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Pearl Davison daughter of James Pratt Davison and Sarah Ella M Tiller 1st Generation 1. Pearl Davison (James Pratt2, James McCluney1) was born January 4, 1876 in Greene County, Georgia and she died July 23, 1959. She married February 14, 1903 Greene Co., GA to Mercer Reynolds. He was born February 6, 1874 in Georgia, and died January 14, 1954 in Tennessee he was the son of John Leonard Reynolds and Emma C Ellington. Other events in the life of Mercer Reynolds Description : Description "short medium"; Medical ""; Hair color "black"; Eye Color "gray" Children of Pearl Davison and Mercer Reynolds: i. 2. Estelle Reynolds was born 1904. ii. 3. Martin Reynolds was born 1907. iii. 4. Mercer Jr Reynolds was born November 29, 1909 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee and died November 1983 in Lookout Mountain, Hamilton County, Tennessee. iv. 5. John "Jack" D Reynolds was born July 12, 1912 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee and died September 23, 1993 in Signal Mountain, Hamilton County, Tennessee. v. 6. William Reynolds was born 1918 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Notes on Pearl Davison 1900 Greene Co., GA Woodville Reynolds Mercer J 26 S Feb 1874 GA AL GA boarder living in hh of Cacthern Callahan 1901 Jul 29 Atlanta Constitution Greensboro, GA Misses Estelle and Pearl Davison gave a pleasant "at home" last night in honor of Misses Crenshaw, of Atlanta, and Durham, of Woodville. 1909 Aug 15 Atlanta Constitution Greensboro, Ga Mrs Mercer Reynolds and children of Chattanooga, are guests of Mrs Ella Davison. 1910 Hamilton Co., TN St Elmo District 86 4 Civil District part of 1 Apr 21, 1910 Georgia Avenue HH 88 84 Reynolds Mercer 36 GA GA GA Manager Cotton Oil Mill M1 7 Reynolds Pearl 33 GA GA GA M1 7 3 ch b 3 alive Reynolds Estelle 6 MS GA GA Reynolds Martin 3 TN GA GA Reynolds Mercer Jr 6/12 TN GA GA 1912 Sep 24 The Atlanta Constitution, September 25, 1912 Mortuary Mrs. G.A. Merritt, Greensboro. Greensboro, Ga., September 24.-(Special.) Mrs. George Merritt, wife of Colonel G.A. Merritt, prominent lawyer and member of the state legislature, died very suddenly at her home here this morning. Mrs. Merritt was one of the most popular young matrons of the city. She is survived by her husband, one young son, her mother, Mrs. Sarah Davison; one brother, Colonel James Davison, of Greensboro; and one sister, Mrs. Mercer Reynolds, of Chattanooga, Tenn. The funeral will take place from the Methodist church, of which she was a devoted member, tomorrow afternoon at 3 o'clock. Interment at City cemetery. 1913 Oct 26 The Atlanta Constitution, October 26, 1913 Mrs. Sarah Davison and Master George Merritt left this week for an extended visit to relatives in Chattanooga. These are Pearl's nephew and sister in law 1918 World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 Mercer Reynolds 44 yrs old 6 Feb 1874 White Chattanooga, Hamilton, TN 550 Vine Street Manufacturer Lookout Oil and Ref Alton Park TN Tall Medium Build Gray eyes black hair Pearl D Reynolds 550 Vine St (signed) Mercer Reynolds Short Medium build gray eyes black hair 1920 Hamilton Co., TN Chattanooga Ward 7 Jan 16 & 17, 1920 Vine St HH 550 294 356 Reyolds Mercer 45 GA GA GA Refining Cotton Seed O F Reyolds Pearl 41 GA GA GA wife Reyolds Estelle 15 MS GA GA dau Reyolds Martin 12 TN GA GA son Reyolds Mercer 10 TN GA GA son Reyolds John 7 TN GA GA son Reyolds William 3 2/12 TN GA GA son Merritt George 12 GA GA GA nephew 1923 Jun 20 The Constitution, Atlanta, GA., Wednesday, June 20, 1923. State Cotton Seed Crushers End Savannah, Ga., June 19. - (Special) Leaving the next meeting place, probably Tybee again, to the executive committee, the Georgia Cotton Seed Crushers' association concluded their nineteenth annual meeting there today, being consumed with papers and discussions of phases of the industry. Retiring President R. G. Riley, Albany, was presented a silver service. New officers of the association for the next year are: John T Dennis, Elberton, president; P. R. Lamar, Atlanta, vice-president; W. M. Hutchenson, Atlanta, re-elected secretary and treasurer. Executive board, Luther Bond, H. C. Brown, J. T. Dennis, Jr., Marions S. Harper, Harry Hodgson, T. S. Kenan Jr., P. R. Lamar, John F Lewis, T. K. Glendon, H. O. Lovvorn, P. D. McCarley, R. L. McMath, G. W. Riley, R. G. Riley, Ed Stevens, W. C. Twitty, Parks Walker and E. L. Stellin. Speakers today were: George Haskell, Southern Cotton Oil company, New York; Mercer Reynolds, Chattanooga; Dr A. E. Grantham, Richmond, of the Virginia-Carolina Chemical Company; Luther Bond, Royston; J. H. McClain, of Washington, bureau of animal husbandry; and George C Spier, president of the American Linters' association. Dr. Grantham especially warned against putting confidence in any so called weevil eradication mixtures which have not been approved as tested out by the department of agriculture of the experiment stations 1928 Sep 24 New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 Name: Mercer Reynolds Jr Arrival Date: 24 Sep 1928 Estimated birth year: 1910 Age: 17 Gender: Male Port of Departure: Copenhagen, Denmark Ship Name: United States Search Ship Database: Search the United States in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: Tennessee Line: 26 Microfilm Serial: T715 Microfilm Roll: T715_4348 Birth Location: Tennessee Birth Location Other: Chattanooga Page Number: 107 1930 Hamlinton Co., TN Chattanooga City District 19 Part of 7th Apr 14, 1930 Vine St HH 50 341 400 Reynolds Mercer 55 GA GA GA Propieter Cotton Mill 20000 M29 Reynolds Pearl 52 GA GA GA M26 Reynolds Estelle 25 MS GA GA Teacher Public School Reynolds Martin 23 TN GA GA Clerk Electric Supply Store Reynolds Mercer Jr 20 TN GA GA Reynolds Jack D 17 TN GA GA Reynolds William 12 TN GA GA 1933 History of Hamilton County and Chattanooga TN pg 141-142 The Chattanooga Free Press The Chattanooga News - Free Press Roy McDonald, in 1933, and is therefore a newcomer among Chattanooga's newspapers. August 1, 1936, it was made a daily, published afternoons and Sunday morning. William Garnett Foster is executive editor. The Free Press purchased in December, 1939, certain assets of the Chattanooga News and January 21, 1940, changed the name of the paper to The Chattanooga News - Free Press. Officers of the publication are: Roy McDonald, president; Everett Allen, treasurer; Reid F Moore, vice president; Samuel J McAllester, Secretary. Directors are: Roy McDonald, Everett Allen, W. E. Brock, Mercer Reynolds, Silas Williams, Frank McDonald, Samuel J McAllester, J. R. Leal, and Mrs. Abby Crawford Milton. 1933 Apr 13 New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 Name: Mercer Reynolds Arrival Date: 13 Apr 1933 Estimated birth year: 1874 Age: 59 Gender: Male Port of Departure: Southampton, England Ship Name: Manhattan Search Ship Database: Search the Manhattan in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: Tennessee Line: 28 Microfilm Serial: T715 Microfilm Roll: T715_5317 Birth Location: Tennessee Birth Location Other: chattanaga Page Number: 14 New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 about Pearl Reynolds Name: Pearl Reynolds Arrival Date: 13 Apr 1933 Estimated birth year: 1876 Age: 56 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Southampton, England Ship Name: Manhattan Search Ship Database: Search the Manhattan in the 'Passenger Ships and Images' database Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: Tennessee Line: 29 Microfilm Serial: T715 Microfilm Roll: T715_5317 Birth Location: Tennessee Birth Location Other: chattanaga Page Number: 14 1933 Apr 13 New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 about Pearl Reynolds Name: Pearl Reynolds Arrival Date: 13 Apr 1933 Estimated birth year: 1876 Age: 56 Gender: Female Port of Departure: Southampton, England Ship Name: Manhattan Port of Arrival: New York, New York