The Daily Ardmoreite

Clara Smith Hamon Deserving of Kind and Helpful Consideration
(By B. K.)

Is it fair to slander and speak ill of a person who has been justly acquitted of a deed she performed months ago? Is it fair to condemn in most harsh terms and in an uncalled for manner a person who has shown in every manner possible that she has repented for her past, and has proved it thus far, by her clean and unselfish mode of living since the date on which all relations with an immoral world were severed?

Now that the trial is a matter of the past, and a verdict has been rendered which has met with the approval of the majority of those familiar with the details of the affair, it is time to let the matter sink into oblivion. Clara Smith Hamon has expressed her desire to do this. She has commenced in the wisest manner possible. life anew. She has been baptised into the church, and her action in this respect is a matter of holiness, and any criticism other than commendable, regarding her entry into Christianity. is sacriligious. For this. the first step advocated by the laws of God in the Christian religion. for the cleansing of the soul, is most sacred.

Continued slanderous remarks made against Clara Smith Hamon and accusations that she was wholly to blame for the misconduct of the deceased oil magnate, may eventually lead. not to any further degradation of the soul of the repentant woman, but to disclosures of startling facts concerning many who now refuse to let the matter rest.

The verdict of 'not guilty' which was returned by the Jury in the case of the state of Oklahoma vs Clara Smith Hamon Thursday was the popular sentiment of the people not only of Oklahoma but throughout the entire United States, and wherever the facts of the case had been made known.

From the legal phase of the case, the verdict implies that the girl fired the shot in self-defense at the time of the actual killing. at a time when her life was endangered. But it was not this fact alone which brought the approval of the verdict by the citizens of the world-it was the abolishment of that theory which has appeared to hold such popular sway among the minds of many in the past-that the woman must always pay. Clara Hamon Smith had paid before she was ever brought to trial. She undertook a life which very few could resist, after a man of practically superhuman power and endowed with a master mind had moulded dreams of a future full of brilliance and happiness, culminating in married life.

Her acquittal was expected It was demanded by public opinion. She had suffered perhaps with a suffering which is next in degree of horror than lingering death itself.

Public sentiment desires that Clara Smith Hamon be given the opportunity to exercise without any dominating and repressive bonds that wonderful intellect which she proved she possessed at various times, and which friends of Jake L Hamon state was instrumental in securing for him that enviable political and commercial position which he enjoyed.
"I FEEL THAT I HAVE BEEN BORN AGAIN AND IT IS MY PURPOSE TO LIVE A CHRISTIAN LIFE"

Clara Smith Hamon at the morning service at the First Christian church yesterday made a confession and took membership in that body While the church edifice was filled. yet there was an absence of curiosity seekers; the event was not known before. Had it been known the church would doubtless have been filled and the streets about it would have been crowded with people who permit themselves to be swayed by curiosity.

When the invitation was given for new members. by the pastor. Dr. Crayton S. Brooks, and while the first stanza of the hymn was being sung, the little woman passed quietly down the aisle. extended her hand to the pastor and quietly sat until the hymn was finished. The brief formalities of the church were gone through with and an opportunity was given the people to extend the hand of welcome and church fellowship and it seemed that every person in the house gladly availed themselves of the opportunity.

The vast congregation was moved to emotion, and tears streamed from every face, as the church people quietly and without ostentation moved down the aisles singing and shaking the hand of the woman who was given a verdict of acquittal on the Thursday before on the charge of having shot and killed Jake L. Hamon.

There was a spirit of sincere welcome which I had never felt before," said the little woman in speaking of the event. "There was a Christian love there that I had not known before. The people of that church were good to me when I most needed help, they were perfectly lovely to me yesterday and I feel a reincarnation. I feel that I have been born again and with deep sincerity it is my steadfast purpose to live the life of a Christian."

Mrs. Hamon's mother, Mrs. Smith, now of El Paso, Texas. and her sister. Mrs. V. D. Walling. of Wilson. have been members of this church for many years and are devoted Christians, and her other sister. Mrs. Van A. James of Los Angeles. who was here with her during the ordeal of the criminal trial. made the confession yesterday when Clara did, and both of them were baptized last night and are now in full fellowship in the church of which their mother is a member.