Zachary Smith Reynolds
Encyclopedia
Zachary Smith Reynolds
was an American
amateur
aviator
and younger son of R. J. Reynolds.
The Zachary Smith Reynolds story was the basis for two movies, Reckless
, starring Jean Harlow
, and the popular 1950s
classic, Written on the Wind
. The latter was loosely based on a novel by Robert Wilder. In addition, the film Sing, Sinner, Sing
was loosely based upon the allegations surrounding Reynolds' death.
, and Mary Katherine "Katherine" Smith Reynolds.
R.J. Reynolds died in 1918 of pancreatic cancer
, and Katherine Reynolds died in 1924. The Reynolds children then went to live with their uncle, William Neal Reynolds
, and his wife Kate, who did not have children of their own. Reynolds quit school as a teenager to focus on flying planes, which he had a talent for. He was scheduled to receive $17 million from his father's estate at the age of 21.
at midnight on November 16, 1929 soon after he turned 18. She was the daughter of Joseph Franklin Cannon (July 23, 1876 - June 21, 1939) of the Cannon Mills
fortune and Annie Hunt Ludlow (December 9, 1887 - March 10, 1965). They had one child, Anne Cannon Reynolds II (August 23, 1930 - May 11, 2003). Due to Reynolds's affair with singer and actress Libby Holman
, the Reynoldses were divorced in Reno, Nevada
November 23, 1931. After their divorce, Anne Reynolds married and divorced Charlotte, North Carolina
realtor Frank Brandon Smith, Jr. (May 21, 1906 - June 25, 1967) in 1934.
Smith Reynolds married Libby Holman
on November 29, 1931 in the parlor of Monroe, Michigan
Justice of the Peace
Fred M. Schoepfer, just six days after his divorce from Cannon was final. Reynolds had asked Holman to marry him while still married to Cannon and had reportedly told her he would kill himself if she refused his offer. Holman, although a celebrated Broadway actress, gave up her career to preside over the Reynolds estate, Reynolda House. They threw many parties there.
Holman gave birth to Christopher Smith "Topper" Reynolds three months prematurely on January 11, 1933 in Pennsylvania Hospital
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
, the baby weighed 3.5 pounds. Topper Reynolds died in August 1950 at age 17 in a climbing accident on Mount Whitney.
biplane
built by American Aeronautical Corporation in Port Washington, New York
under license from Italian
manufacturer Savoia-Marchetti
in the spring of 1931, it was customized for him to have a single seat and extra fuel capacity as he planned to fly it around the world.
After a couple of aborted starts, Reynolds began a long-distance flight (London
to Hong Kong
) in December 1931 right after his marriage to Holman. She was touring the United States
in a road production of Three's A Crowd, reprising her Broadway theatre
role. His solo flight was not really publicized and he was completing the ocean portions via boat. His flight journal survives.
pistol shot through his head on the early morning of July 6, 1932, after a 21st birthday party for his friend Charles Gideon Hill, Jr. (July 5, 1911 - October 18, 1960), who was also Anne Cannon Reynolds's first cousin, at his Winston-Salem, North Carolina
estate known as Reynolda. His wife Libby Holman
Reynolds was pregnant with their child.
Reynolds' boyhood friend and personal assistant Albert Bailey "Ab" Walker had stayed over after the party, and he reported that he heard a gunshot from downstairs and immediately afterwards Holman ran to the balcony and shouted, "Smith's killed himself!" Walker said he found Reynolds bleeding and unconscious
upstairs, with a bullet
wound in his right temple. With Holman's help, Walker brought Reynolds to North Carolina Baptist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead four hours later at 5:25AM on July 6.
The death was originally ruled a suicide
, but a coroner
's inquiry subsequently ruled the death a murder. Both Walker and Holman were considered suspects in his death and were both indicted for first-degree murder
of Reynolds—Holman for the murder itself and Walker as an accomplice. The murder attracted national attention. Reporters printed allegations that Holman had conducted an affair with Walker. Reynolds' uncle William Neal Reynolds
told the district attorney
that the family supported dropping the charges; the prosecutor eventually did so for lack of evidence, and no trial was ever held.
) and the main library at Wake Forest University
are named in his honor.
was an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
amateur
Amateur
An amateur is generally considered a person attached to a particular pursuit, study, or science, without pay and often without formal training....
aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
and younger son of R. J. Reynolds.
The Zachary Smith Reynolds story was the basis for two movies, Reckless
Reckless (1935 film)
Reckless is a 1935 American musical film directed by Victor Fleming and starring Jean Harlow, William Powell and Franchot Tone. The story was based on the scandal of the 1931 marriage between torch singer Libby Holman and tobacco heir Zachary Smith Reynolds and his subsequent alleged...
, starring Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde" , Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute...
, and the popular 1950s
1950s
The 1950s or The Fifties was the decade that began on January 1, 1950 and ended on December 31, 1959. The decade was the sixth decade of the 20th century...
classic, Written on the Wind
Written on the Wind
Written on the Wind is a 1956 American drama film directed by Douglas Sirk. It stars Rock Hudson, Lauren Bacall, Robert Stack and Dorothy Malone....
