Indianapolis Light Infantry H.M.S. Pinafore cast photograph album
Collection — Box: 1
Identifier: P077
Scope and Contents
This collection includes a photograph album containing boudoir cards of cast members of the H.M.S. Pinafore, performed at the English's Opera House on Monument Circle in Indianapolis, Indiana during January 13-15 and 21-22, 1881. The album belonged to William J. McKee, whose photograph is labeled in the album. The performers were members of the Indianapolis Light Infantry, all male, except for a guest performer, Ada Somers McWade, who played Josephine the final two days of the show.
Dates
- 1881 January
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Legal title, copyright, and literary rights reside with Rare Books and Manuscripts, Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN. All requests to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted to Rare Books and Manuscripts.
Biographical Note
William James McKee was born on December 12, 1853 to Robert S. (1823–1903) and Celine Elizabeth (Lodge) McKee (1826–1861) in Madison, Jefferson County, Indiana. He had several siblings, including: Mary Ann (1851–1857), Eliza (1852–1852), Edward Lodge (1856–1929), James Robert (1857–1942), Frank Latham (1861–1927); and half siblings, R. Boone ( –1907) and Celine Lodge (1867–1944). McKee attended Yale University. He joined the Indianapolis Light Infantry soon after its founding in 1879, beginning a life of military service, at home and abroad.
McKee married Fannie Bruce McKinney (1856–1944) on February 20, 1878 in Indianapolis. The couple lived for many years at the Denison Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana and spent part of their summers in Michigan. McKee worked for the McKee Boot and Shoe Company in Indianapolis. He was promoted to brigadier general in command of the Indiana National Guard, of which the Indianapolis Light Infantry was a part, in March 1893. He was also appointed a brigadier general in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War, commanding several various divisions of the 1st and 2nd army corps. McKee was promoted to major general in April 1905, while his wife Fannie was appointed to the board of managers of the Indiana Women's Prison in 1907. He was field commander of the guard for several years as well, until his declining health prevented him from taking an active role in the guard. McKee was a 33rd-degree Mason as of September 19, 1893 and served as commander in chief of the consistory from 1910 to 1919. He became president of the McKee Realty Company in his last years. McKee died on December 24, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. Fannie McKee died on June 24, 1944 in Indianapolis.
Sources:
Item in the collection.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1860 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1900 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1910 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1920 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." Indiana, U.S., Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Findagrave.com. "William James McKee." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45982487/william-james-mckee.
"Gen. McKee, State Military Leader Many Years, Dies. Indianapolis Star, December 25, 1925. Accessed July 11, 2022. ProQuest.
"Mrs. McKee Dies; Prison Reformer." Indianapolis Star, June 25, 1944. Accessed July 11, 2022. ProQuest.
McKee married Fannie Bruce McKinney (1856–1944) on February 20, 1878 in Indianapolis. The couple lived for many years at the Denison Hotel in Indianapolis, Indiana and spent part of their summers in Michigan. McKee worked for the McKee Boot and Shoe Company in Indianapolis. He was promoted to brigadier general in command of the Indiana National Guard, of which the Indianapolis Light Infantry was a part, in March 1893. He was also appointed a brigadier general in the U.S. Army during the Spanish-American War, commanding several various divisions of the 1st and 2nd army corps. McKee was promoted to major general in April 1905, while his wife Fannie was appointed to the board of managers of the Indiana Women's Prison in 1907. He was field commander of the guard for several years as well, until his declining health prevented him from taking an active role in the guard. McKee was a 33rd-degree Mason as of September 19, 1893 and served as commander in chief of the consistory from 1910 to 1919. He became president of the McKee Realty Company in his last years. McKee died on December 24, 1925 in Indianapolis, Indiana and was buried in Crown Hill Cemetery. Fannie McKee died on June 24, 1944 in Indianapolis.
Sources:
Item in the collection.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1860 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1880 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1900 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1910 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." 1920 United States Federal Census. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Ancestry.com. "William J. McKee." Indiana, U.S., Select Marriages Index, 1748-1993. Accessed July 11, 2022. http://www.ancestrylibrary.com.
Findagrave.com. "William James McKee." Find a Grave Memorial. Accessed July 11, 2022. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/45982487/william-james-mckee.
