The record-union., 1896-10-17
BLACKSMITH EVANGELIST.
Rev. Tom Sexton of Tennessee and
His Remarkable Career.

RSV. IOn SeXtOn, the UldChSfIlltH
preacher who is known to thousands
of people throughout East Tennessee,
has been preaching the gospel for eight
years and never went to school day In
his life This man has an interesting
career; in fact, ii is remarkable. He
is now Just 10 years old, and during the
coming winter he is going to take a
study course, and some day he will
doubtless be one of the leading evange-
lists of the country. His home is in
Maryville, where he has wife and an
interesting family 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 gos-
pei. He was born near Clarksville, Ga,
and is the son of John Sexton, who
was veteran blacksmith.
In 1870 the Sexton family located in
Blount County, and the old man opened
small blacksmith shop alongside the
K and A. Railroad track, about three
miles beyond Rockford. Here he re-
manned until a few years before his
death, which occurred seven years ago.
Sections shop" was known Ear and
wide; in fact, it was the only one in
that neck of the woods for several
years. Tom grew up around the shop,
and about all he learned was the trade
of his father. When he became of age
he was married and soon after opened
a shop for himself at Maryville, but
later moved to Rockford, where he
spent at least ten years of his life. He
was known over the country as an
N IY-11p la ay6 of in
trouble, neglecting his business to a
great extent.
One day he had been to Knoxville,
bCozing prettily heavily, and thought
] the train had left him, so he attempted
| to walk home. Out near the X. and A.
| junction he sat down upon a crosstie
| and when the train came along he re-
| fused to get UP. and the consequence
| was that he was knocked into a ditch
but not seriously hurt, and was picked
| up and taken to his home which was
then in little frame hut just beyond
the Rockford depot Another time he
( was going home late one night riding
horseback, and rode his horse off into
ditch, the animal falling on him, and
| neither was able to get up until man
| came and took the animal off the man.
| Another time he drove a blind mula
| into the river having in the buggy his
| wife and children but it happened none
| of them was killed.
| Eight years ago Tom professed re-
| ligion and determined to lead a better
| life. He concluded that he had been
| called to preach, and SO, at Morgan
| town, in Loudon County, he preached
| his first sermon, and from that day tC
| this he has held four reviyals and had
| 800 conversions. During all his life OF
| drunkenness he says his good wife
prayed for him, and never did he doub,
| preacher she has taught him to read
| and write. Since he has had a strong
! desire to attain more knowledge but
! has never had the time nor the means
| He is noN preaching throughout East
| Tennessee 70 get money enough to sup
port his fan. lily for three months dur
! ing the wintCr =, while he puts in thai
| time in studying. Some of the college
professors at Marvyille have agreed tC
| give Lim Instructions and to hear him
recite. While in the city one day las!
1 week he told a Tribune" man that he
| was just going to cast off eil cares and
| 10 nothing but study. On The 1st ol
| Sc eptemper he viii open a big revival IN
| knoxville, and s.hat money he car
make w:ll so toward keeping his FAM
| lily while he is studying this winter
Knoxville Tribune.