. The latter was loosely based on a novel by Robert Wilder. In addition, the film Sing, Sinner, Sing
Sing, Sinner, Sing
-Plot summary:Leila Hyams plays a singer who is accused of her husband's murder. At the time the movie was released, it was recognized as being loosely based on the 1932 Libby Holman-Zachary Smith Reynolds case.-Cast:*Paul Lukas as Phil Carida...
was loosely based upon the allegations surrounding Reynolds' death.
Early life
Reynolds (also known as Z. Smith Reynolds, or just Smith) was the youngest child of R. J. Reynolds, founder of the R.J. Reynolds Tobacco CompanyR.J. Reynolds Tobacco Company
The R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company , based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina and founded by R. J. Reynolds in 1875, is the second-largest tobacco company in the U.S. . RJR is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Reynolds American Inc...
, and Mary Katherine "Katherine" Smith Reynolds.
R.J. Reynolds died in 1918 of pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer
Pancreatic cancer refers to a malignant neoplasm of the pancreas. The most common type of pancreatic cancer, accounting for 95% of these tumors is adenocarcinoma, which arises within the exocrine component of the pancreas. A minority arises from the islet cells and is classified as a...
, and Katherine Reynolds died in 1924. The Reynolds children then went to live with their uncle, William Neal Reynolds
William Neal Reynolds
William Neal Reynolds was a U.S. sportsman and businessman with R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which was founded by his brother R. J. Reynolds.-Early life:...
, and his wife Kate, who did not have children of their own. Reynolds quit school as a teenager to focus on flying planes, which he had a talent for. He was scheduled to receive $17 million from his father's estate at the age of 21.
Personal life
Reynolds married Anne Cannon in York, South CarolinaYork, South Carolina
York is a small city in York County, South Carolina, United States. The city of York is also the county seat of York County. The population was approximately 6,985 at the 2000 census and the 2009 population estimate for the city...
at midnight on November 16, 1929 soon after he turned 18. She was the daughter of Joseph Franklin Cannon (July 23, 1876 - June 21, 1939) of the Cannon Mills
Cannon Mills Company
The Cannon Mills Company was an American textile company founded by James William Cannon, based in Kannapolis, North Carolina. It was founded in 1888 and went bankrupt in July 2003...
fortune and Annie Hunt Ludlow (December 9, 1887 - March 10, 1965). They had one child, Anne Cannon Reynolds II (August 23, 1930 - May 11, 2003). Due to Reynolds's affair with singer and actress Libby Holman
Libby Holman
Libby Holman was an American torch singer and stage actress who also achieved notoriety for her complex and unconventional personal life.-Early life:...
, the Reynoldses were divorced in Reno, Nevada
Reno, Nevada
Reno is the county seat of Washoe County, Nevada, United States. The city has a population of about 220,500 and is the most populous Nevada city outside of the Las Vegas metropolitan area...
November 23, 1931. After their divorce, Anne Reynolds married and divorced Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
realtor Frank Brandon Smith, Jr. (May 21, 1906 - June 25, 1967) in 1934.
Smith Reynolds married Libby Holman
Libby Holman
Libby Holman was an American torch singer and stage actress who also achieved notoriety for her complex and unconventional personal life.-Early life:...
on November 29, 1931 in the parlor of Monroe, Michigan
Monroe, Michigan
Monroe is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 20,733 at the 2010 census. It is the largest city and county seat of Monroe County. The city is bordered on the south by Monroe Charter Township, but both are politically independent. The city is located approximately 14 miles ...
Justice of the Peace
Justice of the Peace
A justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
Fred M. Schoepfer, just six days after his divorce from Cannon was final. Reynolds had asked Holman to marry him while still married to Cannon and had reportedly told her he would kill himself if she refused his offer. Holman, although a celebrated Broadway actress, gave up her career to preside over the Reynolds estate, Reynolda House. They threw many parties there.
Holman gave birth to Christopher Smith "Topper" Reynolds three months prematurely on January 11, 1933 in Pennsylvania Hospital
Pennsylvania Hospital
Pennsylvania Hospital is a hospital in Center City, Philadelphia, affiliated with the University of Pennsylvania Health System . Founded on May 11, 1751 by Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Bond, it was the first hospital in the United States...
in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
, the baby weighed 3.5 pounds. Topper Reynolds died in August 1950 at age 17 in a climbing accident on Mount Whitney.
