For all those history buffs out there, I figured this would
be a post that would spark some interest. It sure did mine when I had heard
talk about "Bad Tom Smith" who is supposedly buried in Vicco, KY with
a pretty interesting epitaph engraved on his headstone. So of course I had to
make a stop to see for myself. After snapping some photos, I went to work on
finding out a little more. From information I obtained through a reprint of the
Louisville Courier Journal that was published on June 28, 1895, Tom Smith had
quite a record that included wounding people in Perry County during election
time, having the courthouse burnt down to destroy all documents of his crimes
that he had previously committed in an attempt to not be tried for them, theft,
and even murder. It was said that him along with his brother fled to Knott
County, hid underneath a house, eventually taking another life before he was
eventually caught. June 28, 1895 was the day that Tom Smith was hung, making it
the first hanging to ever take place in Breathitt County. There is so much more information pertaining
to Bad Tom Smith if you wish to find out more on your own, but after thinking
about his story, and seeing his epitaph on his headstone which says, "Bad
Enough to Be Hanged, Not too Bad Enough for God to Save", it got me really
thinking about how strong faith in Eastern Kentucky really is; something that I
have a lot of myself and I'm proud to have.
Faith and religion is something that you see a lot of in the
funeral business. That is one of the many reasons I love it so well. While I
have my own beliefs and stand firm behind them, I find it very interesting to
see how other people of different beliefs worship as well as enjoy taking a
part in their funeral customs when someone beloved to them has passed away.
After all, that is one of the main duties of our job in the funeral business;
to help and accommodate the needs of the families we serve to best of our
ability during one of the most difficult and trying times of their life. It is
of great importance that we do this without letting our own judgement and beliefs
prevent us from doing so. With that being said, I personally take that same
practice and apply it outside of the work environment as well. Bad Tom Smith
committed terrible crimes, but obviously kept his faith. He was aware of his
actions, and confessed to many of his crimes minutes before his death. He had
his own beliefs and made it quite clear and wanted everyone to know that by
supposedly saying this: "
"Friends, one and all, I want to talk to you a little
before I die. My last words on earth to you are to take warning from my fate.
Bad whiskey and bad women have brought me where I am. I hope you ladies will
take no umbrage at this, for I have told you the God's truth. To you, little
children, who were the first to be blessed by Jesus, I will give this warning:
Don't drink whiskey and don't do as I have done. I want everybody in this vast
crowd who does not wish to do the things that I have done, and to put
themselves in the place I now occupy, to hold their hands. It looks like what I
shall see in Heaven. Again I say to you, take warning from my fate and live
better lives than I have lived. I die with no hard feelings toward anybody.
There ain't a soul in the world that I hate. I love everybody. Farewell, until
we meet again."
-Bad Tom Smith
Eastern Kentucky is in the heart of what most call the
"Bible Belt" but is also home to other religions as well. It is so
great to see people come together regardless of their beliefs, so they can send
a good farewell to one they have lost. A great lesson can be learned from Tom
Smith which is: no matter what you have done, no matter how bad you or those
around you may think you are, always have faith in something. I
believe that everyone should have something to believe in, even at the darkest
of times, no matter what it may be.
If you are interested in learning more about Bad Tom Smith, below are the links that I used to obtain information for this piece.
http://www.breathittcounty.com/BadTom.html
http://hazardkentucky.com/more/badtomsmith.htm
No comments