New-York tribune., 1921-06-11
Reynolds, Old
n. Y. Sharper,
Shot by Gang
Cet-Rici,-Q Quick King, Once
Gambler and Oil Pro-
moser Here, Attacked at
Daytona: Is Near Death
Blaze Angered Citizens
Fire in Building Owned by
Victim Damaged Others
and Inspired Violence
specio, Dispatch to The Trs1un.

81. Al0USliNE, FIa.s June 10.-
Ioriilard Reynolds is in serious con-
dition in the Bohanna Hospital at Day
tona, Fla, to-day as the result of an
attack on him by masked gang in
Sea Breeze last evening. He was shot
through the left lung, an inch above
the heart, and bruised by the beating
administered. Doctors this afternoon
report that he has a cnance for life,
The attack is thought to have been
provoked by intense feeling by citi-
gems because of the burning OF the Sea
Breeze Theater, owned bv REYNOLDS.
on May 80 last and the subsequent de-
struction of a small tailoring shop and
$4,000 damage to apartments across
the street.
About 9 o'clock last night Reynolds.
On his way to 8 picture show to meet
his sister and niece, stopped in front
Of his demolished theater to discuss a
business deal with Russell Dyman, real
estate man. While they stood talking
three cars which neighbors say had
been lowering i'll the locality for some
time drove up with number of masked
men in them. They covered Reynolds
and Dyman with guns and ordered
Dyman TO leave. Dyman ran block
three shots fred. 1t is said two went
in the air and the other just missed
Reynolds's heart.
Left Senseless in Woods
Reynolds was beaten into uncon-
sciousness, thrown into the bottom of
one of the cars and driven to Ormond,
FIVE miles away, where he was left in
the woods.
Reynolds was engaged in the real
estate business in Daytona. Some time
ago he purchased the Seabreeze Thea
or M cy,
No arrests have been made as a re-
suit of the attacks on Reynolds.
Lorillard Reynolds is more widely
known in these parts and in England
as Thomas L. Reynolds, who possessed
genius for making money without
stopping to toll. His dupes are said
to be NUM- oered bv the score aud yet,
30 far as the police know-and they
know bit about Thomas L. Reynolds
never before has he confronted a sit
uation with which he could not cope by
his wits alone.
He has been arrested several times,
under suspicion by the police still more
frequently. and his mode Of livelihood
has been one subjecting him to constant
peril of violence, vet it is said that
bluff and evasion always served his
turn when the dignihed old fraud was
cornered.
Years ago he held commission in a
National Guard regiment in this city
and was regarded with respect. 1t be-
came SUSPECTED that he was trying to
carry political pitchers on both shoul-
ders, however. AT the same time that
he was waging d district fight in Har-
lem against Tammany's choice for
leader. he was said to be a partner of
Big Tim Sullivan in real estate deals
and the anti-Tammany forces threat
ened to eject him.
Adherent of Sulzer
With the downfall of William L. Sui
ger, whose adherent Reynolds had pro-
fessed to be, the latter lost what polit-
ical prominence he had attained, but
began to be mentioned in divorce
courts. Two wives divorced him and
the third brought suit for an annul-
ment of their marriage two years be-
fore.
Before that suit was instituted
Reynolds was a person of interest to
the police of two continents. In April
1918, he was arrested as proprietor of
gambling house in Sixty-eighth
Street near Central Park West, the
prosperity of which was said to be as
sured by an electrically controlled rou-
lette wheel.
that the batteries and wires had been
used only for the illumination of q
Christmas tree, but he was convicted
and served ninety days as a gambler.
Entries in the bankbooks are said TO
have shown thnt he had accumulated
fortune before his house was closed
Besides the bankbooks, papers were
found showing that Reynolds was
president of an oil company which be-
came. a few months later, a subject
for investigation by Federal and local
authorities. There were found also
numerous cards inscribed Senator
Thomas l.. Reynolds" and "His Excel
lency, the Hon. Thomas L, Reynolds"
and letters of introduction showing
that Reynolds had been ambitious to
gain admission to London society
Becomes an Ambassador"
few months after his ninety days
were up, or just about the time that
dciscontented stockholders began to call
the attention of prosecuting officials
to his oil company, "The Hon" Thomas
time as ellis Excellency, the Ambas-
: sador from the Republic of Counani
to the United States
In spite of the fact that "His Excel
iency' was able to point out on the
map the very corner Of Brazil in which
the Republic Of Counani" was to be
found, Scotland Yard exerted sufficient
retirement of the Ambassador"
He reached this port on the Aqui-
tania September l3, 1919, and melted
away before any questions could be
asked. 1t was learned later that he
vent TO Florida, where he was identi-
NEG as Lorillard Reynolds, owner of an
extensive estate at Sea Breeze.