Kid Carolina

by Heidi Schnakenberg

  Emotional aftermath: Bradshaw, Dreams that Money Can Buy; “Reynolds Left Suspect Cash,” New York Times, October 8, 1932; “Sues to Apportion Reynolds Estate,” New York Times, March 25, 1933; “Family Proposes Reynolds Division,” New York Times, November 17, 1934; Anne Cannon Reynolds et al. v. Zachary Smith Reynolds et al., 208 N.C. 578; 182 S.E. 341; “Reynolds Settlement Overruled,” Los Angeles Times, March 22, 1934; “Family Threatens New Reynolds Suit,” New York Times, March 12, 1935; “Miss Holman Wins in Reynolds Fight,” New York Times, March 16, 1935; “House by Reynolds,” Time, September 2, 1935; “Libby Holman Wins on Estate Appeal,” New York Times, November 2, 1935; “Names Make the News,” Time, March 23, 1936; Wilson, For the People of North Carolina.

  6. LOVE, YACHTS, AND POLITICS

  Ella Cannon: Muriel Reynolds papers; “Milestones,” Time, June 11, 1934.

  Wedding bells: Muriel Reynolds papers; “R. J. Reynolds to Wed: Heir of Tobacco Man to Marry Miss Dillard Tomorrow,” New York Times, December 31, 1932, p. 8; “R. J. Reynolds to Wed Miss Dillard,” New York Times, December 26, 1932; “R. J. Reynolds Weds Miss Dillard,” New York Times, January 2, 1933; “Milestones,” Time, January 9, 1933; Elliot, Winston-Salem’s Historic West End.

  The era of Blitz: “Dick Reynolds Given $25,000,000,” Daily-Times News, April 4, 1934; “So They Took the $25,000,000,” Los Angeles Times, April 9, 1934; “R. J. Reynolds Is Sued,” New York Times, March 31, 1933; “R. J. Reynolds Fights Suit,” New York Times, October 31, 1933; “Reynolds Loses Point,” New York Times, December 17, 1933; “Reynolds Answers Dancer’s $140,000 Suit,” New York Times, September 8, 1934; “$1,475,000 Suit Settled,” New York Times, May 8, 1934; “Son to R. J. Reynolds Jr.,” New York Times, December 8, 1933; “Pacing Stake Won by Dick Reynolds,” New York Times, July 7, 1933; “Hambletonian Won by Mary Reynolds,” New York Times, August 17, 1933; “Taffy Volo Takes Trot,” New York Times, September 14, 1933; “Mrs. Harriman Wins Special Trot for Amateur Drivers at Goshen,” New York Times, July 23, 1936; “3-Heat World Trot Record Set by Calumet Dilworthy at Goshen,” New York Times, July 24, 1936; Ross Mactaggart, The Golden Century: Classic Motor Yachts, 1830–1930 (New York: W. W. Norton, 2001); “Island to R. J. Reynolds,” New York Times, April 19, 1934; “Reynolds Leases Sapelo Island,” New York Times, April 19, 1934; “Island Fad Hits South,” New York Times, February 7, 1937; Garraty et al., American National Biography; Buddy Sullivan, Sapelo: A History (Darien: Darien News, 1988); “R. J. Reynoldses Jr. Hosts,” New York Times, February 11, 1938; “Sloop Blitzen Launched,” New York Times, June 3, 1938; “30 Craft Ready to Start Today in Bayside’s Block Island Race,” New York Times, July 29, 1938; “Blitzen Sails on to Early Lead,” New York Times, July 30, 1938; “38 Yachts Start in Vineyard Race,” New York Times, September 3, 1938; James Robbins, “Baruna’s Victory a Feature of the Year,” New York Times, December 25, 1938; “Yawl Crosses Ocean, Ruled out of Race,” New York Times, August 8, 1937; “American Yacht Disqualified in Race,” Los Angeles Times, August 8, 1937; “American Yawl Is Fifth,” New York Times, August 13, 1937; “Lead Poured at City Island Yard for Keel of New Schafer Yawl,” New York Times, December 30, 1937.

