A piece of Kansas City history with Belton connections
By Laurie Bassett
Belton Chamber of Commerce held a red-carpet event Thursday evening for their Chairman’s Circle members announcing the opening of “Nelly Don – The Musical” at Belton Cinema 8. The movie producer and several actors were in attendance, as well.
Some readers will know, but let’s take a look at who Nelly Don was and the impact she had on our local community.
Nell Donnelly was born on March 6, 1889 in Parsons, Kan., the 12th of 13 children. She learned to sew and design clothes by making outfits for her dolls from scraps of material and by remaking hand-me-down dresses from her older sisters.
She came to Kansas City as a young adult, married Paul Donnelly in 1907, and soon became noted by her friends for her attractive everyday dresses. Eventually, she began to sell her creations and in 1916 her company, Nelly Don, was born.
Donnelly promoted the idea of women dressing attractively at home, saying, “We do our best when we look our best.” Apparently other women agreed. By 1931, she was producing 1.5 million dresses per year that were sold around the world.
She also provided most of the female uniforms during World War II, refusing to make a profit on these items.
In the summer of 1931, Donnelly announced that she was going to Europe to adopt a child. She actually gave birth to a son in Chicago, but that fact wasn’t revealed until later.
Donnelly and her driver, George Blair, were kidnapped at gunpoint later in 1931. A $75,000 ransom was demanded, or else Blair would be killed and Donelly blinded.
James A. Reed, the former mayor of Kansas City and three-time United States Senator was attorney, close “friend,” and neighbor to Donnelly. He took the initiative to contact Johnny Lazia an organized crime leader and get his help in locating her.
This proved an effective plan, and two days after the kidnapping “the mob” descended on a small farmhouse between Bonner Springs and Edwardsville, Kan., rescuing Donnelly and Blair.
After the kidnapping, Donnelly promised Blair a job with her as long as he wanted one. He worked for her for the rest of his life.
In November of 1932 Nell and Paul Donnelly divorced. She bought out his share of the company.
In December of 1933, Donnelly and Reed were married in a small surprise ceremony with their friends. Reed legally adopted her son, David, although it was later disclosed by relatives that he and Donnelly were actually his biological parents. It seems their marriage was a happy one, lasting until Reed died of bronchitis in 1944.
Nell Donnelly Reed ran Nelly Don Garment Company until selling it in 1956. The business closed in 1978, everyday dresses having lost favor with women.
She died in 1991 at the age of 102.
Local historian Jeff Larkey did some research and found a local connection to Nelly Don. When The Grace Company started in Belton, they took a tour of the Kansas City Company, looking for ways to pattern their own business. There were also ads in the Belton Star Herald for Nelly Don, indicating that the dresses were sold in Belton.
The event Thursday evening was so much more than just the premier viewing of the musical in Belton. Terence O’Malley, producer and great-great nephew of Nell Donnelly Reed was the guest speaker. He called the movie “fictual” based on facts, but with fiction woven into the storytelling. The movie came out in 2023 and has been running continuously since then.
Two of the actors from the movie were present for the Chamber event. Tim Ahlenius played U.S. Senator James A. Reed, and Mark Sepulveda performed a musical number following the movie as Mob Boss Johnny Lazia.
Daniel Doss, the music arranger and resident of Belton, also spoke to those in attendance. There was a roaming Nelly Don originals fashion show modeled by local students.
It was an interesting and informative evening for all who attended. Nelly Don – The Musical will continue to be shown for at least a week, possibly more, at Belton Cinema 8. Check online for dates and times.
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