Jett and Thompson to be featured on national TV show By Charles Mattox It’s a long way from the foothills of rural Fleming County to Hollywood, but two native sons who have become well known for their legendary restoration of historic log structures will be featured on TV on the DIY network Nov. 1 at 10 pm. Johnny Jett and Sherman Thompson of Fleming County will be featured on a program on Nov. 1 at 10 p.m. on the DIY Network in a film production called ‘Barnwood Builders’. Jett and Thompson have worked for Mark Bowe, the owner of Antique Cabins and Barns, which is based in Lewisburg, West Virginia, since 1998. Jett and Thompson will be featured on the show as part of a project that included dismantling and restoring an 1830 barn built by Josiah Lincoln, an uncle of President Abraham Lincoln. The project like many they have worked on is receiving national attention. Bowe works alongside both men and his admiration and respect for them is evident. “Pound for pound, Sherman is one of the toughest people I know,” Bowe said of Thompson. “He works longer and harder than anyone I know. He has an immense knowledge of log cabins and how they were built and he can use a chainsaw like it’s an extension of his hand. Over the years he’s also come to understand the concepts of structural engineering and how that applies to modern building codes while constructing historic log structures.” Bowe also remains impressed with Jett. “How would I describe Johnny?” Bowe asked himself with an easy laugh. “He is an all-around great guy and every time I think of him I smile. He’s the best equipment operator I’ve ever seen, he can pick your teeth with a fork lift, he has an exceptional grasp of pioneer construction methods and he’s an artist. He’s done several sketches of cabins for us to use as a model and he has an incredibly creative mind and what his mind sees his hands can create.” “We’ve been involved in over 200 projects,” Bowe said. “Everything from museum projects to reconstructing slave quarters at Monticello to recreating Abraham Lincoln’s boyhood cabin in Springfield, to a structure from the Patrick Henry estate. So hey, when I know Sherman and Johnny are on site I know the project is going to be done right and I know we will all be smiling while we work on the project.” Bowe began his work career as an underground coal-miner in West Virginia until one day when a co-worker asked him to help dismantle a structure. “I got paid $1,500 for helping him,” Bowe said of how his company roots were formed. Soon he was traveling the back roads of West Virginia and Kentucky. “I met Johnny in Goddard,” Bowe said. “He said he was thinking about getting out of cabin restoration and I said I was thinking about getting into cabin restoration. That’s how it started.” Jett and Thompson have been life-long, close friends and had worked together on cabin dismantling and restoration projects across the region and especially Fleming County. Bowe is himself, no stranger to Fleming County. “I’ve spent many nights in Fleming County, usually staying at Johnny’s cabin. I love the community of Goddard and the people of Fleming County. It feels like home.” Bowe said meeting Johnny and Sherman has been “a life enhancing” experience. He encourages everyone to visit his companies’ website-antiquecabinsandbarns The web site features a video of Jett Thompson and their coworkers called ‘Down Home”. “And I encourage everyone to watch the DIY channel Nov. 1 at 10 p.m.,” he said.
Posted on: Wed, 30 Oct 2013 13:56:17 +0000