Nativity: Tennessee Line: 29 Microfilm Serial: T715 Microfilm Roll: T715_5317 Birth Location: Tennessee Birth Location Other: chattanaga Page Number: 14 Reynolds Plantation � Linger Longer The plantation lies on rolling hills covered with magnificent mature pine forests bordering beautiful Lake Oconee. Oconee means "great waters" in the language of the Creek Indians who settled here 250 years ago. Treaties in the late 1770s ceded Indian lands to Colonial Georgia which honored discharged soldiers with gifts of land parcels. Mercer Reynolds was one beneficiary. The History and Development of Reynolds Plantation Reynolds Plantation is part of what was once known as "Cracker's Neck", a highly favored section of Greene County, named after Revolutionary War hero, General Nathaniel Greene. After a period of decline, Mercer Reynolds Senior reclaimed approximately 7,000 acres of Cracker's Neck. Greene County native, Mercer Reynolds Senior, was a highly successful businessman and inventor, earning a patent for his process of solidifying cottonseed oil. Although he moved to Chattanooga, Tennessee in the 1920s, he remained close to the area; often returning to hunt, fish and relax at his beloved retreat he'd named Linger Longer . During this same time, Mercer's cousin, James Madison Reynolds, Senior, was assembling land in the area for timber production. These land holdings were left in trust for the Reynolds family. In 1985, the trust was released to his grandchildren. Linger Longer Development Company was formed in 1985 to purchase, plan and develop the property of the Linger Longer Trust and other property accumulated by the Reynolds Family since the 1920s. The Company was formed by members of the Reynolds family of Cincinnati, Ohio, Mercer and Chuck Reynolds, grandchildren of Mercer Reynolds, Senior and the Reynolds family of Greensboro, Georgia; Jamie and Harold Reynolds, grandchildren of James Madison Reynolds, Senior. The Company has accumulated over 8,000 acres for the development of Reynolds Plantation. In 1985, the Reynolds Family formed Linger Longer Development Company to develop the property now known as Reynolds Plantation. Real estate development began in 1986 with home site sales beginning in 1987. Golf course development commenced shortly after real estate sales beginning with the construction of the Plantation Course. The Plantation Course, designed by Bob Cupp with consultation provided by Fuzzy Zoeller and Hubert Green, opened in the fall of 1988. A marina and dry boat storage facility located on the Plantation side of the property was also completed in 1988. The Plantation Clubhouse and restaurant, The Plantation Grille, opened in January 1989. Another project in the late 1980s was the relocation of the Jackson House. Fannie Stocks Jackson, grandmother to Jamie and Harold Reynolds, once occupied this beautiful Victorian home, originally built in Greensboro, Georgia in 1883. The Jackson House was relocated to Reynolds Plantation, completely renovated and lovingly restored for use as our guest registration and reception center. The restoration was complete in June of 1989. Currently, the Jackson House serves as the hub of guest services and location for several of our senior management and administrative offices. The Great Waters Course, a Jack Nicklaus signature design, opened in July of 1992. The course is located at Great Waters, a 680-acre wooded peninsula located in Putnam County just across the lake from Reynolds Plantation. The Great Waters Course became known for its breath-taking beauty during the years of the Anderson Consulting World Cup Championship Tournament during the late 1990s. The National Course was the third golf course built at Reynolds Plantation. Opening in August 1997, this Tom Fazio design brought 18 more exquisite holes to Reynolds Plantation. Carved into a forest of pines and hardwoods east of Linger Longer Road, the course features dramatic elevation changes, winding creeks and spectacular views of Lake Oconee. Less than three years later, nine more breath-taking holes were added to The National Course and opened for play in November 2000. The National Course is Reynolds Plantation's only 27-hole facility. The Oconee is most recent golf course addition to Reynolds Plantation. Noted golf course architect, Rees Jones, designed this 18-hole facility. The Oconee combines wonderful land and an excellent routing plan resulting in an abundance of exciting golf. Also located on The Oconee are the Golf Academy and the Dave Pelz Scoring Game School, which opened along with The Oconee Course and Oconee clubhouse in the spring of 2002. The golf academy and related services have been successful additions to the golf experience at Reynolds Plantation. Other exciting developments at Reynolds Plantation include The Ritz-Carlton Lodge at Reynolds Plantation and the Lake Oconee Village. The Ritz Carlton Lodge is a 252-room hotel, which includes various amenities for guests including conference and meeting space, state-of-the-art spa facilities and various fine- dining restaurants. The grand opening for the Ritz-Carlton Lodge, Reynolds Plantation was in April of 2002. This unique addition to Reynolds Plantation was developed by Reynolds Plantation and is managed by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company. Lake Oconee Village, a 609-acre commercial development spearheaded by Reynolds Plantation, opened the first phase in October of 2002. With a Publix Supermarket anchoring the shopping center at Lake Oconee Village, the first phase is off to a good start and additional development plans including additional commercial stores, shops, restaurants and more are underway. The Lake Club is the newest feature to be added to Reynolds Plantation. This members-only facility will include fitness facilities, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, tennis and additional lake access amenities. The Lake Club will begin construction in 2004 and is tentatively planned to open in the spring or summer of 2005. HISTORY: Back in the early 1900s, Mercer Reynolds, Sr. purchased the land in Greene County for a family retreat. Reynolds you see, was a successful businessman, not to mention the inventor of the process for solidifying cottonseed oil. In other words, wealth beyond means. Referred to as "Linger Longer," this massive piece of property was used for a hunting and fishing getaway. During the 1920s, the family house was built, which lasted until 1979, when the construction of the Wallace Dam was finished. This, with the flooding of the Oconee River, formed Lake Oconee, Georgia's second largest lake. The vision for Reynolds Plantation goes to the grandson of Reynolds Sr., Mercer Reynolds III. With a 19,000-acre lake and 70 miles of shoreline available, the plan was in the works to develop a resort/residential community. Beginning in 1986, five golf courses have been built on this site, including The National Course, featuring three nine-hole courses. Master course designer Tom Fazio got the call to carve out this venue through undisturbed forests and beautiful vistas of the Oconee River Valley. He's designed several of the greatest courses in the country and worked on some of the finest pieces of land, but when Fazio toured the property, he was stunned. "When I first came here and drove through the front gate, I could feel the quality that was here." One of the most decorated architects of his time, Fazio has crafted well over 120 courses and currently has more courses ranked in the top-100 in the United States (14), than any other designer. Some of his most notable layouts include, Wade Hampton, Shadow Creek, The Quarry at La Quinta and The Estancia Club. And by the way, he is the chief design consultant for Augusta National Golf Club. Fazio's effort was enhanced by the unlimited budget afforded him by his employer. "I got excited because, from the first calls about this course, I was told they had