The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-10-15
A BLAcKsM1rIa EvANcELrsr.
Remarkable Career OF q tennessee
Minister. Is.r

Rev. Tom Sexton, the blacksmith
preacher who Is known to thousands of
people throughout East Tennessee says
the Knoxville Tribune, has been preach
ing the Gospel for eight years, and
never went TO school II day in his life
This man has an interesting career; In
iact. 1t Is remarkable. He is now just
forty years old. and during the coming
winter he Is going to take a study course
ana some day he will doubtless be one
OF the leading evangelists of the coun-
try. His home is in Maryyille, where
ne has wife and an Interesting fami-
ly of little ones
Few people who are natives Of Blount
county. and who saw Tom Sexton grow
up TO manhood. ever dreamed that he
would be minister of the Gospel. He
was born near Clarksville, Ga and is
the son OF John Sexton, who was a vet
eran blacksmith
IN 1917 the Sexton family located in
Blount county, and the old man OPEN
ed a small blacksmith shop alongside
the H. and y. railroad track, about
three miles beyond Rockford. Here hc
remained until few years before his
ucath, which occurred seven years ago.
SeN'ons shop was known far and
Wide; in fact, 1t was the only one in that
neck OF the woods for several years
rom grew up around the shop. and
Ioout All he learned was the trade of
he was married. and soon after opened
Il shop for himself at Maryville. but
iatcr moved to Rockford. whore he
spent at least ten years OF his life He
was known over the country as an
han!tual drunkard. and was often in
great extent.
One day he had been 10 Knoxville
ooozing pretty heavily, and thought The
tra,h mad left him, so he attempted To
walk nome. Out near the X. and A.
Junction he 50: down upon Il cross tie
ana When the train came dlong he re-
FUSED 10 get up, and the conseuuercc VAS
mat lie was Knocked into ditch, !,u.
no. seriously hurt, ana was picked uD
anu taken TO his home, which was then
a little frame hut just beyond tn. I.orji-
ford depot. Another time he vas roinr
nome late one night, riding horseback,
and rode his horse off into a ditch,
tho animal falling on him. and neither
was aDiH - set up until a mall cam
ana took the animal off the man An.
othcr time he drove Il blind mulc inlD
the river having in the buggy his wife
and children. hut il happened that none
of them was killed.
Eight years ago Tom prof .sscd re-
llgion. and determined to lead {: better
life. He concluded that he had been
called 10 preach. ana so, at Morgan
town. in Loudon county, he preached
ms lie has kept constantly at it, In
KNOXVILLE he has held four revivals and
iad ''90 conversions. During all his life
OF drunkenness, he says, his good wife
prayed for MIN, and never did he doubt
her religion. and since he became a
prea chcr she has laugh; him to read and
write Since then he has had strong
desire to attain more knowledEe but ha
never had the time nor means He is
now preaching throughout East Tonnes
see To &c. money enough TO support
ms family for three months during the
winter. while he puts In that time stu
dying. Some of the college professors
Mt MaryVille have agreed To give him
instructions and 10 hear him recite.
While in the city one day last week lie
told II Tribune man that he was iust go
ing To cast Off all cares and do nothing
hut study. ON the LIST of September he
opened II big revival in Knoxville, and
what money lie can make will go toward
Keeping his family while he is studying
this winter.