The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-12-09
Half Million Dollar Bond is
Pledged for Clara Smith
HamOn if She is
Arrested.
MAY GIVE HERSELF UP
Report From Texas That She Will
Voluntarily Surrender and Face
Accusation Of
Murder.

UNITED Press Leased Wire Service. ]
/ ARDMORE, Okla, Dec. 9.-County
Attorney Russell Brown today wired
Sheriff Seth Orendorff, at Ell Paso,
to apprehend Clara Smith Hamon
sought in connection with the death
of Jake l.. Hamon, millionaire Oil
man and politician.
Browns wire was sent following
second message from OrendorH say
ing that he knew the hiding place Of
Clara Hamon, but could not act with
out proper authority from officials
here. 3
"If the plans for surrendering
Clara Smith Hamon are as reported,
now is the proper time for her to 90
so. as public opinion in Ardmore has
Icrystallized in her favor said c. A.
Coakly, member Of the law firm of
Coakly and Mathers, retained by four
prominent unnamed Ardmorites to
defend the accused woman
! Coakly asserted that he had not
received confirmation of the report
that a Fort Worth law firm had ar
ranged to have Clara Smith Hamon
voluntarily surrender.
I'VE have absolute pledges Of one
half million dollars bond for Clara
Smith Hamon, the moment she re-
turns to Ardmore," Coakly declared.
NV firm was retained by four promi-
inent citizens of Ardmore to act for
the woman on any charge that might
be placed against her within one
hour after Hamon died.
If the Ell Paso sheriff is heard from
definitely by noon, Sheriff Buc!1 Car
rett or a deputy will probably leave
TOR Ell Paso, Brown said
Ruth Hamon is Saiesgirf.
: SACRAMENTO, Calf, Dec. g
Pretty Ruth Walker Halnon, who
claims to be the wife Of Frank l..
Hamon, nephew Of Jake Hamon, dead
Oklahoma millionaire politician, con
tinued to preside over the tin ware
counter of a department. store here
today, just as if she hadn't sprung
into the lime-light.
At the same time she stood firm
on her statements of yesterday, made
in an interview charging the dead
millionaire paid Frank l.. Hamon
who later became her own husband,
500 2. month to marry Clara Smith,
so that Miss Smith could have the
name of HamOn.
1t is Clara Hamon Smith who now
is charged at Ardmore, Oklahoma with
the murder of Jake Hamon.
This affair is getting too compli-
Gated for me-" Mrs. Ha1non said to-
day. Il don't want to force myself in
to- it. But l feel that l am entitled
to consideration, protection and sup
port"
She reiterated her belief that her
husband was in Cubd.
Mrs. Hamon, who dresses prettily,
has wavy brown hair and an attractive
appearance, answered questions in
the intervals between dealing out
pie tins and such to various custom
ers Once during the interview the
manager of the store looked her way.
I've got to go now she said.
"See, he's coming now"
Ruth Drops From Sight.
SACRAM AMENTO, Cafif., Dec. 8
Ruth Walker Hamon, who claims to
be the wife of Frank l.. Hamon,
nephew of dead Jake Hamon, Okla
homa politician, suddenly dropped
from sight today.
Her employer at a five to fifty cent
store" said this morning she notified
him she was going on a brief vaca-
ton and Immediately left her job.
No one seemed to know where she had
gone.
Think She is in Mexico.
Ell PASO, Texas, Dec. 9.-"Clara
Smith Hamon is in Mexico, we feel
sure" local officer declared this
morning.
When asked If the woman was any
nearer arrest this morning than yes
terday, the officer replied:
'T can't say. There's nothing on