a lot of land, lots of acres and no preconceived ideas about what should go there. I knew from the first day that the commitment made to golf was first-class and something I wanted to be involved with." How good was Fazio's design? Well in less than 10 years, it has been ranked in the top-five in the state of Georgia for public access courses. REVIEW: The Bluff nine opens with a slight dogleg right, uphill par four. Plenty of room off the tee, so bombs away, as it plays longer than its 383 yards in length indicates. Fairway traps on the right can be reached, so play towards the left side of the landing area. Take an extra club or two for your approach to the elevated putting surface and stay below the hole, as the green slopes hard from back to front. With only 31 paces to deal with and a deep trap right, this is certainly not a hole to be taken lightly. The downhill, dogleg right second is just the opposite, sloping down towards Lake Oconee. The key is the tee shot, as you must avoid the pair of extremely deep bunkers on the right. A mid to short iron remains to a fairly large green. A back-right flag will bring another deep-faced bunker into play, so play towards the center of the surface to take bogey or worse out of play. At first blush, the par-five third could be construed as one of the hardest holes on the course at 553 yards. Don't be misled, this big boy can be had. Although doglegging sharply to the right, the tee shot is wide open, as it is devoid of sand with a enormous landing area. The trick is deciding what to do for your second shot. Laying up can be tricky, especially with the pair of traps down the left and a sloping fairway to the right, which brings the lake into play. The fairway does narrow as you get closer to the green, however, a blast down the left side will feed towards the promised land. The putting surface is a whopping 47 yards deep, but very narrow. When in doubt, go left young man and you'll make an easy par. One of my favorite par threes at Reynolds Plantation, the fourth is a gem featuring Lake Oconee down the entire right side. Any breeze off the water will surely impact how you play this hole. Another enormous green, this time 40 yards in length, will dictate what club you pull out of your arsenal. A huge ridge runs through the center of the putting surface, with three traps, one left and two deep to gather your errant play. A chance to get one back as you reach the fifth. Just 386 yards in length from the gold tees, the key ingredient here is the tee ball. The first of five fairway traps looms down the right side, but a shot of 230 yards will clear easily enough. Avoiding the left trio of bunkers is a different story, as they are well within reach. The play on this bender to the right is a nice power- fade, leaving just a short iron approach to another, slender, but long green. Your second will be slightly uphill to the putting surface, with a bunker left and right. A back-right pin could be hard to reach, so play center cut and move on. The Bluff nine really heats up on the devilish, par-five sixth. Only the strongest of players can best this beast at 584 yards. The tee shot plays uphill to a wide fairway, flanked left by sand and right by trees and thick brush. A big blast can reach the crest of the fairway, as it begins to slope downhill. A decision of major proportion remains. Go for the green or play out right to the split fairway. Option one - A large pond stands between you and the green, not to mention some 250 plus yards. Yes, it's downhill, but the green is set back to the left with three huge traps deep and one state of Florida- shaped bunker in front. A word of caution, any shot short of the putting surface, will roll back towards the water and leave an awkward, uphill pitch to the green. Option two - A medium iron or hybrid to the right will set up a little wedge for your third. This will enable you to attack the pin and give yourself a reasonable chance at birdie. Certainly the smarter play, but who said golfers are smart. Another great par three, the seventh is the longest of the set at The National. Coming in at 216 yards, the hole plays downhill to the green, making club selection difficult, not to mention the creek running from tee through the putting surface down the right. Let's not forget the very wide and undulating green, with sand left and two bunkers on the back-right corner. The hole is framed beautifully behind the green and is one of the most picturesque on the course. Stay focused. The course continues to get better and better as you reach the rugged, par- four eighth. The fairway slopes from right to left with a creek running up the left side before crossing the landing area, some 100 yards short of the green. The play off the tee is a draw with a driver, starting at the fairway trap and finishing in the left side of the landing area. This will set up a short iron approach to a slightly uphill putting surface. Two spots to avoid. The pair of bunkers left and the creek that runs up the right side within a couple of strides of the green. The short stuff is long and narrow, sloping from back to front with an undulating ridge in the center. A back-right flag will test the best of players, not to mention us hackers. The closing hole on the Bluff nine is a sharp, dogleg right par four stretching 423 yards from the back tees. The tee ball is first step to succeeding on the ninth. The fairway slopes from left to right with two deep traps left and one target bunker towards the center of the fairway. It will take a shot of 250 yards to clear this obstacle, but you will be rewarded with a short iron if you play down the right. Next up is your downhill approach to the green. With a seven-, eight- or nine- iron, you'll need to clear a large body of water and a wide bunker to reach the putting surface. The green is 42 yards wide and quite shallow, so club selection is key, as any shot long will be bunkered. Moving over to the Cove nine, the newest of the three courses, it starts out with a solid, downhill par four of 418 yards. Two wide bunkers frame the wide landing area and offer a great target to start your draw. One word of caution, avoid the left side, as the fairway falls off into deep trees. A medium to short iron remains to a decent sized green with a deep trap near the left- front portion. A fairly simple hole to kick-start the nine. It's uphill all the way on the short second, the only par four on this nine under 400 yards. Bunkers on either side of the landing area pose minimal opposition, but are deep and treacherous. Take an extra club for your approach, as the green is significantly elevated. Two very cavernous traps front the benign putting surface which flows gently from back to front. Birdies can be made, but without seeing the bottom of the flag stick, par is more likely. By the way, any second shot played short and right, will roll back off the green and down the fairway. Downhill towards Lake Oconee, the par-three third is all about club selection. With the wind blowing in off the water and the elevation change, this hole could play havoc with your round. A deep trap fronts the green that's only 33 paces in length. Not a hole to be aggressive, play to the center and make your par. The longest of the two par fives on this nine, the fourth is a strategically, deceptive three-shotter. The hole starts out by bending towards the right, with a 40-yard long bunker down the right side of the landing area. Avoid this and you're home free, sort of. Your next shot is a layup far enough down the right to leave a clear shot to the green, as tall trees blanket the left side. The putting surface you see, is to the left of the fairway and plays uphill over a creek. Two deep bunkers guard the left-portion of the green. Although very wide, the putting surface is only 28 paces deep and just 20 yards in length behind the traps. Sloping hard from back to front, you must stay