The Washington times., 1921-03-09

at the hospital at all when her hus-
band died. but that she was getting
ready to go 10 see him when she re-
ceived word that he had passed away.
The story carrying report Of the
death of the national committeeman
began thus: "Joke L. Hamon million
aire oil man Of Ardmore, who was
accidently shot here last Sunday
while cleaning a revolver etc. All
outside newspapers already had
abandoned that version OF the shoot
ing and were keeping their eyes hot
on the trail Of Clara Smith, whom
County Attorney Brown was making
every effort to apprehend.
LOOKED OUTSIDE FOR NEWS.
From then until Sheriff Buck Gar
rett finally brought the young wom-
an home from Juarez. Mexico, the
Daily Ardmoreite published none Of
the Associated Press News covering
the pursuit of the accused. Thus did
the people of Ardmore and the sur
rounding territory have to depend
upon outside papers for the news con-
cerning the biggest news event Of the
towns existence.
Correspondents who were sent by
(other newspapers to Ardmore got no
cooperation from the Ardmoreite,
which in several instances printed
editorial expressions directed against
the men who were doing their utmost
to get the facts. The city editor Of
the Ardmoreite, who is a local cor
respondent for the Associated Presa
faithfully covered the story from day
to day for the big news association.
and just as faithfully squelched IL for
her own paper-the city editor being
an estimable young woman. by the
way.
She was under instructions. The
board Of directors OF the paper. II Is
understood. held a meeting shortly
after the shooting of Mr.. Hamon and
directed that the news be not printed
After all was over, one of the di-
rectors, a wealthy oil man and a very
popular citizen, made strenuous ef-
forts to have Mrs. Jake l. Hamon, a
resident OF Chicago for a number of
years, Endorsed by the Republican
State central committee as successor
to her husband on the national COM
mittee.
Mrs. Hanon got twenty-seven votes
her successful opponent James Har-
ris. OF Wagner, known as big jim.
received forty-nine votes. Thus did
Ardmore run true to form, the Ard
more attitude vindicating itself in
trying to perpetuate Hamonism in
Oklahoma politics.
All these facts are given without
bias, but as a plain piece OF report
ing, with a view to setting forth the
Ardmore attitude. That attitude. be-
ing extraordinary, is a part OF the
story. 1t helps to show the astound-
ing influence which this slain man
exerts, even in death. upon the south
ern Oklahoma community which, liv-
ing. he ruled politically and hnan-
cially.
The writer believes. along with
Ardmore and southern Oklahoma
that Jake Hamon was a most re-
markable man, a unique in American
politics, and that as such he is en-
titled to presentation in this
chronicle as nearly accurate as may
be possible. As reporter, he has
sought to marshal the raw material
and present II so as to give a true
picture Of the subject permitting the
reader to form his own conclusions
knowing southern Oklahoma as he
does, the writer believes that il is
not amiss to suggest. just to enhance
the interest. that IL all the rest OF the
United States were like southern
Oklahoma, and most particularly like
Ardmore-if the whole country held
the Ardmore attitude. in short-then
the late Jake l.. Hamon, had he lived
few years. in all likelihood would
have achieved his ambition to be-
come President of the United States.
This is said not in sarcasm, but seri-
ously. / believe that the foregoing
presentation OF the case bears out this
most interesting conclusion
(TO Be Concluded Tomorrow In The
Washington Times.)