More Monday

And here is.......the rest of the story.

Edna Mae Childress Payden born 26 May 1894 in Deloit, Crawford County, Iowa. Married Fred Payden. Died July 23, 1980 in New York City, New York.

Edna Childress was born to John Milton Childress, Jr. and Charlotte Elizabeth Botts. She grew up in Deloit, Iowa and became a member of the Methodist Church on April 26, 1911 along with two of her sisters, Mattie (Martha) and Lois (Eloise).

From the Denison Review, April 26, 1911: Deloit Items - "The Methodist church was crowded last Sunday to listen to the sermon in the text: "The thing that thou doest is not good." Immediately following the sermon three sisters, Mrs. Mattie Cose, Mrs. Lois Armour and Miss Edna Childress, came to the altar and received the rite of baptism. The services were pronounced beautiful and impressive."

Edna attended and graduated from Denison Normal College and from Drake University in Des Moines.

Denison Review, June 19, 1912: Rare Musical at Normal College - "The commencement recital given by the graduates in music of the Denison Normal college on Wednesday...The entertainment as a whole was of the highest order. The following program was rendered: Waltzing Doll - Edna Childress...Rose in the Bud - Edna Childress...Allegro Classique, Op. 94 - Edna Childress.....Piano Concerto-Mozart-Second Piano - Edna Childress."

Denison Review, April 16, 1913: Deloit Items - "We understand that Miss Edna Childress started Monday for Des Moines to enter Drake university."

Denison Review, September 22, 1915 - "Miss Edna Childress left one day last week to travel with a concert company as soloist. She is a very talented singer and is winning her way as a soprano singer. She expects to go to Chicago."

Denison Review, January 29, 1919 - Deloit Girl in Lyceum Work - "Mrs. Payden, daughter of J.M. Childress of Deloit, Visits Parents with Husband - Will sail for Australia - Mr. and Mrs. Payden Members of Dixie Lyceum Bureau and will Travel Extensively - Mr. and Mrs. Payden have been spending the past week at the home of the latter's parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.M. Childress of Deloit and enjoying a brief vacation from lyceum work in which they are engaged. Mrs. Payden will be remembered as Miss Edna Childress, who is very well known in this community as well as deloit, she having graduated from the music department of the Denison Normal college. She later attended Drake university and finished her musical education at Chicago. She posesses unusual talent and she and her husband are very popular in lyceum and chatauqua work. This seasons work will be with the Dixie Lyceum bureau which is under the management of the affiliated bureaus, their territory covering the entire United States. Mr. Payden returned to his home in Dallas, Texas, for a short visit. Mrs. Payden remaining her for a more extended visit with her parents, after which she will join her husband at Dallas. Later they will go to San Francisco and from there will sail for Australia where they are booked for several engagments and where they will promote a newly established chatauqua circuit."

By 1931 Edna was living in New York City.

Denison Review January 14, 1931 - Deloit Items - "Mrs. Edna May Payden and Mrs. J.M. Childress returned last Monday from Omaha and report Mr. Childress gaining rapidly. Mrs. Payden left on Thursday evening to resume her work in New York City after spending the past four months with her parents. With her cheerful disposition she had done much to cheer and encourage her father during his long illness. Mr. Childress is expected home this week."

Edna's death certificate from July 23, 1980, Manhatten, New York City, New York: Age 86, died of a spontaneous subarachnoid hemmorhage, fracture of the left hip. Fall at residence at 304 W. 11 st. Her marital status is widowed. Her occupation was Cosmetics. The informer was Ardath McIntosh who was Martha Conyers Childress' daughter and Edna's niece.

From www.crackerjackcollectors.com/Jeffrey_Maxwell/alphachautauquan/bureaus.html comes the following information on the Dixie Lyceum Bureau - "Dixie Lyceum Bureau, Suite 510 Wilson Bldg., Dallas, Texas. Territory: Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana. "Agency for the Pricipal Platform and Musical Attractions. Attractions furnished for Lyceum Courses, Chautauquas, Teacher's Institutes, Colleges, Clubs, etc. AFFILIATED with Coit Lyceum Bureau, Cleveland; White Entertainment Bureau, Boston; Alkahest Lyceum System, Atlanta; Mutual Lyceum Bureau, Chicago; Ellison-White Lyceum Bureau, Boise-Portland. TLM1120