below the hole to have any chance at two-putting. Bending to the left, the par-four fifth is devoid of fairway bunkers, but beware of the port side as trees guard the aggressive player. After a successful tee shot, just a medium iron should remain, depending upon the flag stick. You see, the green is a whopping 49 yards in length and quite narrow, not to mention a deep bunker up front. The putting surface is very undulating and if missed, could be a real bear to get up and down, as it falls off sharply left and long. Although ranked as the toughest hole on this nine, the sixth can be had. Just a 502-yard par five, this gem doglegs to the left and can be reached in two. The tee shot plays downhill towards a left to right sloped fairway. The bunker at the end of the fairway is close to 300 yards away from the tips. Now it's decision time. To reach the elevated green, you'll need a blast of over 200 yards, splitting the tall trees on both sides of the fairway and avoiding the pair of traps to the right of the green. Speaking of the putting surface, it's 41 paces deep and very undulating. Par shouldn't be a problem, so go for it and get one back. The final par three on this nine is the shortest of all the one-shotter's at The National. Just 175 yards from the tips and playing downhill, this beauty requires pinpoint accuracy, as the green is small and the wind usually plays tricks from the tee. Any shot right or long will trickle down the slope. Short and you'll find sand and left, a well-mown collection area. The bottom line, short is not always easy. The eighth is a stern test of brawn and brains. The elevated tee box puts everything in plain view. What you have is a dogleg right of 449 yards that necessitates a left-to-right fade off the box. Avoiding the fairway trap at the corner of the bend is key. A big blast of over 270 yards can clear the corner, but jail remains if your shot is offline. A mid to long iron will remain to a slightly elevated surface, trapped deeply on both sides of the green. Another long, narrow green, this one 42 yards in depth, features a ridge on the right, making your approach even more difficult. Par here will be a tall order. Another great closer at The National, the ninth is the longest par four at this venue, a whopping 462 yards from the tips. You'll need every bit of power just to leave yourself a reasonable chance at getting home. Despite a wide landing area, the hole is wide open and susceptible to the wind. From the fairway, all that remains is quite clear, a pond and two bunkers fronting the green. Piece of cake, right? Not so fast when you have a hybrid or long iron in your grasp. Closely cropped chipping areas surround the green, so if you're going to err, go long. The original hole of the National course is the first on the Ridge nine. A rock- solid, dogleg left par four, the first requires just a fairway metal off the tee, as the trouble lurks well down the fairway in the form of sand on both sides of the landing area. Bunkers surround three sides of the putting surface, leaving an opening in front for your approach. Despite the swale in the green, this is one pin you should be able to attack and get your nine off to a good start. Although not long by today's standards at 388 yards, the second hole is every bit of a bear to make par, let alone birdie. The landing area is quite wide, however you must play down the left side to set up the best angle to the green. The putting surface is tucked to the right, behind a set of bunkers, water and a tall tree that covers the right portion of the green. Having a shot at birdie will depend upon the pin placement. The slightly uphill third is one of the longest par threes on the course at just under 200 yards in length. To compound matters, the putting surface is 39 paces deep. Three treacherous traps guard the right side of the green and a collection area protects the right. Choose the right stick or suffer the consequences. What you see is what you get, as you stand on the fourth tee. A straightaway par four reaching 428 yards from the tips. A wide landing area, narrowed at the 270- yard mark by two deep fairway bunkers on the right. The slightly elevated putting surface is fairly benign, but protected on either side by deep traps and grass bunkers. The fifth, the final par three on this nine will require a long iron or hybrid to reach the putting surface. Danger looms left with a bunker long enough to cover the entire 37 paces of the green. Any ball slightly right of target will end up in the closely mown chipping area, which will make an up and down nearly impossible. One of the prettiest and diabolical holes at The National, the sixth is an outstanding, downhill par five, a true, three-shot hole. From the tips, the landing area runs out at the 300-yard mark, with fairway traps pinching in from both sides. A small stream down the right can snare any wayward shot, so play left fairway for safety. The only option for your next is to layup, the question is, how far do you go. The landing area tightens as you get closer to the green and a trap on either side at the 125-yard mark makes for an even narrower look. By the way, water comes into play around 80 yards from the green, as it surrounds three-quarters of the putting surface. The green is well-guarded in the front by sand and features three tiers to make your birdie try even more difficult. It stands to reason that this is the number one handicapped hole on the Ridge. The shortest par four at The National, the seventh is only 376 yards from the gold tees. Doglegging to the left, the key is accuracy, not length to conquer this hole. A fairway-metal off the tee is the smart play for your first shot, as this will set up a short iron to a long, narrow putting surface. Missing the two-tiered green will be costly, as three traps encompass the short grass. A great scoring chance revolves around the dogleg left eighth. A short par five that measures just 499 yards from the tips, this hole can be had if the tee shot is right. Playing downhill from the tee, a high, draw will work wonders to set up an opportunity to get home in two. The key is to avoid the bunker-laden landing area. If successful, you'll need a 200-plus blast to reach the long, narrow promised land. The green is guarded with a long trap in front and one left and the putting surface itself, is two-tiered and 40 paces deep. The bottom line, you can go for it, but you must be precise. The closing hole on the Ridge is a monster of a par four, stretching 454 yards. Despite the wide landing area, this straightaway hole features a 42- yard long bunker down the left side, so stay clear. A long iron or hybrid will remain to a long green, guarded by sand left and right. A back-right flag, where the putting surface slopes away make the hole one of the hardest at The National. OVERALL: The golf at Reynolds Plantation is exceptional and that includes Tom Fazio's, The National. Three nine hole venues, all with their own specific signature. Whether it be rolling terrain or lush hardwood forests and spectacular views of Lake Oconee, The National has it all. The nines feature amazing elevation changes, numerous streams, ponds and of course Lake Oconee, not to mention 115 bunkers, the most of any of the courses at Reynolds Plantation. Let's not forget the challenging and undulating putting surfaces, which generally range from 30-45 yards in depth and can be a slick as Augusta on any given day. Course conditioning is always an important part of any review and The National passes with flying colors. Bent grass greens and Bermuda fairways, tees and rough are impeccably manicured. Fazio's signature bunkers are also maintained to perfection. Even the practice range, complete with grass hitting areas on two sides and putting and chipping greens are groomed wonderfully. They say that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, but no one can deny the sensational