Kid Carolina: R. J. Reynolds Jr., a Tobacco Fortune, and the Mysterious Death of a Southern Icon

by Heidi Schnakenberg

The Reynolds tobacco family was an American dynasty like the Rockefellers, Vanderbilts, and Astors. R.J. "Dick" Reynolds Jr. was born into privilege and decadence, but his disastrous personal life eventually destroyed almost every relationship he cherished and stole his health at a relatively young age.
Dick Reynolds was dubbed "Kid Carolina" when as a teenager, he ran away from home and stowed away as part of the crew on a freighter. For the rest of his life he'd turn to the sea, instead of his friends and family, for comfort. Dick disappeared for months at a time, leading the dual life of a business mogul and troubled soul, both of which became legendary.
Despite his personal demons, Dick played a pivotal role in shaping twentieth-century America through his business savvy and politics. He developed Delta and Eastern Airlines, single handedly secured FDR's third term election, and served as mayor of Winston-Salem, where his tobacco fortune was built. Yet below the gilded surface lay a turbulent life of alcoholism, infidelity, and loneliness. His chaotic existence culminated in a surprise fourth marriage and was shortly followed by a strange death, the end of a life every bit as awe-inspiring as it was disturbing.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History

352 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Heidi Schnakenberg is a screenwriter whose first assignment out of college was a commission to write a film adaptation for Oscar-winning director Francis Ford Coppola. She is also a journalist and business editor who has written for dozens of Fortune and Global 500 companies, and her columns have appeared in several national and international publications. Heidi is a graduate of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. She lives in California with her husband and two sons.

Reviews

[Pam Windley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this just in time for a new exhibit at Reynolda House. This book examines the life of the eldest child of one of the wealthiest families at the turn of the 1900's. The parents of the four Reynolds children passed away so early in their lives. That combination, great wealth and young orphans, made a significant impact on the life of the oldest son.
The effect: a different lens to see the development of Winston Salem, NC.

[Sarah Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This biography chronicles the life of heir to the Reynolds tobacco fortune, R.J. "Dick" Reynolds Jr. Dick was born into privilege and wealth. But his father's death when he was only 11, followed closely by his mother's death when he was still a teen, coupled with the vast sums of money at his disposal led to a life full of personal demons and excess, particularly when it came to alcohol. His was a life of contradictions. He cruelly left multiple wives after feigning ongoing love, largely abandoned his children, lived a life of extreme extravagance, and could be abusive and cutting, particularly when drunk. But he was also the hero of the every man due to his good works as a mayor Winston-Salem, a generous philanthropist, particularly in his hometown of Winston-Salem, and wasn't afraid of deprivation or physical danger, particularly when it came to life on the sea. Perhaps most befuddling of all are the final years of his life, when he married a mysterious fourth wife, disappeared to Switzerland, apparently disinherited his six sons, and died under suspicious circumstances.

R. J. Reynolds Jr.'s life is absolutely fascinating. Seemingly every page was filled with surprising and shocking events. From stowing away on a boat, the mysterious shooting death of his brother, the colossal sized homes and multiple yachts, the arsenal of fulltime employees, his interest in aviation that led to friendships with Amelia Earhart and Charles Lindbergh to securing FDR's third term as president, this book is quite the ride through his tumultuous life. On a personal level, as someone who has lived and spent a lot of time in Winston-Salem, where he and his family's names are everywhere and their financial legacy evident throughout, it was of personal interest. I loved reading about places I have visited like the Reynolda House, which was originally built by Dick's mother.

It's sad that his father's legacy went so awry in Dick's final years. From the author's account, his father R.J. was an honest man who earned his fortune through hard work and fair treatment of his employees: "R.J. was adored by the city - not just for the jobs he brought to North Carolina, but for his generous treatment of his employees and his philanthropy. Taking his wife's advice, R.J. was one of the first employers in America to implement a nine-to-five weekday and five-day workweek and to offer employees paid benefits, including health care, vacation time, and on-site child care" (20). While glimmers of his father's character and influence are evident in Dick's life, much of it is obscured by alcoholism and excess and Dick certainly never worked so hard or was as devoted to his children as his father. On the other hand, the author didn't even attempt touch the complicated Reynolds legacy of heavy marketing and selling of tobacco to millions of Americans, which seemed like a glaring omission.

