The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1896-12-24
A MlDDLEBURGHER CHALLENGED
TO FIGHT A DUEL.
Hon. George Kremcr Challenged by
Henry clay DO Mortal Combat,

hcnry SIay 10 Mortal Combat.
On Friday of Teachers Institute
in Middleburgh DIR. Baer made nj.
lusion to Hon. George Kremer who
lived at one time near NIddleburgh
and who was challenged bv Henry
Clay to fight a duel. III onest
George, as he was called, was born
at Middletown, Dauphin county,
Nov II, l775 and died on his farm
near Middleburgh, Sept. 10, 1851. at
the age of ~ years. He served two
terms IN Congress from 1923 to 1927
representing Union Oncluding Sny-
der) aud Northumberland counties.
MIR. kremer, in his second term in
Congress, became involved in dis.
pute which brought him into public
notice. These events took place
about 1926, or when Henry Clay was
appointed Secretary of State by
President John Quincy Adams, aud
are known as the bargain and sale"
excitement. Mr.. Kremer was firm
ly convinced that Mr.. Clay threw his
influence against General Jackson
by which the electoral vote of Ken
tucky was given To Mr.. Adams for a
consideration, aud when the first
place in the Cabinet was rendered to
aud accepted by the Kentucky
Statesman honest George opened
his mouth and poured forth the hot.
shot that set the entire country
agog on the all-important accusa.
ton. John Randolph of Roanoke
dllated upon the accusation against
Clav to such au extent that the new
Secretary of State was compelled to
challenge him to mortal combat. AZ
ter kremer had exposed it in the
papers, Clay replied as follows
II pronounce the author Of the
charge base and Infamous calumni.
ator, bastard and liar aud if he
dare unveil himself and ayow his
name | will hold him responsible for
the laws that govern men of honor"
This challenge was accepted by
Kremer who published his name
with an acceptance to fight duel.
Kremer searched the hardware
stores OF Washington to secure the
best Ere arms in the land aud it was
soon noised abroad that honest
George was one of the best marks
men about the National Capital.
The news was enough for the re-
nowned Kentucky orator. He never
appeared against the plucky states
men of "Pennsylvania Dutch" fame.
George Krcmer occupied cou-
spicious position in the early days
of Union (thcn including Snydcr)
county, aud lived for many years al
Lewisburg. For while young
Kreamor clerked for his uncle, Gen
eral Shuster, who came from Ger
many where he had been in Military
Service, In 1872 our young hero
went to Selinsgrove, where he was
in the employ of his uncle, Simon
afterwards Governor, who
then carried on grist- mill, store,
farm and warehouse. In 1906 he re-
moved to Lewlsburg, then called
Derrstown aud started store in
lSOS, which he continued until 1927.
He was elected to the Legislature in
1872 aud 1913 and in 1916 he was de
feated for congress, but was elected.
as before stated, 1922 and re elected
in 1924.
Upon his retirement from congress
ic huIClluStu tDbul OD' UcIcS Oh luuu
in Franklin Township, Snyder (theu
Union) county, near this place and
moved his family from Lowlsburg to
the farm April ., 1927, where ho lived
until the day of his death.
Mrs. Thomas Bower of Swineford
is daughter of the distinguished
George Kremer and now lives on
the kremer homestead. George
Kremer was married in 1911 to Cath
crime Evans, only daughter of Col.
Evans and wife. Mr..
Evans lived with Mr.. Kremar until
Evans died in 1874. He and his wife
and Hon. George Kremer were bur
led in the old cemetery lot on the
Kremer homestead. These bodies
were dug up in 1894 by Harry Specht |
md re-buried in the Middleburgh |
where they are now resting. |
We recall this bit of history at this
line because there are many of the |
younger generation who have never
heard Of Hon. Geo. Kremer, gentle
nan OF national reputation in his
lay and we propose TO do our duty |
oward preserving historical data of |
'ur own county-a duty that has |
)een too much neglected by the |
people OF Snyder county.
Vt