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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.

Education
Hamon graduated from the University of Kansas with a law degree in 1898.

Career
Hamon moved to Lawton in 1901. He became city attorney. He was elected mayor.

He became chairman of the Oklahoma Territory Committee. In 1909, he was a lobbyist in Washington, D. C..

In 1910, he was accused of trying to bribe U.S. Senator Thomas Gore. The charge was never proven.

He moved to Ardmore, Oklahoma and, with John Ringling, built a railway from Ardmore to Ringling, Oklahoma.

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.

Death
He 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.

Personal life
He married Georgia Perkins in 1898. They had two children, Jake L. Hamon Jr. and Olivebelle Hamon.

External references

 * 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