landscape of colors generated by thousands of azaleas, deep Georgia pines and glowing vegetation. Upon completion, Fazio praised the design. "It's no surprise that the National turned out as well as it did because the Reynolds folks have the patience and commitment to do things right." The course is open to members, guests and residents of the Ritz-Carlton Lodge and Reynolds Plantation. For guests, it could be a bit pricey at $150-$250, but if you're at the Ritz, then this shouldn't be an issue. Take advantage of the special packages that are available and you'll make Reynolds Plantation an annual visit for years to come. I'd be remiss without mentioning the kind and thoughtful staff at The National, who go out of their way to make your stay most enjoyable. The bottom line, The National will rank right up there with all the courses at Reynolds Plantation, so when planning your next trip, make sure you reserve ample time so that you can sample all the courses at Reynolds Plantation, you won't be disappointed. Aces, pars or bogeys, send your thoughts to [email protected]. Copyright 2007 Courtesy of The Sports Network <http://www.sportsnetwork.com>. Linger Longer Communities The land that encompasses Reynolds Plantation hails from a long-treasured Reynolds family retreat a tranquil hunting and fishing getaway lovingly referred to as Linger Longer. A successful businessman and inventor, Mercer Reynolds, Sr., along with his cousin James Madison Reynolds, acquired land in Greene County, Georgia in the early 1900s. Family visits to Linger Longer and its Rock House Lodge were regular occurrences until the construction of Wallace Dam in 1979, flooding the Oconee River to form Lake Oconee. Shortly thereafter, Mercer Reynolds, grandson of the original landholder, had a vision of a community on Georgia's second largest lake where families would enjoy the natural surroundings and reconnect with one another, much as his family had done for generations. Drawing from that spirit, Linger Longer Development Company was formed to devise and develop Reynolds Plantation.Members of the Reynolds family remain intensely mindful of the historical value of the land and the need to preserve and enhance its natural beauty. The family's private retreat may have been claimed by Lake Oconee, but the spirit of Linger Longer survives and thrives in Linger Longer Communities, which include Reynolds Plantation and Reynolds Landing on Lake Oconee. Award-winning communities with world-class amenities and a casually elegant lifestyle, Lake Oconee's Linger Longer Communities provide a uniquely enjoyable, relaxing and social environment that encourages - and a convenient proximity to Atlanta that allows - families to Linger Longer in their retreat. The land that encompasses Reynolds Plantation hails from a long-treasured family retreat a tranquil hunting and fishing getaway lovingly referred to as Linger Longer. A highly successful businessman and inventor of the process for solidifying cottonseed oil, Mercer Reynolds, Sr. acquired land in Greene County in the early 1900s. It was there in the mid 1920s he built the family's Rock House, which lasted until the construction of Wallace Dam in 1979 and the subsequent flooding of the Oconee River, forming Lake Oconee� Georgia's second largest lake. Years later Mercer Reynolds, grandson of the original landholder, had a vision of a community where families would enjoy the natural surroundings and reconnect with one another, much as his family had done for more than two generations. As development continues, members of the Reynolds family remain intensely mindful of the historical value of the land and the need to preserve and enhance its natural beauty and legacy. Reynolds Plantation is the centerpiece of Linger Longer Communities, which also includes Reynolds Landing. Our vision is to create an ideal community environment with the services, amenities and quality of life that exceed the expectations of all who come to Reynolds Plantation to live, work, and visit. We measure our Integrity by the levels of trust and mutual respect we develop among our co-workers, property owners, guests, stockholders, partners and suppliers. We are dedicated to the passionate pursuit of Exceptional Quality in all aspects of our business. We have unerring Commitment to each other, the community around us, and the responsible stewardship of our environment. ___________________________ Reynolds Golf Reynolds Plantation offers four distinct golf experiences, created by Jack Nicklaus, Bob Cupp, Tom Fazio and Rees Jones. The designers made great use of Lake Oconee, and having four diverse courses means great choices for golfers. Creeks, waterfalls and views of Lake Oconee punctuate the Oconee course by Jones. Cupp's Plantation course is a rolling track where sloping lies and contoured greens augment the beauty of the landscape. The National is a 27-hole Fazio gem highlighted by breathtaking elevations in a setting of hardwoods, pines and Augusta-style flowering dogwoods. Nicklaus' Great Waters, which hosted the Anderson Consulting World Match Play Championships, is consistently ranked among the top courses in the nation. Name: Reynolds, Mercer Source Citation: � The International Year Book and Statesmen's Who's Who. 2003 edition. East Grinstead, England: Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, 2002. Biographies are found in Part 3.(IntYB 2003) � Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives. 1997 edition. Volume 2: Directors and Executives. New York: Standard & Poor's Corp., 1997. (St&PR 1997) Standard & Poor's Register of Corporations, Directors and Executives. 1998 edition. Volume 2: Directors and Executives. New York: Standard & Poor's Corp., 1998. (St&PR 1998) 2nd Generation (Children) 2. Estelle Reynolds (Mercer5, John Leonard4, William3, John2, James1) was born 1904. Notes for Estelle Reynolds History of Hamilton County and Chattanooga TN pg 167 Signal school for girls was established in 1925 by Miss Almeda Anderson and Misses Fannie Belle Wallace, Margaret E Wallace, and Mary Belle Wallace. Assisting teachers were Misses Dorothy Orton, Estelle Reynolds and Marguerite Shields. The school continued for five years. 3. Martin Reynolds (Mercer5, John Leonard4, William3, John2, James1) was born 1907. 4. Mercer Jr Reynolds (Mercer5, John Leonard4, William3, John2, James1) was born November 29, 1909 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee and died November 1983 in Lookout Mountain, Hamilton County, Tennessee. He married Charlotte Crabtree . She, daughter of John Farris Crabtree1 and Emilie W Neidhardt. Children of Mercer Jr Reynolds and Charlotte Crabtree: i. 7. Mercer III Reynolds was born June 17, 1945 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. Notes on Mercer Jr Reynolds New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1957 Name: Mercer Reynolds Jr Arrival Date: 24 Sep 1928 Estimated birth year: 1910 Age: 17 Gender: Male Port of Departure: Copenhagen, Denmark Ship Name: United States Name: Reynolds, Mercer, Jr. Birth - Death: 1909- Source Citation: � Who's Who in Finance and Industry. 