion that under the pressure of financial trouble he became deranged. Several circumstances connected with his departure seem to indicate that this theory is correct. As far as known he took nothing with him of value beyond a few dollars in currency which remained out of a $100 draft which he cashed that day and out of which he paid his store rent for several months, including one month in advance. A portion of the remainder formed the contents of the package which he handed to his wife. His store was left in perfect order, all the jewelry, watches and other valuables being found in his safe. His family, who are highly respected, consists of his wife, a daughter aged 17, and two sons aged respectively 14 and 6 years. As may be imagined they are in the deepest suspense, fearing that he has committed suicide. His son Frank has been in charge of this store since Monday morning. At the present writing three theories are advanced in regard to the mystery. 1st. That he was deranged and wandered off without any definite aim. 2nd. That he absconded under fear of prosecution for forgery. 3rd. Suicide. He is about 40 years of age, medium height, sandy complexion and wore a suit of gray. His brother, Mr. Charles McKee, a jeweler of Sidney, Ohio, arrived here Tuesday noon in response to a telegram from Mrs. McKee. He has been engaged since his arrival in investigation the accounts of his brother and in adjusting a few home claims. He says that he can only account for his brothers disappearance by supposing that he had lost his reason. At present Mrs. McKee contemplates remaining here, in preference to moving to any other point.

1. ↑ children of Francis Harvey Reed and Florence Elizabeth McKee. Reed Family Genealogy. (Name: privately published 1934;).
2. ↑ McKee-Reed.FTW.

   Date of Import: Apr 3, 2001

3. ↑ Census - Ohio.