My one disappointment with this book was the lack of an experienced biographer to convey Dick's life story. There seems to be a lack of editorial support as well. For instance, literally the first sentence of chapter one says Richard Joshua Reynolds Sr. was from "Critz County, Virginia" but no such place exists and this should read Critz, Virginia (1). This mistake so early on made me question what other mistakes the author made that were left uncorrected, but being unfamiliar with the subject matter, who can say. The writing was also subpar and confusing at times. Like this extreme run-on sentence: "As the Reynolds family resumed tobacco farming, Hardin's boys, including R.J. Sr., who had severe dyslexia and dropped out of college early in his academic career, took wagonloads of tobacco to markets in numerous states, including Tennessee, Kentucky, and North Carolina" (3). The most well written and detailed section of the book is the one from Dick's third wife Muriel's perspective, clearly all gleaned from her memoirs. This comprises a significant chunk of the book and becomes less Dick's biography and more Muriel's. The early chapters, before the author could borrow from Muriel's recollections is more shaky on details and writing style alike. But, despite these weaknesses, I was delighted to read this biography and learn more about a family who have had a tremendous impact on the region where I live but also on the country as a whole.

[Dana S.G. Myers · Rating 4 out of 5]

RJ Reynolds Sr. hired my grandfather, a 15 year old son of a tobacco farmer, to work as a general laborer and brick mason at the Reynolds house on 5th St in Winston Salem - in 1910. Through the years, my grandfather moved from the 5th St House to the Reynolda Bungalow on Reynolda Road. he planted trees along Reynolda, helped develop the formal gardens with a mythical looking hydrangea hedge around the sunken gardens outdoors, and eventually managed the florist shop and greenhouse. It was fabled that Dick Reynolds asked my grandfather (Irvin) to go to a private island and become a gardener there. Irvin wanted to go, but a tie to family and a settled lifestyle in Winston-Salem kept him tied to the area in spite of Dick's urging with promises of adventure.

Kid Carolina tells the story of the oldest Reynolds boy, RJ Jr (Dick) through his troubled and extravagant life. Schnakenberg uses source material that gave a perspective predominantly placed from Dick's 3rd wife - and uses his experience with her to determine the tone of the rest of the story.

Overall an enjoyable read - although there was a deep focus on particular parts of his life and minimal information on others. Having lived close to the story, I would have liked to have read more about the midnight autopsy on Smith in the middle of Salem Cemetery and Dick's connection to the grand cover-up of the death of his baby brother. In addition, a little more interest could have been pointed toward Dick's earlier years and school career, but admittedly the author was working with the source material which she had access to.

If you're a local or curious observer of the very wealthy, Kid Carolina offers a glimpse into the life and history of the fabled Reynolds family. An interesting look at an interesting family in an interesting town. A nice read.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm fascinated by the old Reynolds Tobacco family and operations. The book digs into almost every facet of Dick Reynolds' life and how he handled inheriting millions and millions of dollars. The man was a party animal but was savvy in business, his personal life, and other endeavors. It's apparent the author did extensive research and sifted through thousands of pages of documents and hours of interviews. No stone was left unturned. If you're from North Carolina or Winston-Salem, it's a great read. Dick moved around a lot throughout his life so the story takes place not only in Winston-Salem but England, New York, Salepo Island and Europe.

[Michael Clifford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about the son the tobacco Reynolds. He lived a pretty crazy life; married 4 times including shortly before his death, built numerous yachts. Sadly, he was an alcoholic which ultimately contributed to his early death.
This was an interesting book although it will not win any Pulitzer's.

[Sandi J Carr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tragic story of a rich and famous family


This book to me proved what I've heard all my life, "you can't buy happiness". RJR's life is testament to that. A well written book I couldn't put down.

[Ted Mccormack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Despite some factual errors [no such thing as Critz County, VA] and grammar mistakes. good review of Reynolds' life. One can tell that the memoir of third wife provided about a portion of the book.

[Herb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good. Interesting subject, deserved a more talented biographer.

[Reese Battle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings, did not like the main character but also an interesting story. Everytime I thought it would get better I hated him more!

[Carl Rollyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of a great tobacco fortune, a playboy of the Western world, a wayward husband four times over, a dashing yachtsman and aviator, successful entrepreneur and diabolical dipsomaniac - not to mention a generous benefactor to N.C. State University and other worthy North Carolina institutions and causes.

But wait! Not only did R.J. Reynolds Jr. confound and outclass virtually everyone who crossed or catered to him, he also died in mysterious circumstances, having just wed a young German woman in a ceremony in which his back was turned from the registrar who signed the marriage certificate. Was the marriage a fraud? And how about his last will? His one-page scrawl disinherited his sons and delivered his millions to his beloved Annemarie, the lucky No. 4.