18th edition, 1974-1975. Wilmette, IL: Marquis Who's Who, 1974. (WhoFI 18) DEATH: Social Security Death Index Name: Mercer Reynolds SSN: 410-10-4097 Last Residence: 37350 Lookout Mountain, Hamilton, Tennessee, United States of America Born: 29 Nov 1909 Died: Nov 1983 State (Year) SSN issued: Tennessee (Before 1951 ) 5. John "Jack" D Reynolds (Mercer5, John Leonard4, William3, John2, James1) was born July 12, 1912 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee and died September 23, 1993 in Signal Mountain, Hamilton County, Tennessee. He married Anna "Sugie" Morphew . She was born December 25, 1925 in Chattanooga, Hamilton Co., TN and died December 6, 2003 in Cinncinnati, OH. Children of John "Jack" D Reynolds and Anna "Sugie" Morphew: i. 8. Mercer Reynolds. ii. 9. Anna R Reynolds. iii. 10. Chuck Reynolds. Notes on John "Jack" D Reynolds U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938- 1946 Name: Jack D Reynolds Birth Year: 1912 Race: White, citizen (White) Nativity State or Country: Tennessee State: Tennessee County or City: Hamilton Enlistment Date: 14 Sep 1942 Enlistment State: Georgia Enlistment City: Fort Oglethorpe Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA Grade: Private Grade Code: Private Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men) Source: Civil Life Education: 4 years of college Civil Occupation: Brake Inspector, Railway (Airbrake mechanic, railway. ) or Bridge Inspector (Bridge inspector, railway.) or Telephone Inspector Marital Status: Married Height: 67 Weight: 145 Social Security Death Index Name: Jack Reynolds SSN: 411-01-9071 Last Residence: 37377 Signal Mountain, Hamilton, Tennessee, United States of America Born: 25 Jul 1912 Died: 23 Sep 1993 State (Year) SSN issued: Tennessee (Before 1951 ) U.S. Public Records Index Name: Jack Reynolds Street address: 3620 Highland Terrace Dr City: Chattanooga County: Hamilton State: Tennessee Zip Code: 37415 Phone Number: 423-875-2148 Record Number: 197424716 Household Members: Name Est. Age Birth Year Anna M Reynolds Anna M Reynolds 89 1918 Anna N Reynolds Anna N Reynolds Jack Reynolds Kathri M Reynolds 33 1974 The Chattanoogan Reynolds, Anna "Sugie" Morphewposted December 9, 2005Anna "Sugie" Morphew Reynolds, 87, a native of Chattanooga, died on Wednesday, Dec. 7, 2005. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack D. Reynolds. She was a member of Hixson Presbyterian Church and the Chattanooga Bridge Club. Anna was passionate about her faith, her family and her friends. She always saw the best in people and forever will be missed by those that were blessed to have known her. She is survived by her three children, Mercer Reynolds, of Cincinnati, OH, Anna R. Hunter, of Chattanooga, and Chuck Reynolds, of Cincinnati, OH; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, in the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with the Rev. Chris Kidwell officiating. Please share your thoughts and memories at Mem.com <http://www.mem.com> Arrangements are by Chattanooga Funeral Home, North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153. Biography Anna Reynolds died on December 6, 2003. Arrangements under the direction of Mobile Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Mobile, AL, 251.661.7700. 6. William Reynolds (Mercer5, John Leonard4, William3, John2, James1) was born 1918 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. 3rd Generation (Grandchildren) 7. Mercer III Reynolds (Mercer Jr6, Mercer5, John Leonard4, William3, John2, James1) was born June 17, 1945 in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. He married Gabrielle Bouscaren . She, daughter of Henri Bouscaren and Katherine McNulty. Children of Mercer III Reynolds and Gabrielle Bouscaren: i. 11. Katherine Munroe "Kaki" Reynolds. ii. 12. James Mercer Reynolds. iii. 13. Timothy Lincoln Reynolds. iv. 14. James Davison Reynolds. v. 15. Gabrielle Mary Reynolds. Notes on Mercer III Reynolds Mercer Reynolds From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Mercer "Merce" Reynolds III (born 17 June 1945) is an American businessman. He was the finance chair of U.S. President George W. Bush's presidential campaign. Reynolds, born in Chattanooga, Tennessee, earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and an M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee. After serving briefly in the United States Army (1968 -1969), he worked for Coca-Cola for ten years. In 1979, Reynolds and business partner William DeWitt founded the investment firm Reynolds, DeWitt & Co.; he was its co-chair until 2001. Reynolds' other business ventures included Spectrum 7, an oil company which he co-chaired from 1980 to 1985 and which, in 1984 merged with the struggling firm Arbusto Energy, which was owned by George W. Bush. Reynolds was later an investor with Bush in the Texas Rangers baseball team. From 1985 to 2000, he was CEO of Reynolds Plantation, a golf community near Lake Oconee in Georgia. Reynolds was Ohio finance chairman for George W. Bush's 2000 presidential and campaign, raising over $600,000 and was named to co-chair Bush's inaugural committee. From August 2001 to September 2003, Reynolds served as U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. As the national finance chair of U.S. President George W. Bush's 2004 re-election campaign, Reynolds helped raise over $200 million for the successful effort and is sometimes credited with helping to deliver Ohio's key electoral votes to the President. He has been a frequest guest of the President at the White House and at Camp David, and was a leading contender for the post of Commerce Secretary upon the 2004 resignation of Don Evans. Reynolds has been active in fundraising for community and civic organizations as well, for Summerbridge, a tutoring program for inner-city youth in Cincinnati, for the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families, and for the United Way. In the field of foreign policy, he sits on the advisory board of the Center for Strategic and International Studies and has been involved with the Bridging the Rift Foundation in the Middle East. Reynolds and his wife, Gabrielle, live in Indian Hill, Ohio; they have five children. Gabrielle Reynolds was appointed by President Bush in 2004 to serve on the board of trustees of the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Rumours in January 2005 linked him with the vacant position of US ambassador to the Court of St. James's (i.e., the United Kingdom ). " 09/04/2001 Georgia General Assembly 01 LC 22 4548 House Resolution 46EX2 By: Representative Channell of the 111th A RESOLUTION Commending and congratulating Mercer Reynolds; and for other purposes. WHEREAS, Mercer Reynolds has been recently honored as Executive of the Year by the J. Whitney Bunting School of Business at Georgia College and State University; and WHEREAS, he graduated from Baylor School in 1963 and from the University of North Carolina in 1967 and earned his M.B.A. from the University of Tennessee in 1968; and WHEREAS, he is chairman of Reynolds, DeWitt and Co., an investment firm specializing in corporate acquisitions and financing; chairman of Sena Weller Rohs Williams, Inc., a regional investment advisory firm with a portfolio exceeding $1.5 billion; and chairman and CEO of Reynolds Plantation, a golf and real estate resort development; and WHEREAS, he provided valuable leadership in the campaign to elect President Bush, serving brilliantly as Finance Co-Chairman of the Ohio Bush-Cheney 2000 Campaign and as a member of the Finance Executive Committee for Bush-Cheney 2000 and Victory 2000; and WHEREAS, he has a distinguished record of community service in civic and scholarly organizations, serving as a member of the Advisory Board of the Center for Strategic and International Studies; member of the board of Summerbridge, a tutorial program for inner city youth; member of the board of the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families; member of the board of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes; member of the board of the University of North Carolina's Educational Foundation; and member of the board of the University of Cincinnati Foundation. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body congratulate Mercer Reynolds for being named Executive of the Year and commend him for outstanding public service. