South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-03-18
JURY RETURNS
VERDICT AFTER
BRIEF DELIBER
One Ballot Suffices to Free
Accused Woman Jury
Out 10 Minutes.
UNDECIDED on FUTURE
Clara Smith Hamon SAYS She
May Return TO Ill Paso 10
Visit Sick Father.

By Associated Press
ARDNORE, Okla. March H..
Clara Smith Hamon Thursday was
acquitted OF a charge Of having muir
dered Jake I. Hamoni republican
national committeeman from okla
/ homa and millionaire railroad and
oil promoter.
The jury was given the case al
4:Go p. m, and returned 20 the court
room forty minutes later B. T. q.
Laushridge. IS years old foreman.
said only one ballot was taken, a Sc
cret one. confirmed by "a rising vote
Told In Advance.
Clara Hanlon obtained the infor-
nation fully seven minutes before
/ the verdict was rendered in open
court and sat. surrounded by mem
bers OF her family, half smiling. half
afraid to believe the nous OF assur-
lance that were bent toward her
When Judge Thomas ". Cham
pion mounted the bench and received
an affirmative response 10 his qucs-
: tion.
Gentlemen have lou reached a
NtfnliL. the Judge AaA4ftA -n AD
the clerk who read it.
Clara Hamon gasped audibly in
the tensely silent court room. droop-
ed forward in her seat. only 20 bc
seized from behind by her younger
/ brother Jimmie, squeezed violently
and kissed. Tears came 20 her eyes
and the other members OF her family
cried with her as she crossed to tho
standing jurors. and haldngly thank
ed them for their verdict.
"I am the happiest woman in the
world" she said.
Escapes Crowds.
She used a secret passage from
the court room 10 escape the crowds
which threatened 10 overwhelm her
with congratulations
Thursday night her plans for the
future were incomplete. she and
members OF her counsel Of six at
torneys said. She is considering "a
number Of business propositions. ac-
cording 10 Walter Scott for Fort
Worth. Tex. one % her counsel but
what she shall do in the immediate
future IS undetermined.
Her father. J. I. Smith. Is serious
ly IN ar FL Paso, and 1T was said
she might return there % be with
him in the last days of what is term
ed an illness which may be fatal.
Family Absent
None Of the members Of the fam
fly OF Jake Hamon was In the court
room when the jury returned the
verdict Mrs. Hamon, the widow.
] q 2
left when the case was placed in the
jurys hands Mrs. Hamon at that
time was in tears.
Mrs. Hamon attended all The sCs-
sions Of the trial except two. clad
Iin deep mourning and sitting direct
Ily opposite Clara Hamon thirty in-
lches away.
] not once during the entire trial.
which began a week ago did the
two women appear 20 become con-
J scious Of each other. except on the
days they testified when each re-
garded the other closely
Thursday night it was said Mrs.
Hamou had not learned the verdict
and would not be told until Iriday.
on account Of her nervous condition.
SIR Hamon was shot on tho night
Of November q last, az the -Jlfcira-
zion of what was brought out Dr.
evidence introduced at tho .-lal az
being "a vicious fight with the young
defendant BE was shot crcr
'througat the upper -stt body wlth
In 25 cciorc bullet. and d.,5 ..e
days later
clara Hamon i-meI.ateiy Ie-t
.Arduore. departing ou <urlur.r
.2- It was Established during tcs
trial 'h1t she left u1oH instructions
of Mr. Hauo- as inc lay upon 3D. aos-
uItar cot Frank T.. kctch former
business manager for SIR H.m8r
land now administrator l.r ta.
. Hauon estate. furnished hcr $4,000
under direction Of 2T- H-uo7-
Went To Mexico.
She went 90 chihuahua City Mex
.ico. travelling part way across Okla
homa and Texas by automobile and
trying Intellectually once 20 obtain am
.alrpIaue for her flight. She sl-rcr-
de-ed o. the Carter county sherry
Iat II Paso and returned 20 Arduo-e
Ion Christmas day
The states case was based upon
.alIe-ed dying statements Of Sir.
Hamou iu which he was quoted as
having said that he had been shot
hv Clara Hamor as he iay upon tho
bed in his own room of the two they
had together occupied for a NUM-
ber of wears iu The Ardmorc hotel.
Arr Hamou vas declared in -es-f-
morv to have said that Clara Hamon
.rame 90 his bedside. placed her icIt
hand upon his forehead and fred .he
bullet into his body with the amy
automatic pistol held In her right
hand.
Clara lannon's defense was buit
.about "a plea % self defense and jusI-
fable homicide. on tr- stauc t.yo
1CONTINUED on PAGE FOCR)