"Gen. McKee, State Military Leader Many Years, Dies. Indianapolis Star, December 25, 1925. Accessed July 11, 2022. ProQuest.
"Mrs. McKee Dies; Prison Reformer." Indianapolis Star, June 25, 1944. Accessed July 11, 2022. ProQuest.
Historical Note
Members of the Indianapolis Light Infantry performed the Gilbert and Sullivan's comedic opera, H.M.S. Pinafore, at English's Opera House in Indianapolis, Indiana during January 13-15, 1881. As such, all the characters, even the female parts, were played by men. The production was directed by Ora Pearson and the costumes were furnished by Eaves and Co. of New York. The opera was so well-received the company decided to add three performances the following week on Janaury 21 and 22, 1881. The ticket prices were reduced for "the benefit of the Flower Mission and News Boys' Home." Local performer Ada Somers McWade was enlisted to play the part.
The Indianapolis Light Infantry was formed as a private light infantry company in April 1877. The company was mustered into the Indiana Legion, a precursor of the Indiana National Guard, on July 16, 1877, as a separate company, with 73 officers and enlisted men. It was later designated Company A of the 2nd Infantry Regiment. When the company's term of service expired on July 16, 1864, the light infantry dropped out of state service but continued as an independent entity. The company elected to rejoin as a state regiment on July 15, 1889 as Company D of the 2nd Infantry Regiment. The company then mustered into the U.S. Army as Company D of the 158th Indiana Infantry Regiment at the start of the Spanish-American War in 1898. The company had several captains over the years, including General N. R. Ruckle, Colonel James R. Ross, General William J. McKee, Captain Robert J. Scott, Major Henry T. Conde, Captain Frank F. McCrea, Major WIlliam S. Rich, Captain William A. Kreber, and Captain Hoyt N. McClain.
Sources:
Item in the collection.
"Amusements." Indianapolis News, January 14, 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022.
"Amusements." Indianapolis News, January 21, 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022.
"English's Opera House." Indianapolis News, January 14, 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022.
"English's Opera House." Indianapolis News, January 19 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022.
"Light Infantry History." Indianapolis Star, May 17, 1928. Accessed July 11, 2022. ProQuest.
"Pinafore." Indianapolis People, January 8, 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022. NewspaperArchive.
The Indianapolis Light Infantry was formed as a private light infantry company in April 1877. The company was mustered into the Indiana Legion, a precursor of the Indiana National Guard, on July 16, 1877, as a separate company, with 73 officers and enlisted men. It was later designated Company A of the 2nd Infantry Regiment. When the company's term of service expired on July 16, 1864, the light infantry dropped out of state service but continued as an independent entity. The company elected to rejoin as a state regiment on July 15, 1889 as Company D of the 2nd Infantry Regiment. The company then mustered into the U.S. Army as Company D of the 158th Indiana Infantry Regiment at the start of the Spanish-American War in 1898. The company had several captains over the years, including General N. R. Ruckle, Colonel James R. Ross, General William J. McKee, Captain Robert J. Scott, Major Henry T. Conde, Captain Frank F. McCrea, Major WIlliam S. Rich, Captain William A. Kreber, and Captain Hoyt N. McClain.
Sources:
Item in the collection.
"Amusements." Indianapolis News, January 14, 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022.
"Amusements." Indianapolis News, January 21, 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022.
"English's Opera House." Indianapolis News, January 14, 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022.
"English's Opera House." Indianapolis News, January 19 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022.
"Light Infantry History." Indianapolis Star, May 17, 1928. Accessed July 11, 2022. ProQuest.
"Pinafore." Indianapolis People, January 8, 1881. Accessed July 11, 2022. NewspaperArchive.
Extent
0.6 Cubic Feet (1 oversize box)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
This collection consists of one item.
Custodial History
This collection was received by Rare Books and Manuscripts as a donation.
Accruals
No further additions are expected.
Processing Information
Collection processing completed 2022/07/11 by Brittany Kropf. EAD finding aid created 2022/07/11 by Brittany Kropf.
- Title
- Indianapolis Light Infantry H.M.S. Pinafore cast photograph album
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Rare Books and Manuscripts Repository
Contact:
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
140 North Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, Indiana 46204 U.S.A.
317-232-3671