Heidi Schnakenberg does a splendid job of sorting through the life of a man who early on eschewed involvement in the management of his family's tobacco holdings, a vast business concern that had survived the Civil War and other disasters. Unlike many of his robber baron contemporaries, R.J. Reynolds Sr. did not engage in ruthless tactics. True, he cut a backroom deal with a tobacco trust - but that was a temporary maneuver that bought R.J. Sr. some time to recover control of his company.

As Schnakenberg reports, in Winston-Salem, R.J. Sr. was "adored... not just for the jobs he brought to North Carolina, but for his generous treatment of his employees and his philanthropy." His innovations included a 9-to-5 workday, a five-day workweek, paid benefits including health care, on-site child care, as well as nutritious hot lunches and housing for female workers.

At one time R.J. Reynolds, through its Camel brand, dominated almost 50 percent of the cigarette market. Yet none of R.J. Sr.'s accomplishments meant much to R.J. Jr. - or perhaps the father's example intimidated the son, who was heard to say that there was no way he could equal his father's feats in the tobacco kingdom. Instead, R.J. Jr. ("Dick") preferred to engage in fitful forays into other businesses and enterprises, including the establishment of Delta Airlines and masterminding FDR's break from precedent when he successfully pursued a third term.

On his first adventure on a freighter, where he earned the moniker "Kid Carolina," Dick Reynolds wanted to be his own man, to embrace the freedom of the open sea - and tell no one he came from money. Although he learned to embrace a lavish lifestyle and lord it over others - especially the wives he would court extravagantly and then later accuse of treachery (including plots against his life) - the desire to live exactly as he chose makes him a fascinating monster. In fact, his estranged third wife, Muriel, obsessively collected material about his life, seeking to discover the truth about his final two years.

With complete access to Muriel's research, Reynolds' biographer has confected a compelling, indeed an obsessive narrative, perfectly poised between resolving certain conundrums of her subject's life and giving full play to episodes that must remain a mystery. That is unless Annemarie, still very much alive, might be willing to tell us exactly what happened to the gold Dick stashed on Sapello, his private island near the Georgia shore.

North Carolina natives will certainly relish this page-turner, but it is also written with such grace that anyone intrigued with one of the country's great families or interested in reading about a true American eccentric will find this biography irresistible.

[Zeb Kantrowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

RJ Reynolds(Dick) Jr, was not born with just the proverbial "silver spoon" in his mouth, but the whole silver service, with matching Wedgewood china and Waterford crystal glassware. He was an accomplished Yachtsman, Businessman and entrepreneur. In the 1920s he helped form what became Eastern Airlines, sold it an built Delta Airlines from a crop dusting company to one of the largest airlines in America by the 1950s. During the 1930s he raced and won, many of the most prestigious sailboat races of that time in boats that he designed and navigated. He donated money to build the first parks in Winston-Salem, and money to upgrade the schools for both blacks and whites.

The money and land he donated to Wake Forest University allowed it to move from it's rural campus north of Raleigh, NC to it's current campus in Winston-Salem. Next to the college, Dick helped build the 'top ten' medical school that is part of the college. He established a foundation in his brother Smith's name that build the local airport and funded millions of dollars of community projects over the years. He donate money and parts of his private island (off the Carolina coast) to University of George to set-up a marine biology school that studies tides and salt-marsh ecology.

But, Dick had a dark side of alcoholism and a self-destructive attitude to his his health and personal life. At his death at 58, he left three ex-wives and six sons (who he disinherited in his will) and a German wife who gave birth to a daughter three days after his death. He fought two controversial divorces that cost him over half his fortune and died under mysterious circumstances in a small village in Switzerland where his fourth wife had ensconced him and kept him away from his families (except for an estranged sister) for the last two years of his life.

This is as unbiased a history of this man that it is possible to write, without being able to interview those people who took care of him at the end of his life. His actions to his sons, who he left to be brought up by their mothers; had the same effect on them as the early death and 'cold' personality that his father, RJR,Sr. had on him. Though mostly out of the public eye, his sons always complained about their absentee father who took little interest in their lives, except for short periods of time, when he was coerced into dealing with them by his second and third wives. When your father dies and you only (eventually) receive $3 million (each) from and estate valued at over $50 million (in 1964 dollars), it makes you feel unwanted. (Yeah, life can be real tough!)

Zeb Kantrowitz

[Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kid Carolina is a biography of R.J. Reynolds Jr, of R.J. Reynolds tobacco fame. I found this book randomly browsing on Amazon one day.

