The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-11-10

Marguerite De Estes Kelley, mother
OF Ittle Edna Kelley. the child actress,
oiea 70 san Francisco last Thursday. after
or1ef Illness The exact cause OF her
death Is not known. bu: 81 10 thought 10
nave been quick consumption Some OF
her friends in this city had heard that she
was Sex. but were greatly surprised yes
seruay afternoon 20 hear Of her death
The Kelley family was well known in
TINS city, especially for three years after
sne big IRE. They came here in 1883 from
Greencassie. the county seat OF Putnam
county. Ind. Mr. kee!ey's full name was
Edward Earle Kelley. He ilrst started in
the restaurant business ON Yesier way,
tnen fesler avenue, one or two doors west
OF the meat market which 10 now located
at the corner OF Third avenue south. His
restaurant was called .-Keeieys Waffle
House" After business got stra ghtened
out somewhat on Second avenue he moved
20 the brick block just north Of James
Sneehan's saloon. 1t 10 claimed that Mr..
heeiey was the frst man TO introduce
waffles In Seattle. The cooking WAS done
IN the front part OF the restaurant on Sec
ond avenue, and could be watched from
the street For some time Mrs. Kelley
Was cashier in the restaurant but at rhe
same time she was studying for the stage.
Little Edna" as every one called Mr..
and Mrs. Keeiey's Ettle daughter. was .
great favorste, and in the days when tho
Old Seattle Press was on earth and doing
business on jefferson street. near the cor
ner OF Yesler way. she used TO get few
papers every afternoon and stand out in
front Of the Office. Playing newsboy. She
was q very attractive child. and there
were few people In the city who did not
know her by sight.
Mrs. Kelley came to the conclusion
some time N 1880 that she would become q
full nedged actress, and consequently left
this CITY for San Francisco to organize a
dramatic company. Ii is said that her
husband at that time gave her half of his
property. which amounted TO q snug lit
tie sum. for he had been making money,
especially when he was IN business on
Yesler way. The company was called the
Marguerite De Estes Dramatic Com
pany." and was under the management
of f. N. Jewell, who used to be a partner
of William Russell, the present manager
OF the Third Avenue theater. The book
ings were from San Francisco north to
Seattle. Mrs. Kelley. under the stage
name of Marguerite De Estes. played Sec
ond. or Juvenile. lead. The venture was
not rhe success anticipated. and 1t is sad
that even before the company reached
Washington Mr.. Kelley had TO furnish
more money TO help it out. When the
company reached Seattle 1t was dis
banded.
Not long after THIS Mr.. Kelley went out
of the restaurant business and tried his
hand at ediEng paper called the ORA
matte Star" His wife assisted him with
the paper. Along about this time Little
Edna" made her appearance on the stage
IN cfrild's parts. and she scored an instan-
taneous success. She made her greatest
success in Edna's Burglar"
In the summer of 1898 Mrs. Kelley again
went on the stage. this time as the lead
ing lady in Newton Beers company, which
was playing Lost in London" The fol-
lowing year she played leading parts In
several plays produced at the Ninth Street
theater in Tacoma. AT that time her hus-
band had given UP the Star and was run
nng the theater. after Mr.. Kelley gave
up the Ninth Street theater the family
moved TO California, where In 1895 Mrs.
Kelley travelled with Samuel T. Shaw's
company. She has also been with Peter
and Paul Vests company.
She was about 80 years old. OF rather
slight figure and below medium height.
She was decided brunette. and most peo-
pie would call her an attractive woman.
She was ladynke and a pleasant CONVERSE
tionarst She came from family OF the
atrical people. Sometimes she mentioned
her relationship with Helen De Estes. an
old-time actress.
In speaking of Mrs. Kelley yesterday
afternoon, Manager Russell said that she
had considerable ability as an actress. but
commenced 10 prepare for the stage too
late in FIFE.