Edward Z. C. Judson, known by the pen name Ned Buntline and called the father of the dime novel, came to Smithland to publish his works and lived here in 1845. He brought fame to Buffalo Bill, William Cody, through stories and promotion of his renowned Wild West show, wrote of the marshals of the frontier West, and in 1876 gave Colt Buntline Special revolvers to Wyatt Earp, Bat Masterson, and others. The Gower House, erected about 1780, was one of the luxury inns built to accommodate travelers on the Ohio River and hosted many celebrities of that era, including Presidents James K. Polk and Zachary Taylor, American Red Cross founder Clara Barton, authors Charles Dickens and Lew Wallace, Henry Clay, and Lafayette, who was a guest here in May 1825 during his triumphal U.S. tour.