From the "Lesterville Ledger" Nov 9, 1917 (provided by Rochelle Kremer,1104 Lawnridge Ave., Springfield OR 97477):
N. P. KREMER LOST HIS LIFE IN AUTO ACCIDENT
Found Dead on Roadside Two
Hours After Accident
Happened.
At about 4:15 o'clock Friday afternoon, Nov. 2nd, telephone intelligence came to the central office in Janda & Son's store that N. P. Kremer was found under his new Ford car on the north side of theMilwaukee Railway crossing near the Gus Schumaker home. Dr. F. A. Moore to whom the message was sent hurried immediately to the scene. About 10 minutes later another phone message came saying that Mr. Kremer was dead. This news spread over town like wildfire and many hastened to the scene. The news of Mr. Kremer's untimely death nearly overcome the population and many could scarcely believe it was true.
The writer was one of the first to learn of the sad occurance and in company with several others went out to the place and the following is as near a correct statement of facts as it is possible to arrive at. Mr. Kremer left for town at about 2 o'clock that afternoon with his new Ford car. It was the baby's third birthday anniversary and Mr. Kremer was to bring back the baby's grandma, Mrs. C. Swanson, and some goods that Mrs. Kremer had ordered over the phone at Janda's store. The road leading from the house to the main road to the east comes out just at the railroad crossing and Mr. Kremer had to make a short turn from the gate onto the main road. In making this short turn it appears that he, being an inexperienced driver, was not able to get the car straight on the road soon enough to save himself and car from going over the embankment on the north side of the railroad track. At this place the accident occurred.
Just after 4 o'clock Neva, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gus Schumaker, upon returning from school, which is only a short distance away from the spot where the accident happened, noticed the new car turned over in the ditch along side the road and she hurried home and asked her mother if any of the Kremer folks had been injured as their car was upset. Mrs. Schumaker and the little girl hurried back to where the car was and after an inspection found that Mr. Kremer lay beneath it.This was the first that was known of the accident. Mrs. Schumaker sent the little girl after Mr. Schumaker who was husking corn in a field about a half-mile away and she went back to the house and called up Lesterville on the phone as related above.
Upon arriving at the scene Dr. Moore and others turned the car up and found that Mr. Kremer was dead; that his back had been broken and that death was instantaneous, and that life had been extent for at least two hours, as he laid face down and there was not the slightest evidenceof a struggle. Dr. Moore went to the Schumaker home and called up the county coroner and related what happened to him. Dr. Moore made a very close inspection of the scene and there was no trace or sign of a collision, and no witness could be found who had seen the accident occur; so Coroner F. C. Smith decided that the death of Mr. Kremer was purely accidental and that no inquest would be necessary, and permission was given Dr. Moore to remove the body. After receiving this information the corpse was removed from the scene of the accident and taken back to the house. It was indeed a sad affair when the news had to be broken to Mrs. Kremer who was without knowledge of what had happened up until a short time before her dead husband was brought back to her.
OBITUARY
Nicholas P. Kremer was born on a farm near Lesterville January 28,1875, and was in his 42nd year and just in the prime of life. When a young man he started out in life for himself and entered the grain business. One of his first experiences was at Springfield this state. After a season he came back to Lesterville and in partnership with J. J. Wagner he was engaged in the saloon business, but he did not remain long in this business. Then he entered the Lesterville State Bank where he learned the banking business. After the Utica State Bank was opened up Mr. Kremer was sent there to take charge of that bank as cashier. During his stay in Utica he proved himself and (sic) efficient and trustworthy business man and made many friends for the institution he represented and himself. In March 1905 he resigned his position with the Utica State Bank and in connection with the writer purchased The Lesterville Ledger. He remained a one-half owner of The Ledger until November 1907, when he sold his interest to the present owner. At this time he was local agent for the McCaull-Webster Elevator Company which position he retained until he (something missing here?) was endowed with a trait of character which made for him friends of every person of his acquaintanceship. He was kind to all. He never did an unkind act or deed to a fellow man, and carried the best respect and highest esteem of the whole community in which he lived his whole life. He was an excellent husband and a kind and true father, and his loss to his family, especially, as he had just reached the prime of life is indeed great, too great for words to adequately express, and his loss is no less to the community and his legion of friends throughout the county and state, as Mr. Kremer was a widely known and popular man.