  Dreams chased: “Blitzen from the East,” Oakland Tribune, July 2, 1939; “Miami Women Watch Yachts from Plane,” New York Times, February 16, 1939; “Small Boats Race Today at Newport,” New York Times, March 26, 1939; “Wakiva Takes Lead in Race to Havana,” New York Times, March 5, 1939; “Wakiva Sets Pace for Racing Fleet,” New York Times, March 6, 1939; “Small Yachts Take the Lead,” New York Times, July 6, 1939; “Blitzen Is Victor in Key West Race,” New York Times, March 12, 1939; “Blitzen Triumphs on Corrected Time,” New York Times, March 7, 1939.

  Kid Carolina strikes again: “Threatened Wife of R. J. Reynolds,” New York Times, November 4, 1933; “Faces Extortion Trial,” New York Times, November 5, 1933; “Extortion Defendant Sentenced,” New York Times, November 21, 1933; Wilson, For the People of North Carolina; “Reynolds Fund Aids Warfare on Syphilis,” New York Times, December 19, 1937; Tilley, The R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company; Muriel Reynolds papers; “Chatterbox,” Los Angeles Times, August 10, 1939; “Hawaii Yacht Race Winner at Matsonia,” Los Angeles Times, August 10, 1939; “Gossip and Smart Talk,” Los Angeles Times, August 20, 1939; “For First Place,” Fresno Bee, July 17, 1939; “Chatterbox,” Los Angeles Times, May 24, 1939; “Chubasco Fails to Report in Honolulu Race Yacht Race,” Los Angeles Times, July 16, 1939; “Fandango 2 Miles Ahead,” New York Times, July 17, 1939; “Yacht Race Victor in Doubt,” Los Angeles Times, July 21, 1939; James Robbins and Morris Rosenfield, “Nation’s Yachtsmen and Speed Boat Pilots Enjoyed a Record-Breaking Year,” New York Times, December 24, 1939.

  Political ventures: “Democrats Report Outlay,” New York Times, October 31, 1936; “Democratic National Group Reorganization Disclosed,” Los Angeles Times, January 5, 1941; “Democratic Shift Committee Posts,” New York Times, January 5, 1941; Letter, Franklin D. Roosevelt to Mr. Reynolds, February 5, 1941, PPF 7370, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library; “Reynolds Gets Call in Inquiry,” Los Angeles Times, January 14, 1941; “Tobey Demands Hague Inquiry,” New York Times, March 8, 1941, p. 10; “Senate Seat Declared Won by Illegal Methods,” New York Times, February 21, 1941; “Milestones,” Time, April 14, 1941; “The Controversial Princess,” Time, April 11, 1960; Erwin, “Dick Reynolds,” State Magazine, August 16, 1941; Robert C. Albright, “ ‘Boss Away,’ Democrats Call off $100 Feast,” Washington Post, March 28, 1941, p. 1; “Both Parties Evaded Law, Says Gillette,” Washington Post, January 12, 1941, p. 11; “Jackson Day Dinner Set,” New York Times, February 24, 1941; “Roosevelt to Make Jackson Day Speech,” New York Times, March 24, 1941; “Democrats Report $414,617 Unpaid,” New York Times, March 13, 1941, p. 17; Arthur Sears Henning, “Find Campaign Was History’s Most Expensive,” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 24, 1941; “Jersey Democrats Got Reynolds Loan,” New York Times, January 9, 1941, p. 46; “More Party Loans Told at Inquiry,” New York Times, January 10, 1941, p. 20; “Quayle Decides Loan Testimony Was a ‘Mistake,’” Chicago Daily Tribune, January 12, 1941, p. 13; “Roosevelt Radio Loan Questioned,” Los Angeles Times, January 9, 1941, p. 8; “Says Both Parties ‘Evaded’ Hatch Act,” New York Times, January 12, 1941, p. 42; Unpublished U.S. Senate Committee Hearings, 18th Congress–88th Congress, 1823–1964 (18) SJ-T.1–(82) SSM-T.23; Tursi, Winston-Salem; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; Roy Thompson, “R. J. Reynolds Dies at 58 in Swiss Clinic: Cause Not Determined,” Winston-Salem Journal, December 16, 1964; Charles Osolin, “Career as Mayor: Brief, Distinctive,” Winston-Salem Journal, December 17, 1964; “Tom Davis: Entrepreneur of the Air,” News and Observer, June 23, 2004.