I like biographies and this one promised a bit of mystery as its subtitle was "R. J. Reynolds Jr., a Tobacco Fortune, and the Mysterious Death of a Southern Icon." I recognized the name R.J. Reynolds and know that the tobacco wealth funded a lot of charitable activities in the South. That's about all I knew though, so I was able to read Kid Carolina without any prior knowledge, which made the book seem really fresh.

Richard Joshua "Dick" Reynolds had huge amounts of tobacco wealth, but wasn't involved in the R.J. Reynolds corporation. He did, however, get Delta Airlines off the ground and was involved in many different business activities. The real meat of the book was about his personal life though. And what a train wreck it was. Just like any train wreck, it was hard to turn away from the mess that was Reynolds's life.

Reynolds had a drinking problem. He killed a motorcyclist in a DUI when he was only 21. He drank himself to death. Sadly, his alcohol problem seemed to take away from the good he did in his life. He gave lots of money to Wake Forest University and the University of Georgia, he presented some forward thinking ideas during the time he was mayor of Winston-Salem, NC, he created parks, and was a good employer. He was a very talented sailor.

Reynolds was on his forth marriage when he died. He abandoned his kids. He trashed his ex-wives. Really, his personal life was one disaster after another.

Kid Carolina was an interesting read and a warning of the dangers of alcohol abuse. Reynolds was a smart guy and had the world at his fingertips. Unfortunately, all too often, he wasted the opportunities he was given and hurt those around him.

It's hard to say what actually happened with Reynolds's mysterious death, but I thought the author did a good job of showing the different information without drawing too many conclusions. It will definitely keep me wondering.

Good biography of him and social history of the wealth of early-mid century US, interesting whodunit of death, and a morality lesson (good one, not preachy) all wrapped up in one. This one was a winner.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fascinating biography of R.J. Reynolds, Jr., the heir of the Reynolds tobacco company based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Reynolds grew up in a family that was every much a dynasty among the industrial rich in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Reynolds was not involved in the day to day operations of Reynolds Tobacco and, in fact, until late in his life he did not even sit on the board of directors. However, he was instrumental in creating both Delta Airlines and Eastern Airlines, he served in the Navy in Pacific combat during World War II, and he served as Chairman of the Democratic National Committee when it raised money for FDR's successful third term presidential race. Unfortunately, Dick Reynolds was less successful in his personal life. He gained his nickname of "Kid Carolina" when he ran away from home while still a teenager and worked on the crew of a freighter and his love of the sea lasted until the end of his life. He went to North Carolina State University with no fanfare and when his mother informed the college that the heir to the Reynolds tobacco fortune was living on campus, he finished the semester and then quietly dropped out. He had four marriages and numerous children--none of whom he formed a close relationship with and his alcoholism dulled and shortened what could have been a much more successful life.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting , tons of detail and facts about RJR Jr’s life and relationships or lack there of. Such a tragic and short life, goes to show money isnt everything and doesn’t always guarantee happiness. Also I wonder how his family relationships would’ve been different had his parents not died so young , and how behaviors of those around him would’ve been different had money not been such a huge motivation. Also it is ironic that a family who made their millions on cigarettes had so many early deaths from health problems not that I would wish that on anybody. Disturbing that things for his lineage could have been much different with different life choices. Also for being raised in W-S, I mainly knew of the numerous donations of the Reynolds family but not much about the details of their personal lives. I am now interested in reading some of the other books on this subject .

[Joan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heidi Schnakenberg discloses the true tale of the squandered, wastrel life of this recipient of the lucky DNA lottery in her biography of R. J. "Dick" Reynolds, Jr.

This scion of the Reynolds tobacco lineage was born with conspicuous economic advantages and bedeviled by family tragedies. Dick Reynolds was a prodigious lover and sinner. His addictions to love, tobacco and alcohol resulted in mayhem throughout his privileged life, though a charming personality and generous nature won him many friends of questionable motives. The picture that results is that of a chaotic, overindulgent life. Let's say that it was safer to read about it than to have shared in it, especially as a wife or lover.

[Kate Irwin-smiler · Rating 3 out of 5]

It started off as an oddly fawning biography but it seemed that Schnakenberg got less enamored of Reynolds through his adult escapades. At times it read like a travelogue of Reynolds' drinking, which was less than inspiring reading. I'd rather have more time spent on his mysterious death & the aftermath - that was probably the most interesting part of the book, but dealt with in a single chapter and epilogue, but definitely skimmed over a lot of material.

