Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1900-10-18
Hymn WRITER A BTcAM1sr.
Preacher, Author of "There's n Light
in the window for Thee" Be-
came a 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 nj
Cofeyville, Kan, where he died A
tramp In the town jail ten years ago.
His name became byword IN the
| PAGES whore he was known, and lesv-
ing prison he became a vaRabond. In
1877 Dunbar was arrested at Ieaven.
worth, Kan, while engaged In holding
q series OF revival meetings. and taken
TO Minneapolis, Mimi. where he was
tried for bigamy, convicted and sent
TO the Pc atentiary for three years and
eight months, says the Chicago Trib.
une.
One night In the spring u 1900 Dun
bar applied az the Coffeyville fail for
lodging. He was ill, and the author
ities took him in. He died the next day.
Papers In his pockets revealed his iden-
tity, and showed that he had trnmped
oil over the country. Some church peo-
pie lately erected n marble slab over
his grave, on which the words are IN.
scribed; Here Lies Edward Dunbar.
Who Wrote There's a Light in the Win.
dow for Thee, Brother"
when Dunbar waS a 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 MIN away till after dark. she
always placed light in the window 10
guide bis footsteps homeward. The
boy became reckless and took a no.
uon 10 go TO sea, 10 of he went for a
three years cruise. During his absence
HIS mother fell III and was at deaths
door. She talked necessarily about her
boy, and every night asked those
around her 10 place a light In the win.
DO" 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 -
Thee were her last words.
The lad had grown 10 manhood before
he returned home, and his mothers
message had such an effect upon him
that he reformed and became preach
~. In the course Of his reformation
he wrotei There's Light In the Win
dow for Thee, Brother"
Rev. Edward Dunbar married In New
Bedford and had Ave children. lie soon
won a reputation as a pulpit orator,
and there was great surprise when Il
ives 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 20 Minneapolis, Minn.
A greet revival followed, and hun.
drecs 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 10 Kansas 10 flH an engagement
at Leayenworth. While he was away
suspicious friends OF the bride consult
ed w. ID. 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 20 warrant an ar
rest, and Dunbar's ministerial career
was brought 20 q sudden close.
After Dunbar's incarceration IN the
Penitentiary Judge Young secured a
divorce for Mrs. Dunbar and married
her himself They now live In Minneap,
oils.