  Breakdown ahead: Letter, Richard J. Reynolds to Franklin D. Roosevelt, December 2, 1941, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library; Letter, Franklin D. Roosevelt to Dick Reynolds, December 5, 1941, PPF 1069, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library; “Women Invite Men to Parley,” Los Angeles Times, August 7, 1941; “Radio Today,” New York Times, August 28, 1941; “Young Democrats Back All Out Aid,” New York Times, August 24, 1941; “Flynn Sees Slap at Foreign Policy,” Los Angeles Times, September 12, 1941; “Victory Seen by Secretary,” Los Angeles Times, September 13, 1941; Linda Lee Reynolds, interview with Joan Maltese, February 2009; “Ship Construction Ahead of Schedule,” New York Times, May 18, 1941; “Seattle Mail Ship Launched in East,” Los Angeles Times, May 25, 1941; “New Line to Orient Approved by U.S.,” New York Times, October 6, 1940; Rene De La Pedraja, A Historical Dictionary of the U.S. Merchant Marine and Shipping Industry: Since the Introduction of Steam (Santa Barbara: Greenwood, 1994); “Expanded Service of Line Approved,” New York Times, November 7, 1940; Divorce suit, Elizabeth Dillard Reynolds v. Richard Joshua Reynolds, 1946, Forsyth County records.

  7. LOVE AND WAR

  Political resignations, family trouble: Gene Whitman, “Mayor Reynolds Hit Apathy,” Twin City Sentinel, December 16, 1964; Letter, Franklin D. Roosevelt to Dick Reynolds, July 30, 1942, PPF 7370, F
ranklin D. Roosevelt Library; Letter, Richard J. Reynolds, Treasurer, DNC to Franklin D. Roosevelt, June 4, 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library; Memorandum, Edward J. Flynn to Franklin D. Roosevelt, June 17, 1942, Franklin D. Roosevelt Library; Reynolds family member (anonymous), interview with Joan Maltese, February 2009; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf.

  Marriage abandoned: Muriel Reynolds papers, Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; “R. J. Reynolds to Marry: Son of Tobacco Firm Founder to Marian Byrne, Actress,” New York Times, August 7, 1946, p. 19; “R. J. Reynolds Weds,” New York Times, August 8, 1946.

  San Diego, California, 1944: Muriel Reynolds papers; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; “Dick Reynolds Weds an Actress,” The Landmark, August 8, 1946.

  Active service: Muriel Reynolds papers; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; Wilson, For the People of North Carolina; Clay Marston, interview correspondence with Joan Maltese, June 2009.

  Postwar activities: Tursi, Winston-Salem; Divorce suit, Elizabeth Dillard Reynolds v. Richard Joshua Reynolds, 1946; Cornelia Walker Bailey, interview with the author, September 2008; Forsyth County records; “Reynolds Tobacco Heir Files Suit for Divorce,” New York Times, June 1, 1946; “R. J. Reynolds Sues Wife,” New York Times, June 1, 1946; “Divorce Granted to Mrs. R. J. Reynolds,” New York Times, June 25, 1946, p. 23; “Mrs. Reynolds Agrees to Divorce Settlement,” Los Angeles Times, June 15, 1946.