I'll be reading The Gilded Leaf and Libby Holman: Body and Soul (because the chapter on Z Smith Reynolds' death was fascinating too) soon.

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Confirming my realization that I am a true non-fiction girl, I really enjoyed this book. I had a special connection to it because it is written by a high school classmate of mine. Heidi did a great job telling the story of the life of R.J. Reynolds, Jr. Though it's non-fiction, it reads like fiction because as it details the life of a rich and famous man of the 20th century, it is filled with drama, a little mystery and adventures around the world. Thanks for writing the book, Heidi...I have no idea how you did it when your son was so young!!

[Stephani · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book covers much of the information in The Gilded Leaf by Patrick Reynolds yet delves more into RJ Reynolds Jr's life and mysterious death. Schnakenberg relies heavily on court testimonies as well Muriel's, RJ Jr's third wife, papers to write this account. I felt Muriel's section of the book was thus more engaging. I would like to see more about Blitz and Marianne, his first two wives. Again, fascinating read as to how money can leave a family destroyed and unconnected yet provide so much, philanthropically to a community.

[Naomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

R.J. Reynolds Jr. was a very generous man with anyone that was not a family member or one of his 4 wives. An alcoholic from his early youth, he was a miserable excuse for a husband and a non-existent father for his seven children. He did many wonderful things for his state of North Carolina and his country. But his family's business founded on the tobacco industry also has touched the lives of all of us through the devistation it has caused.

[Mary Mendenhall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book pretty fascinating....especially as a resident of Winston-Salem and a WFU graduate. The history of the Reynolds family is amazing...they really founded Winston-Salem. This is a great perspective on this family....as well as the corrupting influence of having too much darn money and too much time on your hands. The book includes it all...historical perspective, romance, corruption, adventure, and mystery. I would say it was pretty well entertaining!

[Rick Segers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew nothing of this story going into the book. It was fascinating account of the lifestyle of the pre-jet jet set. There are hundreds of stories of wealth, marriage, divorce, and more set among that group in that generation. It almost makes the current crop of "celebrities" seem pale by comparison.
I live on Saint Simons Island which is mentioned in the book and just a few miles from his beloved Sapelo Island and Darien, Georgia. So this story had some strong local connections.

[Katie Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extensively researched account of the life of Richard J. Reynolds, Jr., heir to the tobacco fortune whose life was a rollercoaster of incredible business success, marital infidelity, alcoholism, ending in a mystery. Well written, but hard to read. Dick Reynolds was a character who, except for his business and philanthropic accomplishments, is hard to admire or respect; an embarrassment to his family, and an erratic, unreliable husband (four times) and father of six sons.

[Dona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this biography. Since I live in Winston Salem, North Carolina now and have heard about the Reynolds for years I found this book of particular interest. I had no idea of the twists and turns this family had. I must plan another visit to Reynolda House now that I have read this book. I couldn’t really appreciate it the first time I went.

[Jessica Fraser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up with Heidi, in rural Iowa. We used to have tea parties together! Good read - this story is like old school Kardashian lifestyle. Wealth and privilege, no work all play, huge mansions all over the southern U.S. and houses in Europe, yachts, private planes. Absent fathers, mothers remarrying too soon, vicious divorces, and mysterious deaths. Very well written.

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was great-- a good biography of the heir of the great tobacco magnate RJ Reynolds, RJ "Dick" Reynolds, Jr. However, I feel like so many details were left out of this story. It's 350ish pages but should be at least 600. I was completely into the story, just wish there had been more dots to connect.

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book to read if you're from Winston-Salem! He had a messy life, but I loved reading about such familiar places and learning about all the contributions the Reynolds family made to Winston-Salem.

[hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally, I learned why my middle school, Hardin Reynolds Memorial School, had such a long freakin' name. Old Hardin was the father of tabacco man RJ Reynolds.

A fascinating read on many levels. Takeaway lesson: Money can ruin many a man.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book and I don't love many. Interesting all the way through, in my opinion. Good books should make the reader want to learn more about the subject. This book does just that! Fascinating! Found it so since I lived in Winston-Salem over many years in my life.

[pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Told from another point of view than books about R.J. Reynolds, Jr, that I have read before. Love reading about the Reynolds family and the other "Giants" of of the turn of the century. They may have had many faults but they surely were good businesment and brilliant in many arenas.

[Michael Moye · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinating subject, colorful characters, rich with potential - but the writing's pretty awful - storytelling that rarely rises above 'and then he did this, and then she did that'. But the facts alone managed to keep me reading..