The Washington times., 1919-02-16
CHOIR HEAD GONE;
CHOIR SINGER, TOO

NEW YORK, Feb. 16.-The sudden
disappearance OF two persons promi-
rent IN the musical life Of Paterson
Is causing much concern there.
william NJ. Kreamer, forty, leader
OF the First Baptist Church choir. Y.
N. c. A. song leader at Pelham Bay,
and a big figure in the musical pro-
grams Of the Paterson Billy Sunday
campaign, left home Saturday, Feb
Fuary i.
Kreamer told his wife that he was
going into New York city to turn in
his Y M c. A. uniform. This he did.
That afternoon she received a tele-
gram, sent from the Grand Cen
traI station, saying ne would not be
home tonight" She has not heard
from him since. About the same time
Kreamer's own family received a let
ter announcing he was going away.
but would communicate with the fam
lily from time to time. The Kreamers
have not heard from him since.
Miss Barbara Bourhill, twenty
four, pupil Of Kreamer and at one
time OF his wife, winner Of the Pater-
son music festival contest in 1916,
once soloist in the choir Of the First
day. February 1. Her family sup
posed she was going to New York
for the day They have not heard
from her since.
Has She Sought Stage wOrkg
Neither disappearance has been re-
ported to the police The BourhiIls
tried to ind their daughter among
friends in this city and, failing, are
waiting, hoping for word from her.
One suggested explanation of her de-
parture is that she wanted to try her
voice on the vaudeville stage and met
opposition from her parents, who
wanted her to become an evangelical
singer.
George w. Casson, father of Mrs.
Kreanler, said yesterday at his daugh-
ter's home, in Paterson, that he had
loved Kreamer as his own son, but
that after Kreamer's sudden depar-
tuFe he and his daughter wanted
nothing more Of him"
Kreamer was for years foreman Of
the composing room OF the Paterson
PFess-Guardian. He left that place to
become instructor Of printing at pub
lie school No. 10 in Paterson. His
work as a musician is Of long stand
ing, He organized the First Baptist
Band, was at one time director of the
Orpheus Club, and gained distinction
for his work as choir leader Of the
First Baptist Church at Van Hounten
and Washington streets. His brother
Il Albert H. Kreamer. secretary to
Mayor and Representatiye-elect Amos
RadelinA
Before his departure from Paterson
Kreamer resigned both his teacher
ship and his place as choir leader,
giving no reason in either case. His
wife says she was not told OF this
step.
Wife Taught Girl to Play.
1--WE have been married seventeen
years, and had always been happy to-
gether," Mrs. Kreamer said yestsr-
day. 81 worked with Mr.. Kreamer in
his musical plans. Why the night be-
fore he left we attended a choir re-
hearsal together. One OF the things
that pleased him most was the de-
velopment Of a Paterson musical fes-
tivaI soloist. For several months
after he began to train Miss Bour-
hills voice 1 taught her the piano.
She had been a worker in a silk mill,
and we found that her piano lessons
would have to wait until we had car
ried further her general education
For about a year my sister has
been very i'll and l have spent most
OF my evenings with her. Mr.. kreaDl-
er was busy with his music. Then
he volunteered for Y. NJ c. A. work.
He went to Pelham Bay in August,
but he was at a song leaders con-
ference in New York when the IN
fluenZa quarantine was instituted
there So he began industrial work
for the organization and Travelled all
over the country. ! understood when
he came home that Friday that he
would take up his school work with
the new term. I would not believe
that he had gone away until day after
day passed without my hearing from
him"
Barbara often went TO New York
on Saturdays" Mrs. Bourhill said yes
terdGy when she left early on
February 1 she didn't tell any of the
family where she was going, but we,
OF course, thought IL was New York,
and expected her back. We are heart
broken and we want her to come
home to us"