  Enter wife no. 2: “R. J. Reynolds to Marry: Son of Tobacco Firm Founder to Marian Byrne, Actress,” New York Times, August 7, 1946, p. 19; “R. J. Reynolds Weds,” New York Times, August 8, 1946; “Dick Reynolds Weds an Actress,” The Landmark, August 8, 1946; Muriel Reynolds papers; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; “Tobacco Tycoon Tosses Surprise Party,” The Times Recorder, December 13, 1947; Divorce Suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952, Dade County records; Suit, Marianne O’Brien Reynolds v. Estate of Richard J. Reynolds, 1975, McIntosh County records; “National Aid Given State Democrats,” New York Times, October 30, 1946; Cornelia Walker Bailey and Christena Bledsoe, God, Dr. Buzzard, and the Bolito Man: A Saltwater Geechee Talks About Life on Sapelo Island, Georgia (New York: Anchor, 2001); Sullivan, Sapelo: A History; “President’s Wartime Aide Heads Caribou Mines,” New York Times, March 2, 1950; “Parties List Funds in State Campaign,” New York Times, December 1, 1944; R. E. G. Davies, Delta: An Airline and Its Aircraft (McLean, VA: Paladwr, 1990); Pony Duke and Jason Thomas, Too Rich: The Family Secrets of Doris Duke (New York: HarperCollins, 1995); Isabella Wall, Marty Wall, and Robert Bruce Woodcox, Chasing Rubi: The Truth About Porfirio Rubirosa, the Last Playboy (Newport Beach, CA: Literary Press, 2005).

  The Knickerbocker Ball: Muriel Laurence, “Letters to the Times,” New York Times, December 15, 1941; Muriel Laurence, “London,” New York Times, December 20, 1941; “Marriages: Mr. R. D. A. Greenough and Mrs. M. Allison-Laurence,” The Times (London), October 10, 1946; Clay Marston, interview correspondence with Joan Maltese, June 2009; “Mrs. M. A. Laurence Married in Prague,” New York Times, October 15, 1946; Marriage certificate for Richard Greenough and Muriel Laurence, 1946, City of Westminster General Register Office, London; Muriel Laurence, “Shortage of Food Weakening the French,” New York Times, November 15, 1943; Muriel Reynolds papers; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952.

  8. DESTINY CALLS

  Going-away party: Muriel Reynolds papers.

  Muriel and Eleanor: Muriel Reynolds papers.

  The Ritz: Muriel Reynolds papers; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952; Duke and Thomas, Too Rich; Wall et al., Chasing Rubi; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; Erwin, “Dick Reynolds,” State Magazine, August 16, 1941; “Tobacco Heir Divorced,” New York Times, August 8, 1952.

  9. DICK AND MURIEL’S SECRET AFFAIR

  The courtship: Muriel Reynolds papers; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1960, McIntosh County records (including motions, depositions, testimony); Divorce suit Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1962.

  The Italian idyll: Muriel Reynolds papers.

  10. ON THE RUN

  Dick’s code name: Muriel Reynolds papers.

  Return to America: Jay Te Winburn, “Mary K. Babcock Married in South,” New York Times, September 2, 1951; Tursi, Winston-Salem; Thomas K. Hearn III, Wake Forest University (Charleston: Arcadia, 2003); Muriel Reynolds papers.

  Trouble at One Beekman Place: Suit, Marianne O’Brien Reynolds v. Chemical Bank & Trust Company, 1951–1952, New York County records; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952; Muriel Reynolds papers; “A Spell of Unemployment,” Time, December 21, 1953.

  Journey to Mexico: Muriel Reynolds papers.

  11. RETURN TO SAPELO ISLAND

  Christmas 1952: Muriel Reynolds papers.

  Sapelo Island, 1952: Sullivan, Sapelo: A History; Burnette Ligh-tle Vanstory, Georgia’s Land of Golden Isles (Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1982); Buddy Sullivan, Darien and McIntosh County: Images of America (Charleston: Arcadia, 2000); “President Vacationing on Island in Georgia,” New York Times, April 14, 1939; William S. McFeely, Sapelo’s People: A Long Walk into Freedom (New York: W. W. Norton, 1995); Bailey and Bledsoe, God, Dr. Buzzard, and the Bolito Man; Cornelia Walker Bailey, interview with the author, September 2008; Yvonne Grosvenor, Island tour information, September 2008; Muriel Reynolds papers; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; Michele Nicole Johnson, Sapelo Island’s Hog Hammock, GA (Charleston: Arcadia, 2009); “Works of Art from 40 Tiny Islands,” New York Times, January 23, 1971; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1960; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1962; Clay Marston, interview correspondence with Joan Maltese, June 2009.

