The story is based on a factual case in southeastern Kansas. The Bender family had an inn that was located near Cherryvale, Kansas in the late 1860's. It is believed that they murdered as many as 20 people from 1869 to 1972. Twelve bodies were identified and a large number of body parts were found but It was never possible to estimate their total number of victims. Col. Alexander York, while searching for his missing brother Dr. William York, determined that the Benders had killed his brother. He lead a posse but by the time they located the inn the Benders had fled and were never found.
Nick states in this episode that his full name is Nicholas Jonathon Barkley.
The inn is called Bleeck House with the same pronunciation as the book Bleak House by Charles Dickens, published in 1853.
The set used as The Bleeck House (house and barn) is the same set sometimes seen as the Barkley barn (and small house located next to it) on the Barkley ranch.