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to Mercer Reynolds. Baseball team owners go to bat for Bush By BILL STRAUBScripps Howard News Service WASHINGTON -- William O. DeWitt Jr. wasn't politically active when he and business partner Mercer Reynolds were introduced to George W. Bush over lunch some 18 years ago, but he easily recognized the charm and savvy that one day would catapult the young oilman into the lead among contenders for this year's Republican presidential nomination. "I was very impressed," DeWitt said, speaking from his office at Reynolds DeWitt Securities Co., an investment firm headquartered in Cincinnati. "He had an engaging personality and was very sharp. We wanted to do business with him." And so they did, merging oil interests in what turned out to be an only moderately successful venture before teaming up to purchase baseball's Texas Rangers, a partnership that ultimately netted Bush, the son of a former president and now the governor of Texas, millions of dollars. The successful alliance involving DeWitt, Reynolds and the man known in shorthand as W. is on the roll again, this time competing for the biggest prize the nation has to offer. With Bush on the campaign trail, DeWitt and Reynolds have emerged as his political rainmakers in Ohio, raising money, organizing fund-raisers and serving on a Bush team known as the Pioneers well-heeled businessmen dreaming up new ways to add cash to the candidate's coffers. The Reynolds-DeWitt team has exceeded expectations. On July 22, 1999, they staged a fund-raiser that brought in $1 million, a record for a Cincinnati event. The pair also was involved in a $1,000-per-person get-together in Cleveland last November that drew 300. And Bush was guest of honor in August at the Reynolds Plantation, a resort on Lake Oconee in Georgia operated by Reynolds, that brought substantial capital. Few have done more than DeWitt and Reynolds to help Bush collect the money he needs to assume residence of the White House next year. "Talk about loyalty," said Rep. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, a Bush supporter who counts DeWitt and Reynolds among his friends. "They are extremely loyal to George W. Bush and they're personally committed to him becoming president. They are not particularly political people, certainly not as much as they are business people. But they believe in the guy and they have a zeal. They go out and do all they can." Reynolds said he is committed to Bush because personal experience has shown him to be "a good manager of people, he's decisive and a consensus-builder." "He'd be a great guy to have as your leader." Over the past 20 years, DeWitt and Reynolds quietly have become two of the most influential members of the Cincinnati business community, involving themselves in enterprises ranging from sports franchises to Arby's restaurants to oil, but rarely stepping into politics. Their most recent high-profile venture came four years ago when both men purchased interests in the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team from Anheuser-Busch. DeWitt is the managing partner. DeWitt, 58, is what once was called a sportsman, involving himself in a variety of athletic-business endeavors. He comes by it naturally. His father, William O. DeWitt Sr., made a career in sports, starting as a peanuts-and-popcorn vendor for the St. Louis Browns before World War I, working his way up and eventually purchasing the team in 1949. The younger DeWitt was brought up in the business and became a part of baseball lore. In 1951, DeWitt Sr. sold his interest in the Browns to become president of the more successful Detroit Tigers. The new owner, Bill Veeck, looking to draw attention to his moribund team, decided to use a midget, Eddie Gaedel, as a pinch-hitter. The only uniform that fit the 3-foot-7, 65-pound Gaedel was worn by the ball boy DeWitt Jr. That uniform remains on display in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y. DeWitt Jr. graduated from Yale the same school that produced former President George Bush and W. in 1963 and moved to Cincinnati where his father was running the Cincinnati Reds. He worked for the club in a number of capacities, purchasing a 15 percent interest before selling out in 1968, two years after his father. DeWitt made several sports-related investments over the next several years he bought a small piece of the Cincinnati Bengals football team and owned a chunk of the Kentucky Colonels in the American Basketball Association before investing in the Cincinnati Stingers of the World Hockey Association in 1975. The venture flopped. The Stingers disbanded when the association was absorbed by the National Hockey League in 1979 and DeWitt started looking for another venture, ultimately hooking up with an acquaintance Mercer Reynolds. Reynolds, 54, hails from a wealthy and well-established Chattanooga, Tenn., family. His grandfather, also named Mercer Reynolds, was an inventor associated with the Southern Chemical Cotton Co. who developed a process for the hydrogenation of shortening, which was used in the manufacture of Crisco and similar products. The older Reynolds also purchased about 7,000 acres of rural property in Green County, Ga., about 75 miles east of Atlanta for a family retreat he called Linger Longer. Years later, under his grandson's guidance, it would became one of the nation's most exclusive golf-resort communities. The Chattanooga of the younger Reynolds' youth was the world capital of Coca- Cola bottling "Everybody in town had some involvement in Coca-Cola," he said and he went to work for Thomas Inc., then the largest Coca-Cola distributor east of the Mississippi River. It was in that capacity that he moved to Cincinnati, as a company representative, in late 1969. Reynolds joined Gradison and Co., an investment house, in 1974, the same year as DeWitt. "I always loved the investment business," Reynolds said. "Bill had just moved in with Gradison ... and we formed a good friendship. When Bill left to run the Cincinnati Stingers, he turned his accounts over to me." When the Stingers folded, Reynolds was working at Thompson-McKenna, another investments firm. At the time, the oil business was booming and the two decided to get into it, forming Spectrum 7 Energy Corp., an exploration firm that raised funds to buy into potential gushers. Around that same time, having lost a congressional race, armed with little money but with degrees from Yale and Harvard and carrying a famous name, Bush also decided to seek his fortune in oil. Beginning operations in March 1979 in the west Texas town of Midland, the same place his father got started, Bush opened Arbusto Energy Corp. ("arbusto" meaning "bush" in Spanish) and began looking for investors to begin drilling. Both DeWitt and Reynolds remember their first visit with Bush, over lunch at the Midland Club, occurring in 1982 at a time when Bush's father was serving his second year as vice president under Ronald Reagan. It was arranged by Paul Rea, a DeWitt cousin who was serving as Spectrum 7's representative in Midland. "Paul thought he (Bush) would be a good person to get to know," Reynolds said. "He was viewed as a very good operator." Nothing immediately emerged from the discussions, but the men stayed in touch. By 1984, Bush had renamed his company Bush Exploration, but he was experiencing problems getting sufficient financial backing. According to a 1982 prospectus, Bush wanted to raise $6 million for his drilling program, but managed to attract only $1.1 million, owing primarily to a slide in oil prices. And in the projects that were undertaken the newly named company wasn't finding much oil. That's when DeWitt and Reynolds re-entered the scene. Spectrum 7 at that time, DeWitt said, was investing in parts of wells but wasn't operating any. Bush Exploration was involved in the operational aspect of the business. So the merger permitted DeWitt and Reynolds to do what they did best attract financing and permitted Bush to do what he did best operate wells. "We ended up merging our oil and gas exploration companies," DeWitt said. Records show the merger was accomplished through a stock exchange, with DeWitt and Reynolds each getting 20.1 percent of the newly formed business, which retained the name Spectrum 7, and Bush receiving 16.3 