The Poet’s House

The Poet’s House in Ghent, Kentucky was built during the Civil War, in 1863. It sits right on the Ohio River. Angie got my number, and I drove to see her home and the sad retaining dry stone wall that sat behind it. It was going to be a real challenge. And I love taking on challenges.

Poet, humorist, columnist, raconteur and soldier, James Tandy Ellis was born June 9, 1868 in the city of Ghent, Carroll County, Kentucky. James was the second son of Dr. Peter Clarkson and Drusilla (Tandy) Ellis. In his early years he attended school at the old Ghent College. He attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College, now the University of Kentucky, in Lexington, where he received his initial military training while attending the college. Ellis continued his education at the Cincinnati Conservatory of Music in Ohio.

On June 30, 1898 he married Harriet Bainbridge Richardson of Lexington. To this union two children were born; James Tandy Ellis Jr., who died in infancy and Drusilla who died at age five. (Wedding Announcement from the New York Times July 1, 1898, Wednesday)

While living in Owensboro, Kentucky, and serving as vice-president of the local water company, Ellis joined the local Guard unit, Company C, 3rd Infantry Regiment of the Kentucky State Guard. On November 27, 1900, he was elected its Captain. On July 7, 1902, Ellis was elected Major of the 3rd Battalion, 3rd Infantry, Kentucky State Guard.

This wall was built with large, heavy limestone on a very steep slope. I imagined the horses and carts and men that brought the stone in. The sheer man power required to build this wall originally must have been staggering. These were big men.

I am a little 5’4” woman. But because they had brought all the stone in, all I had to do was tear it down and put it back together.