Jake Louis Hamon Sr. | |
|---|---|
| Born | Jake Louis Hamon June 5, 1873 Grenola, Kansas, U.S. |
| Died | November 26, 1920 Lawton, Oklahoma, U.S. |
| Cause of death | gunshot wound |
| Alma mater | University of Kansas |
| Occupation | Oilman |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Georgia Perkins |
| Children | 1 son, 1 daughter |
Jake Louis Hamon Sr. (1873-1920) was an attorney, an oil millionaire, railway owner, Oklahoma Committee Chairman, and Republican National Committeeman. His murder, and subsequent trial of his mistress, was national news in 1920.
His mistress, Clara Smith, was found innocent of murder charges.[1]
Education
editHamon graduated from the University of Kansas with a law degree in 1898.
Career
editHamon moved to Lawton in 1901. He became city attorney. He was elected mayor.[2]
He became chairman of the Oklahoma Territory Committee.[2] In 1909, he was a lobbyist in Washington, D. C..
In 1910, he was accused of trying to bribe U.S. Senator Thomas Gore.[2] The charge was never proven.
He moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma and, with John Ringling, built a railway from Ardmore to Ringling, Oklahoma.[2]
In 1920, he was elected a Republican National Committeeman for Oklahoma. He helped broker the selection of Warren G. Harding for candidate for US President. As a result, he was believed to be inline for selection for a cabinet post.[3]
Death
editHe was killed by Clara Smith Hamon, his mistress and the wife of his nephew. She pleaded self-defense. After a trial which lasted seven days, the jury reported back in 39 minutes with a finding of not guilty.[4]
Personal life
editHe married Georgia Perkins in 1898. They had two children, Jake L. Hamon Jr. and Olivebelle Hamon.[2]
Notes
edit- ^ "SAYS JAKE HAMON TOLD WOMAN TO FLEE; Clara Smith's Attorneys Assert She First Heard of Death at El Paso". New York Times. December 25, 1920. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
{{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter:|1=(help) - ^ a b c d e Stephanie Shafer. "HAMON, JACOB LOUIS (1873–1920)". Oklahoma Historical Society. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
- ^ "nDepth: A Deadly Affair". newsok.com. 8 December 2013. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ^ "The Jake Hamon Story". www.oklahomahistory.net. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
External references
edit- State to help try Clara Smith Hamon
- Will charge woman with Hamon murder, prosecutor says
- Girl denies intent to kill Jake Hamon. Clara Smith Hamon testifies
- Clara Hamon freed by murder. Jury acquitted on first ballot