percent. Bush was installed as chairman and CEO with a salary of $75,000. Rea, the Midland operative, was made president. The association lasted two years. By 1986, oil prices had fallen and investment funds dried up. Spectrum 7 reported a net loss of $1.6 million in 1985. By 1986, a barrel of oil, which had brought in $100 in the late 1970s, had declined to about $9. "It was a function of the market, not a function of our inadequacies as an oil company," Reynolds said. No one blamed Bush for the problems. DeWitt said tax laws were changed, depressing the incentive for individuals to do much exploring. "He was a great leader, a good delegater, and he understands and understood that business, which is obviously a risky business," DeWitt said. Bush, Reynolds and DeWitt finally got out of the business in reasonably good shape, although, as DeWitt said, "nobody made a lot of money." Facing an additional $402,000 in losses by mid-1986, Spectrum 7 merged with Harken Oil and Gas, of Dallas, in a five-for-one stock trade. But the association among Bush, DeWitt and Reynolds was far from over. During their two-year partnership in Spectrum 7, DeWitt, Reynolds and Bush occasionally would fly over the Texas vastness to meet with potential investors. During those long hours, DeWitt and Bush would discuss baseball. The game maintained a prominent place in the hearts of both men DeWitt through his father and his partial ownership of the Reds, and Bush through the Walker side of his family, original investors in the New York Mets. In 1988, Bush was working in his father's successful presidential campaign. He was contacted by DeWitt, whose impeccable major league sources had informed him that Eddie Chiles, owner of the Texas Rangers, was looking to get out. "He (Bush) always talked about getting into the baseball business some day," DeWitt said. "I thought it was a natural. He really wanted to get involved. And asked me to work on it until the election was over. He was very excited." Bush eventually joined forces with Ed "Rusty" Rose, a Texas businessman, to purchase the franchise in 1989 for less than $80 million but only $25 million in cash, the remainder being assumed debts. Bush, responsible for pulling in half the funding, kicked in $600,000 of his own and made up the rest through additional investors, which included DeWitt and Reynolds. The deal made Bush financially. Aided by a $135 million governmental subsidy to help build a new stadium, the value of the Texas Rangers skyrocketed during Bush's term as general partner. His share went into a trust when he was elected governor of Texas in 1994. When the team was sold in 1998, his original $600,000 investment had grown to about $16 million. Today, DeWitt and Reynolds are still working with Bush even though, as Reynolds noted, raising money for political causes "is not our primary occupation." "The thing that differentiates George from his competitors in this race or the other Republicans is that you really have a sense that he's more in touch with people and I think that compassion is genuine," Reynolds said. "His interest in unifying the party has been instilled in his being. He has a tremendous sense of faith and justice." (Bill Straub is a reporter for Scripps Howard News Service) Capital Briefs Human Events , Nov 15, 2004 * BASEBALL BUDDY: Speculation about a replacement for Evans at Commerce centered on Cincinnati real estate magnate Mercer Reynolds. Reynolds is another old Bush friend, who invested in the Texas Rangers Major League Baseball team when Bush was the team's managing partner. He later served as Bush's ambassador to Switzerland, before becoming finance chairman of the President's reelection campaign. Reynolds is reputed to be a humble, hard-working, hands-on manager, who labored especially hard to help Bush win Ohio. "The weekend before the election, when everyone was nervous, Mercer Reynolds showed up in my office to do volunteer phone calls," Ohio GOP Chairman Bob Bennett told the Associated Press. "He really surprised me. I said, 'Mercer, what are you doing here?' He said, I came to help out.'" Mercer Reynolds Mercer Reynolds was appointed to OpenTVA's Board of Directors in 2007. He has served as: Chairman of the Board of Reynolds, DeWitt & Co. since 1979 (except during his tenure as United States Ambassador); United States Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein from 2001 to 2003. 3 Cincinnati men to buy Cardinals The Cincinnati Post December 23, 1995 Author: From staff and wire reports Anheuser-Busch Cos. Inc. has agreed to sell the St. Louis Cardinals for $150 million to a group of investors that includes three Cincinnati businessmen - William DeWitt Jr., Robert H. Castellini and Mercer Reynolds. It would be the second-highest price paid for a baseball team.The new owners, led by St. Louis lawyer Fred Hanser, said they will keep the team in St. Louis. The deal is expected to be closed Feb. 15. The deal includes Busch Stadium and its parking garages. The stadium will retain the name.In addition to Hanser and the Cincinnati men, the group includes Andrew Baur, president of Southwest Bank in St. Louis; Pulitzer Publishing Co., owner of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch; Donna DeWitt Lambert, William DeWitt's sister; and John K. Wallace Jr. Anheuser-Busch announced in October it wanted to sell the team, which it has owned since 1953, to focus more on its core businesses. Edition: MetroSection: SportsPage: 2D Copyright 1995 The Cincinnati Post Record Number: CNP122300037790089 Reynolds, 54, hails from a wealthy and well-established Chattanooga family. He came to Cincinnati in late 1969 as a representative for Thomas Inc., a Coca-Cola distributor. He later joined Gradison and Co., an investment house, in 1974, the same year as DeWitt."I always loved the investment business," Reynolds said. "Bill had just moved in with Gradison, which was kind of a local brokerage operation at the time, and we formed a good friendship. When Bill left to run the Stingers, he turned his accounts over to me."When the Stingers folded, Reynolds was working at Thompson-McKenna, another investments firm. At the time the oil business was booming and the two decided to get into it, forming Spectrum 7 Energy Corp., an exploration firm that raised funds to buy into potential gushers.Around that same time, having lost a congressional race and armed with little money but with degrees from Yale, Harvard and carrying a famous name, George W. Bush also decided to seek his fortune in the oil business. Beginning operations in March 1979 in the West Texas town of Midland, the same place his father got started, Bush opened Arbusto Energy Corp. (arbusto meaning bush in Spanish) and began looking for investors to begin drilling.Both DeWitt and Reynolds remember their first visit with Bush, over lunch at the Midland Club, in 1982 at a time when Bush's father was serving his second year as vice president under Ronald Reagan. It was arranged by Paul Rea, a DeWitt cousin who was serving as Spectrum 7's representative in Midland. "Paul thought he (Bush) would be a good person to get to know," Reynolds said. "He was viewed as a very good operator." FIRST LADY TO ATTEND INDIAN HILL BASH Cincinnati Post, The (OH) June 4, 2003 Author: Michael Collins, Post Washington Bureau First lady Laura Bush is coming to Cincinnati this month for a fund-raiser for her husband's re-election campaign. Mrs. Bush will attend a fund-raiser at the Indian Hill home of Mercer Reynolds III June 25, a Republican source said. If her schedule permits, the first lady might make another appearance in Cincinnati the same day, the source said, but details of that event are still incomplete.Reynolds, a multimillionaire and former business partner of President Bush, is serving as finance chairman of Bush's re-election campaign.Reynolds was a partner with Bush in |
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