First white child born in JC, Jewel Bell

Jewell County was organized on July 14, 1870. Twenty- three days later, on Aug. 6, 1870, the first white child was born in the new county. The baby girl was appropriately named, