The New York herald., 1921-03-12
STATE SCORES AT
CLARA SMITH TRIAL
Doctor Says Hamon Admitted
He Had Been Shot by Woman
Defendant.
WOMEN CROWD COURT
Counsel Builds Up Case Of
elf-Defence-Dead Mans
Clothing Examined.

spcciat Despatch 20 THE New yoRK HEsAtn
ARDMoRE, Okla. March i1.-That por-
ton of Ardmore's population that gained
entrance to the court room to-day wit
messed two women-Clara Smith Ha-
mon. on trial for murder, and Jake
lannon's widow--weep over the display
Of the dead mans clothes before the
iury.
The State dealt it's first material blow
at Clara Smith Hamon late to-day when
DR.. Walter Hardy. attending physician
to Hamon, was called. Through Or.
Hardy's testimony the defendant d.
rectly was accused of firing the shot
that brought death to the former Re-
publican National Committeeman. oil
man and railroad builder
DR.. Hardy testified that Hanon told
him that Clara Smith shot him. and
pledged the physician not TO reveal his
admission except in open court
The afternoon session found the de-
fence attorneys fighting almost every
foot of legal ground gained by the State.
Through William Mclean objections re-
peatedly were made to questions put by
States attorneys and testimony given
in answer.
On cross examination of DR.. Hardy
the defence scored a number Of times
and In a degree weakened the testimony
given by the witness. The physicfan's
statement that Hamon told him Clara
Smith shot him, however, was not al
tered by cross-examination.
seIf-Defence Indicated.
In the course of the cross-exaniina-
ton the defence bore out the generally
accepted belief that the defendant will
rely almost totally on a seif-defence
plea.
HE told me that ne was shot and
that Clara did IT," testified DR.. Hardy
In relating the entrance and subsequent
statement of Hamon In the Hardy Sani-
tarium, to which the wounded man
walked after receiving his mortal
wound.
when he entered the hallway
looked at him and realized something
was wrong and asked him what was
the matter. He put his arms around
mo and kissed me on the cheek and
told me he was shot" said the physi-
clan.
Clothing worn by Hamon was identi-
fed by DR.. Hardy. The defence charged
that the States only purpose In intro
ducing the wearing apparel was TO
prejudice the jury.
1t was while the twelve men were
examining and passing the clothing from
one to the other that the two women
showed their first emotion. The defend
ant covered her eyes witn n handker-
chief The widow dropped her head on
the shoulder Of her son, Jake Hamon.
Jr.. and sobbed The curious strained
forward 70 catch glimpse OF the won-
en-. A recess was ordered an6 then the
widow was assisted from the court
room.
women Crowd the Court.
In tho testimony Or Hardy related
that the defendant called and was per-
United 70 see Hanion following the
shooting. She remained two or three
minutes. The physician denied he had
seen Hamon, when the young woman
entered. put his arms around her and
kiss her. He did admit, however. In
answer to questions. that nurse told
him Clara smith kissed hamon
on cross-cxamination the physician
admitted that liquor had something to
do with lannon's death, and that II he
had been in normal physical condi-
ton In every respect he might have
recovered from the wound.
why didn't you tell Russell 3.
Brown. former County Attorney. that
HGnon told you cara Snith sho' MIN!
Mclean asked.
because ! was pledged not 70 re-
veal It except in open court" answered
the witness.
AT the afternoon session men and
women crowded the entrances and law
vers and principals could not enter until
a path was cleared. Women with red
faces and hats dangling to one side
pushed for places where they could soc
and hear.
Through cross-examination of negro
maid at the Randol Hotel. the defence
indicated that the States theory that
Hanon was shot while in his own room
xro,,Id he aatly contrndicted.