The Washington times., 1921-03-09

Dig DlacK neadHneS extolled the Wiz
tues of the candidate. One read thus:
Jake Hamon Is Clean, Honorable and
Never Forgets a Friend. Is Verdict OF
Deals Of Importance" Another cap
tion ran: "Sake Hamon Is Not a
Prude and He Didn't Hesitate to Save
the Life of This Fallen, Friendless
Woman" Still another told this:
Jake Hamon Endorsed as Honorable
and Upright Business Man, One OF
Stern Integrity, by Man Who Is
Lifelong Believer in the Wilsonian
Party"
A fourth heading ran: "Representa-
tive Member of Democratic Legal Pro-
fession endorses the Candidacy of
Hamon."
There were several articles setting
forth the generous deeds of Mr.. Hamon
in providing funds to aid crippled
children, but the Sample Copy" as a
whole was paean Of all-around
praise for the Ardmore man as a Re-
publican and a citizen.
Samples of the celebrated sample
Copy are kept pigeon-holed in many
Oklahoma desks today, being taken
out for refreshingly light winter read
ing. I am advised that they are in
demand. like first editions Of Shelley
or Keats, and will fetch handsome
prices II put upon the market.
Thus, much of the sample Copy
enterprise is given solely for the pur.
pose Of indicating the trend Of local
journalism toward the late Mr.
Hamon. The subject Of those sketches
once was on the point of leaving Ard
more-going to Texas, in fact-where
he expected to be elected Republican
national committeeman in a Demo
cratic State, in the hope of having a
Federal Administration and admins
tering the political patronage of
Titanic Texas
That. of course, was prior to the
fight for the Oklahoma committee
manship. A committee Of fourteen
leading Ardmore citizens, eleven be-
ing Democrats and three being Re
publicans. waited upon Hamon and
induced him to remain there.
HAMoN ALARMED.
The apparent nothing-the national
committee 5ob-meant, of course, a
tremendous political power for the
holder in the event Of the election of
Republican President When Con-
gressman J. w. Harreld. known in
Ardmore as Lucky WILL" entered the
race for the United States Senator
ship. Jake Hamon is said to have be-
come genuinely alarmed.
Lucky Bill" by the way. got his
pleasant nickname because some years
ago, when living in Ardmore, he made
nearly 100000 in oil property through
an investment of one-third of s25 and
the loan of the other two-thirds to two
poverty-strfcken brethren in his
church. One of these brethren is re-
ported to have said. when they needed
$25 to get hold of an oil land lease
which promised big results, Lets ask
Brother Harreld to put up the money
for us and come in on the deal
Through Brother Harreld's loan each
OF these gentlemen made nearly 5000
600.
Senator Harold is a highly popular
man, ana he Is said to deserve his
luck. Oklahomans had begun to hint
at MIN Tor the Vice Presidency before
his election to the Senate
Years ago those three young ,aw-
yers who stuck by Lawton until the
new town made good were friends
put Tom Gore, who became United
states Senator later. and Jake Hamon
mad a falling out over a certain land
deal. This difference never was
patched up. 1t is common report in
Oklahoma that Hamon put up money
to aid Scott Ferris in his tight against
Senator Gore for the nomination last
summer.
1t is common report also that some
Hamon money found its way into the
campaign fund of Schoolmaster Rag
wei, OF Springer, little town near
Ardmore' who ran for the Senate on
the Socialist ticket. This aid was
given to the Socialist, it is stated in
okiahomas inside political circles,
because Hamon knew that IL HarreId
won the Senatorship the two of them
Senator and committeeman, would
have to split fifty-fifty on the patron-
age spoils. Mr.. Harreld got most of
the Socialist vote, nevertheless. and
nosed out considerably ahead of the
Presidential ticket itself.
ALL FAIR IN POLITICs.
These statements are set down IN
indicate that 1t was Hamon success
rather than Republican success. which
the aspirant to the ultimate goal Of
the Presidency most dearly desired
AlTs fair in politics-that seemed to
be his motto.
Let us return now to the local
journalistic attitude of a la Hamon
For 80 days following the Shooting
OF Jake ,Hamon and up to the bring
Ing back from Mexico, whether she
had fed, of Clara Smith. newsnaners
in various parts OF the United States
carried the Ardmore tragedy new, on
their front pages.
The Daily Ardmoreite Of Ardmore
carefully avoided the news, which of
course was highly centralized intel
ltgence. Meagre mention OF tho
shooting was n.ade, the statement be-
ing carried that Mr.. Hamon had shot
himself accidentally whilst cleaning
revolver. This he is said To have
stated himself, and he is said to have
clung to the statement until the end.
When he died, November 26, the Ard
moreite turned all the column.ru,ea
on its frst page as badge Of mourn
ing. and ran this two-line heading
across its seynn columns at the ton.
Holding the Hand of His Loving
n Nil