Jake L. Hamon Sr.

Jacob Louis Hamon Sr.
Born	Grenola, Kansas, U.S.
Died	November 26, 1920(1920-11-26) (aged 47)
Occupation(s)	Lawyer, oil industry magnate, railroad proprietor, political leader
Known for	Chairman of Oklahoma Republican National Committee; influence in 1920 Republican presidential nomination

Jacob Louis Hamon Sr. (June 5, 1873 – November 26, 1920) was a prominent American lawyer, oil industry magnate, railroad proprietor, and political leader. He held the position of Chairman for the Oklahoma Republican National Committee and subsequently served as the state chairman of the Republican National Committee following Oklahoma's admission as a state. By 1920, Hamon had accumulated considerable fortune and wielded substantial influence within Republican circles, reportedly delivering enough electoral support to secure Warren G. Harding's nomination as the Republican presidential candidate.

There was widespread speculation that Harding intended to appoint Hamon to a significant role within his administration. Hamon's assassination and the high-profile trial of his mistress, Clara Smith—who acted as both his private secretary and business representative—drew national media attention in 1920. Clara Smith was ultimately found not guilty of the murder charges.

Personal life

Born in Grenola, Kansas, Hamon earned his law degree from the University of Kansas in 1898. That same year, he wed Georgia Perkins in Sedan, Kansas. The couple had two children: Jake L. Hamon Jr. (born 1901 or 1902) and Olivebelle Hamon (born 1909).

Career

In 1901, Hamon relocated to Lawton, Oklahoma Territory, where he initially served as city attorney before becoming mayor. However, he was voted out in 1903 amid allegations of corruption and accusations of extorting money from local gambling operations.

By 1909, Hamon chaired the Oklahoma Territory Republican National Committee and operated as a lobbyist in Washington, D.C. In 1910, he faced allegations of attempting to bribe U.S. Senator Thomas Gore to endorse land contracts involving the Chickasaw and Choctaw Nations. Gore claimed these contracts were valued at $30 million and that Hamon sought a 10% commission. It was alleged that Hamon offered Gore $25,000 for his support; nevertheless, Gore opposed the transaction. A congressional inquiry concluded with both Hamon and attorney J. M. McMurray denying any bribery under oath.

Hamon moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma in 1912 and formed a partnership with circus proprietor John Ringling to construct a railway connecting Ardmore to Ringling, Oklahoma. He also invested heavily in oil leases within the Healdton oil field, which significantly increased his wealth.

By 1920, Hamon had been elected as the Republican National Committeeman for Oklahoma, overcoming notable competitors. He played an essential role in securing Warren G. Harding's presidential nomination and was regarded as a strong contender for a cabinet appointment.

Clara Smith Hamon

According to Robinson's article, Jake Hamon met Clara Belle Smith in Lawton around 1913 when he was 40 years old and she was 16, initiating a relationship. Clara was an ambitious social climber whom Hamon supported by financing her attendance at business and finishing schools to prepare her for elite social circles.

Exhibiting calculated determination, Hamon orchestrated for his nephew Frank Hamon to marry Clara with an offer of $10,000 so that Frank would then relocate to California, effectively leaving Clara behind. When Jake’s wife Georgia discovered both the affair and abandonment scheme, she confronted them but declined to divorce; instead, she moved with their two children to Chicago.

Jake and Clara maintained their relationship openly in Ardmore, residing in adjacent luxury suites at the Randol Hotel. In 1919, Jake campaigned for the position of Republican National Committeeman while continuing this arrangement.

1920 Presidential Election

The 1920 campaign became increasingly hostile, with critics attacking Hamon's integrity and even disputing his residency status. One media outlet accused him of being a womanizer. Facing the threat of defeat, Hamon summoned Georgia back to join his campaign, projecting a united family front that galvanized party members and ultimately secured his win, enhancing his political standing.

Several months before the election, Hamon met Warren G. Harding and discovered that Florence Harding was a second cousin of his estranged wife, Georgia, which put an end to any divorce considerations. By June 1920, Hamon had persuaded Harding’s campaign manager, Harry M. Daugherty, that he could provide essential votes and financial support for Harding's nomination in return for advantageous arrangements. After Harding’s presidential victory, speculation arose that Hamon had been offered the position of Secretary of the Interior but chose to decline.

Years later, associate Bob Hutchins disclosed that Harding had instructed Hamon to bring his "legitimate family" to Washington and leave his secretary behind, a directive that likely influenced Hamon's choices.

Death

On November 21, 1920, one of President Harding’s confidants visited Hamon in Ardmore to discuss his prospective role within the administration. During a private dinner at the Randol Hotel, an intoxicated Clara unexpectedly appeared and engaged in a heated argument with Hamon before he sent her away. Hutchins then escorted her to her room while cautioning Hamon not to follow due to her emotional state.

Later that night, Hamon was found collapsed in the dining area after sustaining a gunshot wound. A local surgeon aided in transferring him to Ardmore Sanitarium. Hamon maintained that the injury occurred accidentally while handling his pistol; however, the bullet remained lodged near his spine and was deemed impossible to remove surgically. Before losing consciousness, he instructed Hutchins to take Clara first to El Paso and then across the border into Mexico but ensured she would return for trial.

Hamon survived for five days before passing away on November 26, 1920, with Georgia present at his side.

Aftermath

Jake Hamon was fatally shot by Clara Smith Hamon, his mistress who was also married to his nephew. She claimed self-defense and was acquitted after a seven-day trial; the jury reached their decision in just 39 minutes.

Following the trial, Clara largely withdrew from public life and later pursued an acting career. In 2017, the Bolivar Herald Free Press revisited her story, citing a 1921 headline about a silent film starring Clara that was banned from screening in Springfield; however, the film’s title was not disclosed.