The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1900-09-27
HYMN WRITER A BICAMlST.
Preacher, Author of There's
a Light in the Window for
Thee" Became a
Tray7,n
TRAMP.

The Rev Edward Dunbar, who wrote
the old Sunday-scbsol hymn, "There' SEA
Light in the Window for Thee, Brother
sleeps IN pauper's grave at Cofieevilie,
Kan, where he died a tramp in the tow
Jail, ten years ago. His name became
! byword in the places where he was known
and leaving prison he became avsgabond'
In 1861 Dunbar was arrested in Leaven-
worth. Kan, while engaged in holding a
Series of revival meetings, and taken to
Minneapolis, Mimi, where he was trIeo
for bigamy, convicted, and sentenced TO
the pententiary for three years and eight
months.
One night in the spring Of 1890 Dunbar
applied at the Cofieevlle jail for lodging
He was i'll, and the authorities took him
in. lie died thVnext day. Papers in his
pockets revealed his identity, and showed
that he had trampcd all over the country.
Some church people lately have erected a
marble slab over his grave, on which these
words are inscribed: Here lies Edward
Dunbar, Who Wrote There's Light in
the Window for Thee, Brother"
When Dunbar was small boy he lived
in New Bedford, Mass, and worked in a
factory. His mother lived at the loot OF
the street on which the factory was locat-
ed, and, as the lads work kept him away
till after dark, she always placed light
in the window to guide his footsteps home
ward The boy became restless, and took
a notion TO 90 TO sea, so off he went Tor
three years cruise. During his absence
his mother fell i'll and was at death 8 door.
She talked necessarily about her boy, and
every night asked those around her to
place a light in the window in antlcIpa-
ton of his return. When she realized
that the end had come, she said "Tell
Edward that will set n light in the win
dow of heaven for him" These were her
last words.
The lad had grown TO manhood before
he returned homo, and his mothers mes
sage had such an effect upon him that he
reformed and became preacher. In the
course Of his reformation he wrote,
There's Light in the Window for Thee,
Brother"
The Rev. Edward Dunbar married in
New Bedford, and had five children. He
soon won n 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. lie came to Kansas, and, after
preaching in different parts of the State,
went to Minneapolis, MINI.
A great revival followed, and hundreds
were converted. Miss Eunice Belle Lewis,
a handsome young heiress of Minneapolis,
was one of the 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
While he was away, sus-
picous friends of the bride consulted W.
d. Webb, lately Judge Of the Second Jud-
icial district of Kansas, and Austin II.
Young, who were law partners in Mime
apols. They soon found evidence suf
ficient to warrant an arrest, and Dunbar's
ministerial career was brought to sudden
close.
After Dunbars incarceration in the
Judge Young secured a
divorce for Mrs. Dunbar, and married her
himself They now live in Minneapolis
Louisville Post.