Jackson County (Mo.) Historical Society
Portals
to the Past by David W. Jackson
Book chronicles colorful life of Nelly Don Nelly Don Tried
One On and Took it for a Ride
We’ve tried it
on, and it fits like a glove. Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time by Terence
Michael O’Malley, is an elegantly assembled textile...err...textual history
of Kansas City’s premier fashion icon. The 90-page book is loaded with images
that stitch together for readers a fascinating pattern of the
life and times of Mrs. Nell (Quinlan) Donnelly Reed, affectionately known by
her fashion label, Nelly Don. Then,
there’s O’Malley’s documentary by the same title that’s still leaving
Screenland moviegoers reeling (see show times in the Star, or at
www.screenland.com). Would you
believe this story begins with a simple, pink gingham frock, or housedress,
that a young, discontent bride with a slim purse (her words) designed in
1916? Imagine the day Nell walked into Peck’s Dry Goods department store in
downtown Kansas City, presented colorful little aprons, and immediately
secured an initial order of 18 dozen dresses? Nell had just threaded a
fashion empire. She became one of the wealthiest and celebrated American
women in business and philanthropists; her became
company the largest of its kind in the world. Throughout, she praised and
supported the workers who helped Nelly Don bolt into the women’s garment
industry. Before the stock
market crash in 1929, Donnelly Garment Company employed mostly seasonal
workers for summer and winter fashion lines. As the Great Depression
descended upon the nation, however, Nell used her patented Handy Dandy apron
to keep the factory open year-round, giving employment to many in a time of
great need. The apron was
unique in that a tailor never had to remove the garment from the machine to
sew the seams. Efficiencies like these, and innovations, including pioneering
the sectionalized method of garment production, became a hallmark for
Donnelly Garment Company. One million dollars from Handy Dandy’s revenues also helped Nell buy
her husband’s interest in the company in November 1932, when her 25-year
strained marriage to Paul Donnelly ended in divorce. A discreet year
transpired before Nell married an admired friend and neighbor, former U.S.
Senator James A. Reed, in December 1933. But, wait, there are more yarns to weave. As the Donnelly’s
marriage waned, Paul drank heavily, and was notorious for his extramarital
affairs. As for Nell, she became enamored with her dashing neighbor, nearly
30 years her senior. The attraction was obviously mutual, as the two
conceived a child early in 1931. Nell traveled to Europe, ostensibly to adopt
a child, her confinement ending in Chicago in September, when Nell gave birth
to David Quinlan Donnelly (whose last name would later become Reed). We hardly have
room here to tell you about his mother’s kidnapping and father’s heroic
rescue, when David was but three months old and under the attendance of a
governess. 75 years ago this December 13, Nell and her chauffeur,
George Blair, were abducted one night after work as their automobile
approached the driveway to the family home (today the Toy and Miniature
Museum of Kansas City).Â
Reed forcefully took charge in pursuing the kidnappers, even
enlisting the help of Kansas City political gangster Johnny Lazia, until the event ended 34 harrowing hours later. A decade later, bolt
with Nelly Don when, during World War II, Nell re-configured her fashion
dress and coat manufacturing plant into producing action clothes for American
service women...and those who replaced men in heavy industries. For a more
detailed and picturesque look her colorful, long-lived life, get your copy of
Nelly Don: A Stitch in Time from the Jackson County Historical Society’s
Bookshop (while quantities last). |
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