The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1921-03-07

10 renew his reSpcctaMiity IN keeping
with the new political estate in which
he found himself as result OF his
succosScs In the last political cam
paign.
DETERMINED To rORsAkE
ASSOCIATE or 10 YEARS
To rchaoilitate himself he had de-
tcrmincd TO forSakc Clara Hamon.
with whom he had Associated openly
for 10 years. and 60 reiuxtaie himself
with the wife whom he had deserted
and his two children.
IL was with this In view that Hs-
mon had negotiated the separation
agreement with tho girl who was TO
Kill him IN the hour OF their parting.
That Hamon had won the favor OF
President Harding to "A degree gencr'
ally unknown has been learnSi since
his tragic death He swung his in
fiucncc from Wood 10 Harding at the
Chicago convention. He contributed
literally to Hardinx's expenses In
Chicago. And after inducing Hard
ing to quit tho front porch to make
a campaign speech in Oklahoma. he
spent $4,000 TO insure Harding a
glorious reception
To top all this off. Hamon. as ma.
tional committeeman. delivered Okla
hcma to the republican party the
first time In It's history.
SLATED FOR SECRETARY
or THE INTERIOR
II was believed In Oklahoma after
the Harding victory that Hamon
could have anything he asked: II was
even Regarded as highly probable
that he would be made secretary of
the interior.
Hut Hanron perceived that his PR
vAfe hfc would become a national
scandal unless he got nd Of Clara
Hamon- Even the fact that she bore
the Hauou nasnc---which she &C
auircd by marriage to a nephew OF
Jake Hsmon whom she shortly after
ward divorccd--would not save his
face.
So b decided 10 bring his wife. son
~ 10 and daughter Of II. back from
Chicago 10 Ardmorc.
All arrangements were completed.
Ms, Hamon and the children were
pr,paring TO move: Clara Hamon was
gonsg to live In California on q sct.
tlcmcnt--cvcn had her railroad
0cke1
rhsn came the shooting IN the no.
,es suite In Arimore. where they had
lived aver since Hamon dominated
her as q girl Of II.
Did Clara Hamon shoot him In
seif-defense on what was to be their
Last day together. or did she ahoot
him Deliberately rather than give
hmm up 60 his wife and children,
This |. tAe question the trial Is to
enswcr.
ACCIDENTAL SHOT,
Is HAAfONS MESSAGE
Il wa. accidentally shot. b me
nessa~e Hasnon sent TO the world
while he lay dying in Artmore.
IL was the last gallant act q n
contradictory character.
Hamon was poverty stricken when
he met Clara Smith.a clerk In dry
goods store. He often said his luck
changed the day he put his eyes on
her. She became his business adj.
wiser: many know her "a his secre-
.ary.
hsnnon was known as poitucfan
Ia shabby politician az fhst--whcn
he took up with Clara Smith. No
one ever had suspected he had real
business ability.
In territorfai days IN Oklahoma he
had risen 10 some prominence In re-
publican circles. then siumped. He
became involved m a land deal and
was indicted for fraud. but from this
he got clear. As fafc as 1919 ne was
nckcfkes wandcrer around the re
publican national convention hall.
Then came his railway and town.
site scheme.
~ pipe dream satd hts frrnfs
In his boybood In Kansas Hamon
had worked as n circus roustabout.
Thinking over this experience gave
him bunch.
WENT TO NEW YORK
ON BORROWED MONEY
He Travelled to New York on bor-
rowcd money. Entered the Waldorf
bar. Ranged. himself alongside a
prosperous gentleman. Seemingly
by accident. he knocked over his
neighbor's cocktail Apologies. Elk
change Of names.
so You are John Ringing, the cir
eus man" exclaimed Harnon. Well.
you owe me some money.
Hows hatF asked Ringing,
suddenly turning cool
Il had 1885 coming when 1 quit as
a roustabout Tor your circus, and
never sent IN a bill, exclaimed Ha-
mon, laughing.
Another meeting. Hamon inter
ested Ringing IN his projects for a
railroad from Ardrnore 10 townsite