Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-02-26
HYMN WRITER A BIGAMIsT.


Rev. Edward Dunbar, who wrote the
old Sunday school hymn, There's
Light in the Window for Thee,
Brother" sleeps in a pauper's grave at
Coffeyville, Kan, where he died q
tramp in the town Jail ten years ago.
His name became a byword in the
places where he was known, and leav-
ing prison he. became vagabond. In
1867 Dunbar was arrested at Leaven-
worth, Kan, while engaged in holding
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. o..
One night in the spring of 1890 Dun
bar applied at the Coffeyville jail for
lodging. He was i'll, and the author
tiles 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-
Pile lately erected a 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 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 a light in the window to
guide his footsteps homeward. The
boy became reckless and took q no
ton to go to sea, 20 of he went for a
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 viii set q
light in the window Of Heaven for him."
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 a preach
sr. In the course of his reformation
be wrote: there's Light In the Win
low for Thee, Brother"
/ Rev. Edward Dunbar married in New
i Bedford and had five children. He soon
iwon a reputation as a pulpit orator,
and there was great surprise when it
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, Mimi.
A great revival followed, and hun
dreds were converted. Miss Euniee 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 al an engagement
at Leavenworth. 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 Il. Young, who were law part
mrs. In Minneapolis. They soon found
evidence sufheisnt to warrant an ar
resi- and Dunbar's ministerial career
Was brought 70 a sudden close.
After Dunbar'B Incarceration IN ths
penltsntiaEy Judge Young secured 9
divorce for Mra Dunbar and married
her himself ThsynOv livein hin1eap-
ola W.. - .....-...