This was one of the first powered operations that I ever saw. It had a huge fuel-powered engine that ran a large air compressor; the compressed air and special sand was used to cut the inscriptions in the tombstones.

As a small boy of six years old I thought this was something to see! He could place a thick layer of rubber-like coating over the face of a stone, then cut the lettering and other designs on the stone, which was placed in the sand-blasting booth to do the lettering and artwork. I would say that Mr. Roberts has erected thousands of tombstones and grave markers, in the cemeteries of Adair and neighboring counties.

Mr. Evan Roberts did other services for the community of Sparksville and Adair County. When a couple decided to get married, they could stop at the shop where Mr. Roberts worked, and he would become Rev. Even Roberts. He performed many weddings standing just out side his shop and when there was a death in some of the families; again Rev. Mr. Roberts was willing to oblige by officiating at the funeral service.

When times were slow and you could catch him is his blacksmith shop he could make you a pair of horseshoes or a clip for a single-tree. The blacksmith shop was another site for a young child to see. He would pump the big billows by pulling a rope or lightly pumping it by foot when he needed the coals just a little hotter, so the hammer could form the iron into the shape that he desired. This was the only blacksmith shop I ever saw in that part of the county.

Other interesting notes about Mr. Roberts was that he taught school when he was young. A story comes to mind about his schoolteaching days. Many times I have heard that his wife was one of his students before their marriage.

When my lovely wife and I got married, we went to Adair County for our first trip after our marriage; we spent the night with Mr. Evan Roberts and his wife Sophia. For you see she was my grandfathers oldest daughter.

Written by: Carlis B. Wilson.This story was previously published in the Adair County Review - Summer 2001 Issue 2, and the Kentucky Explorer - October 2001 Issue