The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-07
San Antonio Police Doubt
Mystery Woman Escaped.
She's Now Reported Hiding on
! Ranch Near City.
SAID THEIR SON JACK" CAUSE
Newspaper Reporter Claims to
Have interviewed Her.
Fled When Recognized, But
Halted by Flat Tires.

San Antonio, Tex, Dec. THE
local sheriffs office is today investi-
eating a report that Clara Smith
Hamon sought in connection with the
death of Jake Hamon, the Ardmore,
Okla, millionaire. is hiding in a ranch
house twenty-eight miles south of San
Antonio. Little credence is placed in
, the report as the best information of
the authorities is that she has escaped
into Mexico on her way to South
America
Investigation has disclosed that Mrs.
Hamon was in San Antonio ten days
ago. The following day she was in
Laredo and she is believed to have es-
capetd into the southern republic on
one of the crowded trains carrying
Americans to the Obregon Inaugural
F, ton.
| She was literally supplied with
money. South America is beiievedAby
the local. authorities to be her OBJ
! jective.
Disbciieve Reporters Story.
P. M. Ross. a local newspaper man
who last night sent out dispatches
from here saying that he had con-
versed near San Antonio with Miss
J Clara Smith, sought in connection with
! the fatal shooting of Jake L. Hamon,
of Ardmore, Okla, and that she had
I
shot Hamon, was taken into custody
by police early today.
| At the conclusion of the conference
Capt. James Duncan of the police de-
partment stated that he was inclined
to dou ot the newspaper mans story.
Ross, according to the police re-
fused to tell the whereabouts of the
young woman, asserting that he would
go to Jail first. When questioned he
declared he became acquainted with
lice hi fla rIrfv
paper in Oklahoma. He told his Ques-
TONERS. it was stated. that that he first
saw Miss Smith on the streets of San
Antonio and that she tried to evade
him by driving away In a large motor
car.
Reporter Chased Her.
He said that he pursued her in a
smaller car. but being unable to over
take her. hired a large service car and
resumed the chase, overtaking her
just outside the city limits.
Following their questioning of Ross,
police officials said they were inclined
to abandon the search for Miss Smith
here, especially after detectives had
made an investigation at one of the
leading hotels and failed to find any
trace of her.
A report from Oklahoma City had
limited that she could be found at the
hotel. 1t was emphasized at police
headquarters that further investiga-
siOii VI IhS SasS loCdlly NVuiu Cepehu
upon the wishes of the Ardmore au-
! thoritieS.
s'Son jack" the Cause.
While a companion fixed two flat
tires on Miss Smiths automobile, Ross
said he took her to a nearby farm
house and there she told him she had
killed Hamon for the sake of their
son, Jack" According to Ross. she
declared she was willing to face any
just judge or any jury of woraen.
The story told by Ross of his inter-
view with Miss Smith, according to
police followed somewhat her state
ments to r. w Sails of Dallas, the
chauffeur who drove Miss Smith from
Dallas to Cisco.
Ross, who is an employe OF the San
Antonio News. said he had heard in
l n hotel lobby last Saturday that Miss
{ Smith was in San Antonio and thru
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