Page 113 - WPA Book
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Works Project Administration – Articles from Rockingham County
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Cock and Bull Story.
2. LOCATION:
Bibler Home, located on the Warm Springs Highway, west side, about 2 miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia.
3. DATE:
Early eighties.
4. OWNERS:
Lewis Bibler.
Bowman family.
Mrs. Sharpe, present owner.
5. DESCRIPTION:
The house is a substantial stone building, in splendid condition, erected by Lewis and Barbara Bibler in June
1797, which fact is evidenced by a block of stone in the north end gable of the house with the names and dates
carved on same.
The Biblers lived here until 1848 when Lewis Bibler died; he and other members of the family are buried on the
farm near the house. The graves are marked with plain blocks of limestone with no inscriptions. After the
passing of the Biblers, the property was owned by a Bowman family.
In the early eighties, it seems that some of the Bowman family came in contact with and fell under the influence
of a fanatic by the name of Thurman, who went about the country preaching the coming of the Lord on certain
dates. Many people joined this faith and the Bowman home was headquarters for the meetings. Many days were
spent in prayer, singing, fasting, and waiting. During one of these meetings, one of the member’s mother died,
and, when he received word of her death, he sent back the message: “Let the dead bury the dead.” It seems they
expected the Lord to descend down the stairway from an upper room. On one occasion, after waiting a number
of days for the coming of the Lord, the crowd went home. On this occasion, Geo. Holler started across the field
to his home two miles away. Being tired and exhausted, he crawled in an old straw stack and soon fell asleep.
Some boys, who knew Holler, were in the straw stack and decided to set the stack on fire. When the straw
began crackling, Holler awoke and jumped out, exclaiming – “My God, just as I expected, dead and in Hell.”
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Not listed.
August 20, 2024 W.A. Byerly
Bridgewater, VA
Page 112 of 482
HOUSES
1. SUBJECT:
Cock and Bull Story.
2. LOCATION:
Bibler Home, located on the Warm Springs Highway, west side, about 2 miles west of Harrisonburg, Virginia.
3. DATE:
Early eighties.
4. OWNERS:
Lewis Bibler.
Bowman family.
Mrs. Sharpe, present owner.
5. DESCRIPTION:
The house is a substantial stone building, in splendid condition, erected by Lewis and Barbara Bibler in June
1797, which fact is evidenced by a block of stone in the north end gable of the house with the names and dates
carved on same.
The Biblers lived here until 1848 when Lewis Bibler died; he and other members of the family are buried on the
farm near the house. The graves are marked with plain blocks of limestone with no inscriptions. After the
passing of the Biblers, the property was owned by a Bowman family.
In the early eighties, it seems that some of the Bowman family came in contact with and fell under the influence
of a fanatic by the name of Thurman, who went about the country preaching the coming of the Lord on certain
dates. Many people joined this faith and the Bowman home was headquarters for the meetings. Many days were
spent in prayer, singing, fasting, and waiting. During one of these meetings, one of the member’s mother died,
and, when he received word of her death, he sent back the message: “Let the dead bury the dead.” It seems they
expected the Lord to descend down the stairway from an upper room. On one occasion, after waiting a number
of days for the coming of the Lord, the crowd went home. On this occasion, Geo. Holler started across the field
to his home two miles away. Being tired and exhausted, he crawled in an old straw stack and soon fell asleep.
Some boys, who knew Holler, were in the straw stack and decided to set the stack on fire. When the straw
began crackling, Holler awoke and jumped out, exclaiming – “My God, just as I expected, dead and in Hell.”
6. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:
7. ART:
None.
8. SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
Not listed.
August 20, 2024 W.A. Byerly
Bridgewater, VA
Page 112 of 482