  Jamaican adventures: Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1960; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1962; Muriel Reynolds papers; Garraty and Carnes, American National Biography; “Reynolds’ Second Wife to Get $2,000,000,” Los Angeles Times, July 29, 1952.

  Building the Aries, March 1952: Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1960; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1962; “Reynolds’ Second Wife to Get $2,000,000,” Los Angeles Times, July 29, 1952; Suit, Marianne O’Brien Reynolds v. Chemical Bank & Trust Company, 1951–1952; Muriel Reynolds papers; “Concessions Charged on Party Loans,” Los Angeles Times, April 30, 1952; “Olson’s Spending Put Above Income,” New York Times, May 1, 1952; “U.S. Official Defends Political Loan Rule,” New York Times, May 28, 1952.

  12. CRACKS IN THE ROMANCE

  Naming Rubirosa: Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952; “A Spell of Unemployment,” Time, December 21, 1953; “Tobacco Heir Divorced,” New York Times, August 8, 1952; Wall et al., Chasing Rubi.

  Trouble at Hôtel du Nord: Muriel Reynolds papers. Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1960; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1962.

  At Marianne’s: Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1960; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1962.

  13. LE DIVORCE

  Taking care of Josh, settlement agreement: Muriel Reynolds papers; Reynolds family member (anonymous), interview with Joan Maltese, February 2009; Fambrough Brownlee, interview with Joan Maltese, February 2009; “Tobacco Heir Divorced,” New York Times, August 8, 1952; “Reynolds’ Second Wife to Get $2,000,000,” Los Angeles Times, July 29, 1952; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Marianne O’Brien Reynolds, 1952.

  Holy matrimony, August 1952: “Tobacco Heir Divorced,” New York Times, August 8, 1952; “R. J. Reynol
ds Married,” New York Times, August 10, 1952; “Marriages: Mr. R. J. Reynolds and Mrs. M. M. Greenough,” The Times (London), August 18, 1952; “Reynolds on Honeymoon in 60-Room Home,” Los Angeles Times, August 11, 1952; Muriel Reynolds papers; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1960; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1962; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf.

  14. WINSTON-SALEM SOCIETY

  Roaring Gap: Muriel Reynolds papers; Mayer, Reynolda; Howett, A World of Her Own Making.

  Devotion drama: Muriel Reynolds papers; Roy Thompson, “Reynolds Had Many Sides: Wealth, Generosity, Flash,” Winston-Salem Journal, December 17, 1964; Patrick Reynolds and Shachtman, The Gilded Leaf; Mayer, Reynolda; Smith, The Reynolda House Aeolian Organ.

  15. SMITH

  Going down Memory Lane: Muriel Reynolds papers; “R. J. Reynolds Asserts Brother Was Slain,” New York Times, August 25, 1932; Wilson, For the People of North Carolina; Fambrough Brownlee, interview with Joan Maltese, February 2009; Molly Grogan Rawls, Winston-Salem: From the Collection of Frank B. Jones Jr. (Charleston: Arcadia, 2006); Roy Thompson, “Reynolds Had Many Sides: Wealth, Generosity, Flash,” Winston-Salem Journal, December 17, 1964.

  The Launch at Gosport: Rawls, Winston-Salem; Muriel Reynolds papers; Clay Marston, interview correspondence with Joan Maltese, June 2009.

  16. THINGS FALL APART

  Dick’s health, family: “Gone Are the Days When Tobacco Brought Only Wealth,” New York Times, February 26, 1995; Divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1960, and divorce suit, Richard J. Reynolds v. Muriel M. Reynolds, 1962; Clay Marston, interview correspondence with Joan Maltese, June 2009.