The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-10-22
HYMN WRITER A BIGAMIsT.
Prencher, Author Of "There's a Light
In the window for Thee" Be-
came Tramp.


Rev. Edward Dunbar. who wrote the
old Sunday school hymn, There's a
Light In the Window for Thee,
Brother" sleeps In pauper's grave at
Coffeyyille Kan, where he died
tramp in the town jail ten years ago.
His name became byword In the
places where he was known, and leav-
ing prison he became a vagabond. In
1867 Dunbar was arrested at Lcayen-
worth, Kan, while engaged in holding
n series of revival meetings, and taken
to Minneapolis, Mimi, where he was
tried for bigamy, convicted and sent
to the penitentiary for three years and
eight months, says the Chicago Trib'
une.
One night In the spring OF 1890 Dun
bar applied at the Coffeyville jail for
lodging He was III, and the author
titles took him in. He died the next day.
Papers in his pockets revealed his iden-
tity, and showed that he had tramped
all over the country. Some church peo-
pie lately erected marble slab over
his grave, on which the words are in
scribed: Here Lies Edward Dunbar,
Who Wrote There's Light in the Win
dow for Thee, Brother"
When Dunbar was small boy he
lived in New Bedford, Mass, and
worked In factory. His mother lived
at the foot Of the street on which the
factory was located, and as the lads
work kept him away till after dark, she
always placed light In the window to
guide his footsteps homeward. The
boy became reckless and took mo-
tion to 60 to sea, so off he went for
three years cruise. During his absence
his mother fell Ill and was at deaths
door. She talked necessarily about her
boy, and every night asked those
around her to place light In the win
dow in anticipation of his return. When
she realized that the end had come she
said: Tell Edward that ! will set a
light in the window Of Heaven FOR him.r
These were her last words.
The lad had grown to manhood before
he returned home, and his mothers
message had such an effect upon him
that he reformed and became preach
er. In the course Of his reformation
he wrote; There's Light in the Win
dow for Thee, Brother"
Rev. Edward Dunbar married In New
Bedford and had five children He soon
won a reputation as pulpit orator,
and there was great surprise when 1t
was found one Sunday morning that
he had left the city, leaving his wife and
family behind. He came to Kansas,
and after preaching in different parts
of the state went to Minneapolis. MINI.
A great revival followed and hun
dreds were converted. Miss Eunice Belle
Lewis, a handsome young heiress of
Minneapolis, was one of his converts
She fell In love with the evangelist and
married him against the wishes Of her
friends
Shortly after the wedding Dunbar re-
turned to Kansas to fill an engagement
at Leayenworth. While he was away
suspicious friends of the bride consult
ed w. D. Webb, lately judge of the Sec
ond judicial district of Kansas, and
Austin II. Young, who were law part
ners in Minneapolis. They soon found
evidence sufficient to warrant an ar
rest, and Dunbar's ministerial career
was brought to sudden close.
After Dunbar's incarceration in the
penitentiary Judge Young secured
divorce for Mrs. Dunbar and married
her himself. They now livein Minneap-
oils.