The funeral was held Monday at 10 o'clock a.m. from the home. Funeral services at the home were conducted by Rev. Stevens of Yankton, and the services at the cemetery were conducted by the Elks. Interment was made in the Yankton cemetery. The vast multitude who attended the last sad rites and the profusion of floral offerings attested to the popularity and high esteem in which the deceased was held. The pallbearers were: Dr. F. A. Moore, Joseph Lukes, N. M. Karolewicz, Edward Freidel, J. J. Wagner and F. A. Killion.
The Ledger in connection with the whole community extend heartfelt sympathy and condolence, to the widowed wife, fatherless children and bereaved brothers and sisters in their hour of deep sorrow.From the "Lesterville Ledger" Sep 22, 1916 (provided by Rochelle Kremer,1104 Lawnridge Ave., Springfield OR 97477): "N. P. Kremer sold two more of those fine bull calves the past week at a fancy price. Nick raises nothing but the best."
3. Emma Swanson
Letter from Emma (Swanson) Kremer to Mr. and Mrs. Robert Pike, Box 43,Lesterville, SD 57040-0043 (original in Mrs. Pike's possession as ofOctober 1992):
Sioux Falls S.D.
Dec 17 - 62
Dear Thelma and Bob:
I just finished my washing and will now try and finish up my cards.I tried to do that yesterday but did not quite finish. I spent theafternoon writing and licking envelopes and stamps. I tried to mail a feweach morning last week but did not quite make it.
Last Thurs. our circle served the Xmas Tea. We made fancy sandwichesand all kinds of cookies. We had quite a display. I baked cookies by thedozens. Each one was supposed to furnish about seven doz. Well I am sureI took down 10 or 12 doz. They were small and a doz looked so little in abox I threw in a few handfuls more. I made four different kinds. In factI made one batch I divided
into three parts and I colored each one green and left one white so thatlooked like three different kinds. I made the coffee and of course got inon the dish washing. Some of them just vanished when it was time to cleanup.
Sat we served coffee and cake to a funeral party. We are a committeeof three when a person
does not belong to the fellowship or a circle. We serve at the church ortheir home which ever they prefer. We prepare the food and the fellowshippay what the food cost - the work we donate.
Going back to the tea. Charlotte and another lady made thesandwiches. The crowd was not so big so we had cookies to fill 36 boxesfor shutins, if they are all really that. One lady said she saw one ofthe shut-ins down town shopping.
My mother came to America July 12-1876. She came from Malmo Sweden.My dad came from Jonkoping Sweden. I dont know exactly when he came. Hewas sheriff in Yankton. I have the revolver he used but it is not inworking order now. My mother gave it to Gust and once when I was out toyour house we went over to see Gust and he insisted on me taking it forone of my boys, but neither one was interested in guns so I still haveit. My mother worked in Yankton and I imagine that is when she met mydad. They were married Oct 20-1879 just six days before my mother'sbirthday.
Mrs. Case was born on my mothers wedding day. My mother was born Oct26-51 so she was just lacking six days of being 28. Your dad was quite abit younger if I remember right he was next to the youngest. He wasnineteen when he came. A. J. Anderson was in Sweden and my mother cameback with him. There were 2 girls and three boys in her family. Emma,Carl, Gust, and Frederick. (Axel was a
brother) written in here in Thelma Pike's hand] I am not sure if your dadcame before my dad died sort of seems he came after my dad died. Mymother and dad were married only 9 yrs. It is almost like myself. Nickand I were married a little over eleven yrs. I can remember some of thethings that happened during
my dads illness. We girls used to go out walking with him. He passed awayon a Sun. morning and Helen Lillies dad was there I imagine they sent forhim. If you have any more questions I would be glad to try and answerthem.
I am Mailing a card for Janet[??] if she does not get home will youmail it to her.
Love to you and yours
Emma
[and again in Thelma Pike's handwriting] In a later letter Emma wrote sheknew there was a brother Axel.Emma was a seamstress.
Hildred (Ross) Kremer says (Dec 31, 1993) that Emma's uncle Fred(Rosvall) foreclosed on the farm after her husband's death.