This story takes place in July 1858. When Ben reads the newspaper account of Lincoln's "house divided" speech, he notes it was given "last month." The famous speech was delivered on June 16, 1858 in Springfield, Illinois.
The title is taken from Jesus' words in the Gospel of Mark 3:25 (with parallels in Matthew 12:25 and Luke 11:17): "A house divided against itself cannot stand." Presidential candidate Abraham Lincoln famously used the words to describe his divided nation in a June 16, 1858 speech.
Guest star Cameron Mitchell was only 41 years old when he played Frederick Kyle, aged to appear older. Seven years later Mitchell was cast as ranch boss Buck Cannon in The High Chaparral (1967), a series created by David Dortort, the creator of Bonanza.
It is learned from Frederick Kyle that Little Joe's middle name is Francis, thus his full name is Joseph Francis Cartwright.