The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-11
VEIL OF SECRECY LIFTED
FROM REYNOLDS INQUEST,
PRESS TO Be ADMITTED
Young SeCretary'S Story of
Killing Is Verified by
Actress.
HINT EARLIER SHOOTING
Bullet Hole Through Heirs
Shirt at Long Island
Party Is Reported.
BY MORRIS DE HAVEN TRACY
United Press staff Correspondent


WINSTON SALEM, N. c., July II.
The inquest into the death of
Smith Reynolds was ordered thrown
open to the press today.
This marked the first break in the
secrecy which has been thrown
around the case since last Wednes-
day morning. when the 20-year-old
heir to the r. j. Reynolds tobacco
millions died from gunshot wound
at the Reynolds estate here.
Earl McMichaels, assistant solic-
itor, announced the decision to per-
nit the press to attend the inquest
this afternoon.
Today'S session was held at the
Reynolds manor house at Reynolda
There seemed some possibility
that Libby Holman, Broadway star
and widow of the dead man, might
be questioned today.
Actress Tells Story
She has been held at the Reynolds
home with guard at the door of
her room since Saturday Author
tiles said they we're holding her as
material witness.
Blanche Yurka, New York actress,
has given at least partial corobora-
ton of the claims of Albert Walker,
10. secretary and pal of young
Reynolds, that he was III another
part of the Reynolds house last
Wednesday morning when Reynolds
was shot. Walker is held as a ma
terial witness.
1t was learned today that Miss
Yukra's account of the tragedy in
outline, was about as follows:
She had gone to her room after
midnight Tuesday night, a party
given by Miss Holman and Reynolds
in honor of G. G. Hill of Winston
Salem having broken up.
Gives Version of Shooting
She then went to lower floor to
obtain a glass of milk. AS she
passed through the reception room
on the lower floor she saw Walker
on a couch. He said he was wait
ing for Reynolds, who then was on
the second floor
Miss Yurka returned, after OBJ
tanning the milk and went to her
room and retired. She was doing
when she heard a shot.
She went to the inner balcony,
and could see Walker still in the
reception room. He came running
up the stairs to the balcony and
then went into Reynolds room.
Soon he came out, carrying Reyn-
olds.
Miss Yurka took Reynolds feet,
and helped carry him a short dis
lance.
Walker then summoned an ambu-
lance for the wounded Reynolds,
but did not wait for it.
Took Youth to Hospital
Instead he carried Reynolds to
a private automobile and drove him
to the hospital, where, about four
hours later, he died.
Walkers version differs only in a.
few particulars. He said that when
he came up the stairs Miss Holman
was on the balcony screaming. Miss
Yurka did not mention the presence
of Miss Holman there.
Alfred Holman, Cincinnati lawyer
and father of Libby, who is at the
Reynolds home with his daughter,
sent word to friends today assuring
them that he is much grieved but
not worried by the situation con-
fronting his daughter.
we have nothing whatever to
say and are content to let develop
ments speak for themselves" he
said.
Right or Lefthanded
A point which is yet to be cleared
up, it was understood, was whether
young Reynolds was right or left
handed. He was shot in the right
temple at close range.
A vague report that young
Reynolds received a bullet hole in
his shirt during a Long Island party
last year, increased interest in the
investigation.
1t said that the heir to the many
Reynolds tobacco millions, and Libby
Holman, the glamorous stage star
destined to become his bride, rented
cottages near each other.
The throaty-voiced singer, the re-
port said, lived at Bankers Point
road, Port Washington, near Long
Island sound
Her 20-year-old friend, drawn by
her voice and stage appeal. livul
near the seaplane base on Jandorf
Lane.
The two spent a months vacation
there, the reports said
These reports also added an in
triguing interest TO the romance of
the Broadway night life figures, first
reported married in Honolulu, but
revealed Sunday to have been mar
ried in Monroe, Mich. five days after
Reynolds first wife divorced him.
The license was taken out the day
the divorce was granted, Nov. %,