The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1921-03-10
aV
! !sEEK 12MEN
|FOSERvEON
|HAM0NJURY
csut Room at Ardmore
Jammed With Specta-
tors as Gavel Falls.

Hem0fe, OKia., Malcn 1v.-At
~ o'clock this morning Judge
fhcuas W. Champion ascended the
nd, dropped his gavel. the
,ailiR intoned his "oyez, oyez. the
hooolsble district court Of Carter
~unty is now in session." and the
is,al Of Clara Smith Hamon for the
allwed murder Of Jake L. Hamon,
0tlahoma's greatest murder trial in
Il ysars Of statehood was under
NJ.
fhs courtroom which had been
rftually empty until a few minutes
bstpre the trial opened, filled with q
ush Just before court convened
ud when the trial started every
III was filled and persons were
lining the walls on all sides.
Nm Clara Smith Hamon, the de-
tsadant. accompanied by her
mother and sister, entered the
eourtroom promptly at 9 o'clock
lld all three took seats behind
hose reserved for her counsel.
Friends came up to where she sat
~ sh00k hands with her.
I Mn. Jake L. HamOn was not in
4 II courtroom.
With the examination of 21 men,
u men who had not disqualified
Henselves On either state or de-
eass examination, were in the
ty box. It was apparent that
1aeh surprise w1escaused by the
nss and rapidity OF the selection.
bach side had LEFT nine peremp-
pry challenges.
The defense examination of ven
iremen was conducted by Joe Ben
Champion, twin brother of the pre-
siding Judge. He asked the first
man II the presence on prosecution
counsel Of the state attorney gen.
sal would influence him. 1t was
Indicated this was the first attack
by the defense on the participation
Of Attorney General Freezing In the
eass.
A partial list Of Witnesses was
mad to B. L. Laughridge, the second
under examination, and the names
d Ardmore bankers summoned
we're noted. He was asked If they
could influence q decision in the
use. 1t had been indicated BY de.
tsase counsel, it would bring Out
That point, as indicative of the part
money possibly might play in the
trial.
Both sides said a Jury would bs
selected by the middle of the after
noon and expressed pleasure with
NE progress Of the trial.
Ardmore, Okla, March 10.-All
NE principal figures in the trial ol
Clara Smith Hamon, charged with
me murder Of Jake L. Hamon, oil
and railroad millionaire and Re.
psblican national committeeman
nom Oklahoma, were in readiness
iof the opening of the trial at
o'clock this morning.
Counsel for the defense and pros
ecution announced that they were
teady to begin, 1872 veniremen had
oeen summoned, and Judge Thomas
v. champion said the Carter coun'
y district court docket was clear
q TOR this case.
The defendant held q final con
l9ence with her counsel late las
Msnt, and s. P. Freeling, attorney
!eneral Of Oklahoma, worked fal
mo the night completing his planl
u the states case.
both sides agreed that the Length
" tne trial depended on the tactics
sacpted In examining veniremen fol
ny service and the rulings o.
seoee Champion as to the length
" ume which might be consumed
IN examinations.
noth defense and state counse
Ao they would be content with
aAnoilng the case on its merits q,
murder case and no "resortinl
= srandstanding" would be done
sespite the fact that the case Is re
ssfoed as attracting more attention
1An any other in Oklahoma's i
~n history ~ q state.
!. including a special venire Of 147
s we're are 1872 veniremen. Tn,
ses plans are to choose IL WHIT
- not disqualify themselves ii
@ examination for service OF
~ 1ery. leaving these to examina
~ by the defense, until botl
80 agree on IL. Each side thel
. permitted to exercise nine per
s,psofy challenges. Under thil
- some observers said the jur.
uio not be selected today, Will,
a point ont that in other case,
tsietiy. ~ ''' "" 'e'
ln. Hamoa sn Hand.
~. Hamon. widow Of the oi
snate. has announced her inten
~ ~ OF appearing as . witness TO
sAte and attending all session
S ne trial.
h : nnal statement before tn
.oday. Mrs. Hamon said sh
etted she had not taken actiol
ago while Clara Smith Ha
~ was still Clara Smith. to en-,
s0caatton With Hamon.