38: The Kidnapping of Nell Donnelly (Part 1)

It was 6 p.m. on the evening of Wednesday, Dec. 16, 1931. Legendary fashion designer Nell Donnelly was headed home from work. Her chauffeur, George Blair, drove Nell’s lime green Lincoln through the streets of downtown Kansas City. When they arrived at her palatial home, George noticed a vehicle blocking the driveway. Two unfamiliar men stood on either side of it. George slammed on the brakes. In seconds, one of the men charged at him with a gun. Two more men came running. One jumped into the backseat with Nell. The gunman took charge of the vehicle. The other man jumped in on the passenger’s side, effectively trapping George. Nell screamed. She kicked. She fought. She thought for certain that someone would hear her. They didn’t. America’s best, most successful businesswoman, along with her chauffeur, had just been kidnapped. Remember, kids, history hoes always cite their sources! For this episode, Kristin pulled from: “Nelly Gone: KCQ traces the kidnapping of Nell Donnelly,” by Kate Hill for the Kansas City Public Library The book, “More than Petticoats: Remarkable Missouri Women,” by Elaine Warner The book, “James A. Reed: Legendary Lawyer; Marplot in the United States Senate,” by J. Michael Cronan “First A Lady,” by Jennifer Wilding for the Kansas City Star magazine “Nelly Don’s unexpected legacy,” for the Fashion Conservatory “Nell Donelly Reed,” Historic Missourians “Nelly Don’s zero-waste apron design,” run-sew-read “Nelly Don: Self made in America,” seamwork.com The book, “The Snatch Racket,” by Carolyn Cox The book, “The Devil’s Tickets,” by Gary M. Pomerantz Obituary for George Blair, Kansas City Star, June 10, 1977 “Causes for hate,” The Kansas City American, Dec. 24, 1931 “Mrs. Donnelly is found, safe,” The Kansas City Times, Dec. 18, 1931 “Mrs. Donnelly’s chauffeur tells of the kidnappers’ treatment of them,” The Kansas City Star, Dec. 18, 1931 Are you enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Then please leave us a 5-star rating and review wherever you listen to podcasts! Are you *really* enjoying An Old Timey Podcast? Well, calm down, history ho! You can get more of us on Patreon at patreon.com/oldtimeypodcast. At the $5 level, you’ll get a monthly bonus episode (with video!), access to our 90’s style chat room, plus the entire back catalog of bonus episodes from Kristin’s previous podcast, Let’s Go To Court.

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