First published in The Emporia Gazette October 21, 2003

AN OVERALL SHORTAGE

by Cheryl Unruh

We had an overall crisis on our hands.

The Key brand quit making overalls with the herringbone tweed design.

Key overalls are still available in hickory stripe and solid blue, but not in the design that my dad prefers. After 70-some years in overalls (I’ve seen the boyhood photos), Dad’s ways are set.

I first learned of the situation about a year ago at Bluestem Farm and Ranch Supply. My stepmother, Betty, had asked me to pick up two pair before I drove to Pawnee Rock.

There were none in Dad’s size on Bluestem’s shelves, so I asked an employee for assistance. She brought out several pair and said there were more in the back room, but gave this ominous warning: “What we have in stock is all that we’re getting. Key quit making the herringbone.”

She added, “I don’t know what those men will do when they can’t get them anymore.”

Dad has now worn down those two pair of overalls. A few months ago, Betty asked if I’d check at Bluestem to see if they still had any. They didn’t.

I checked around on the Internet. No luck.

“Well, you’ll just have to start wearing jeans,” Betty told him.

For working around the house, Dad wears overalls that Betty has patched. But when those get too ragged, she throws them out.

“I don’t want him going down to the elevator looking like an orphan,” she said. Betty takes very good care of my father.

Overalls are perfect for a carpenter such as my dad. They have that handy hammer loop. The pockets are loose enough to carry nails. The bib has pockets for a notepad and pencil so he can write down measurements.

“When my time comes, I want to be buried in my overalls,” Dad said. He’s smiling, but I think he may be serious.

“You are NOT going to be wearing overalls. You’ll be wearing your suit,” Betty said.

“Nobody will recognize me if I’m not in my overalls,” he teased.

Dad wears them every day. He has worn them to build cabinets, drive the school bus, dig graves, and deliver the mail.

Recently, I was exercising on a seated stepper machine at Emporia Fitness. On the machine next to me was a man wearing a crisp new pair of Key brand herringbone tweed.

“Do you mind if I ask where you got your overalls?” I inquired of the man, whose name I later learned was Francis Schaefer.

“At Bill’s Hardware, down in Hartford,” Francis said.

“Do you know if they still have any?” I asked.

“It was awhile back that I bought these,” Francis said. “I could find out for you if she has more.”

The next day, Francis left a message for me at the Emporia Fitness desk: Theda Wolford still had some sizes in stock. There was hope.

I could have phoned her, but this gave me an excuse for a nice autumn drive and for another visit to the store. It had been several years since I walked into the incredible shopping experience of Bill’s Hardware.

If you have never been to Bill’s Hardware: Go.

Merchandise is stacked high and deep. Besides tools, she sells greeting cards, can openers, clothing and candles, just for starters. One room has a nice selection of fabric.
The store was busy. Theda waited on several customers while I looked around. I didn’t see overalls on the shelves, but maybe I just wasn’t digging deep enough.

They were behind a counter.

“What size?” Theda asked.

She had two pair. I bought them both. Thanks to Francis and Theda, my dad is well dressed and happy.

Crisis averted--for now.                        

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