Evening star., 1921-03-12
HAMON ACCUSED
CLARA AS HE DIED
Declared Woman Fired While
She Stroked Head, Wit
ness Says.

d.,
L. Hamon, millionaire oil man and
railroad builder and former republic
can national committeeman from
Oklahoma, on his death bed accused
Clara Smith Hamon, now on trial on
charge of murder in connection
with his death, Of having fired a bull
let into his body with a pistol held
in her right hand while she stood
at is bedside stroking his head with
made on the witness stand today by
w. b. Nichols, business associate
OF Hamon.
Spoke Of Long Trip.
Testimony that Clara Hamon came
to his garage the day before
Hamon was shot and ordered two
extra castings placed on her auto
mobile. saying that she was going to
take long trip" was offered today
oy harry Foster. garage employe.
Foster. the first witness called by
the state today, also said that he
had seen Clara Hamon with a pistol a
number Of times, and that the morn
ing following lannon's shooting. Clara
came to the garage and asked that the
TIRE changes be made quickly. as she
had far to 60"
The witness said the young woman
was very nervous. He saw no bruises
on her face or hands. he testified.
It was agreed by counsel that the
afternoon session of court should be
curtained to one hour.
Place OF Shooting Viewed.
Accompanied by Sheriff Garrett and
Clara Hamon, the jury visited the
hotel where Hamon was shot. first in
specting the room occupied by Clara
Hamon, and Joined by a connecting
door to the one occupied by Mr.
Hamon.
Clara Hamon personally arranged
the furniture and effects as near as
possible to the location on the day Of
the shooting. 1t was noticed that
only by extreme effort did she main
tain her composure. dropping into a
chair just as soon as she had COM
pleted the few changes.
Kshort time later. when taking Of
testimony was resumed. she heard the
testimony CT DR.. Walter Hardy that
Mr.. Hamon had come to his santa
rum with the declaration: I'm shot
by Clara Hamon." A subsequent
statement Of lannon's to the effect
that he was shot while lying in bed
also was quoted by DR.. Hardy.
While DR.. Hardy was on the stand
the state offered in evidence the
blood-stained endorsements of Ha-
mon. which previously it had been
said were burned to prevent his wife's
seeing them.
DR.. Hardy testified that Mr.. Hamon
staggered toward him, pale of face,
and kissed him on the forehead. In
reply to the doctors question, he said:
Il told you she would do it. I'm go
ing to die 1 am weak. and want to
go to bed"
AS Attorney General Freezing dis
played the underclothing Hamon had
worn and gown he was placed in at
the hospital. both Mrs. Jake Hamon
and Clara wept into their handker-
chiefs.
He said Clara Hamon came to the
hospital the next morning and was
permitted to see Hamon alone. the
nurse being withdrawn.
Clara Hamon Accused.
"She did not stay more than two
minutes. maybe three" DR.. Hardy
said. After Clara left, DR.. Hardy
said he went in and Hamon said he
was going to die.
work. ] was lying in the same posi-.
tion as I am now" he quoted Hamon
as saying. Hamon then was lying on
his back on the hospital cot.
On Thursday after Hamon was shot
on Sunday. all indications pointed to
change. His condition gradually
grew worse. with heart. stomach and
kidney functions failing until he died
the next morning. at O'Clock. he said.
"A gunshot wound in the liver"
replied DR.. Hardy to a question as
to what caused lannon's death.
Purchase Of Pistol.
w. H. Meyers of Oklahoma City, a
hardware salesman, said in Novem-
Der, 1920. he sold a .25-caliber auto
matte pistol to "Clara B. Smith" the
date being near November 9. He at
the same time sold the pistol pur-
chaser magazine full of cartridges
The defense admitted Clara Hamon
had been the purchaser.