Aviation
Reynolds was an avid aviator, as was older brother "Dick". Smith bought a S.56C amphibianAmphibious aircraft
An amphibious aircraft or amphibian is an aircraft that can take off and land on either land or water. Fixed-wing amphibious aircraft are seaplanes that are equipped with retractable wheels, at the expense of extra weight and complexity, plus diminished range and fuel economy compared to planes...
biplane
Biplane
A biplane is a fixed-wing aircraft with two superimposed main wings. The Wright brothers' Wright Flyer used a biplane design, as did most aircraft in the early years of aviation. While a biplane wing structure has a structural advantage, it produces more drag than a similar monoplane wing...
built by American Aeronautical Corporation in Port Washington, New York
Port Washington, New York
Port Washington is a hamlet and census-designated place in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the community population was 15,846....
under license from Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
manufacturer Savoia-Marchetti
Savoia-Marchetti
-History:The original company was founded in 1915 as SIAI . After World War I gained the name Savoia, when it acquired the Società Anonima Costruzioni Aeronautiche Savoia, an Italian aircraft company founded by Umberto Savoia in 1915.The name Marchetti was added when chief designer Alessandro...
in the spring of 1931, it was customized for him to have a single seat and extra fuel capacity as he planned to fly it around the world.
After a couple of aborted starts, Reynolds began a long-distance flight (London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
to Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Hong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
) in December 1931 right after his marriage to Holman. She was touring the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in a road production of Three's A Crowd, reprising her Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
role. His solo flight was not really publicized and he was completing the ocean portions via boat. His flight journal survives.
Death
Reynolds died under mysterious circumstances from an automatic .32 caliber MauserMauser
Mauser was a German arms manufacturer of a line of bolt-action rifles and pistols from the 1870s to 1995. Mauser designs were built for the German armed forces...
pistol shot through his head on the early morning of July 6, 1932, after a 21st birthday party for his friend Charles Gideon Hill, Jr. (July 5, 1911 - October 18, 1960), who was also Anne Cannon Reynolds's first cousin, at his Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, with a 2010 population of 229,617. Winston-Salem is the county seat and largest city of Forsyth County and the fourth-largest city in the state. Winston-Salem is the second largest municipality in the Piedmont Triad region and is home to...
estate known as Reynolda. His wife Libby Holman
Libby Holman
Libby Holman was an American torch singer and stage actress who also achieved notoriety for her complex and unconventional personal life.-Early life:...
Reynolds was pregnant with their child.
Reynolds' boyhood friend and personal assistant Albert Bailey "Ab" Walker had stayed over after the party, and he reported that he heard a gunshot from downstairs and immediately afterwards Holman ran to the balcony and shouted, "Smith's killed himself!" Walker said he found Reynolds bleeding and unconscious
Unconsciousness
Unconsciousness is the condition of being not conscious—in a mental state that involves complete or near-complete lack of responsiveness to people and other environmental stimuli. Being in a comatose state or coma is a type of unconsciousness. Fainting due to a drop in blood pressure and a...
upstairs, with a bullet
Bullet
A bullet is a projectile propelled by a firearm, sling, or air gun. Bullets do not normally contain explosives, but damage the intended target by impact and penetration...
wound in his right temple. With Holman's help, Walker brought Reynolds to North Carolina Baptist Hospital, where he was pronounced dead four hours later at 5:25AM on July 6.
The death was originally ruled a suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
, but a coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
's inquiry subsequently ruled the death a murder. Both Walker and Holman were considered suspects in his death and were both indicted for first-degree murder
Murder
Murder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
of Reynolds—Holman for the murder itself and Walker as an accomplice. The murder attracted national attention. Reporters printed allegations that Holman had conducted an affair with Walker. Reynolds' uncle William Neal Reynolds
William Neal Reynolds
William Neal Reynolds was a U.S. sportsman and businessman with R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company, which was founded by his brother R. J. Reynolds.-Early life:...
told the district attorney
District attorney
In many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
that the family supported dropping the charges; the prosecutor eventually did so for lack of evidence, and no trial was ever held.
Legacy
Reynolds' siblings underwent a prolonged fight to receive their share of Reynolds' estate, after which they established a trust in his name that provided for his namesake foundation, the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation. As a result, many things in the Winston-Salem, NC area are named for Reynolds. The local airport (Smith Reynolds AirportSmith Reynolds Airport
Smith Reynolds Airport is a public airport located 3 miles northeast of the city of Winston-Salem in Forsyth County, North Carolina, USA. The airport has two runways, and is used primarily for general aviation and flight training, although some passenger operations take place there...
) and the main library at Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University
Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational university in the U.S. state of North Carolina, founded in 1834. The university received its name from its original location in Wake Forest, north of Raleigh, North Carolina, the state capital. The Reynolda Campus, the university's main campus, is...
are named in his honor.
External links
- Winston-Salem Journal Series Death at Reynolda - Z. Smith Reynolds
- The Z Smith Reynolds Foundation
- Z. Smith Reynolds Airport
- Biography of Libby Holman Reynolds on the official Jane Bowles site
- Zachary Smith Reynolds' grave site
Further reading
- Reynolds, Patrick and Shachtman, Tom, The Gilded Leaf, iUniverse, Inc., 2006, ISBN 0-595-36658-9
- Machlin, Milt, Libby, Dorchester Publishing Co., Inc., 1990, ISBN 0-8439-3028-4