C. T. Suddeth

The photo is the front of the farmhouse I lived in as a baby. It belonged to my grandparents. This is the front—the back faces the Ohio River—on the right is Bull Creek. Grandpa’s farm ran all the way down to the Ohio River. He farmed with mules but had a milk cow, pigs, and chickens. (this is close to Charlestown Indiana)

The land slopes down to the Ohio River, which during dry weather was fordable on horseback. About 1790, Kentucky settlers built a blockhouse, Armstrong Station, to keep Shawnee warriors from crossing into Kentucky. I believe the farmhouse was built on the only flat ground available—the site of Armstrong Station. Being beside Bull Creek gave the blockhouse an emergency water supply. (blockhouse pictured is an example, the blockhouse was gone before cameras)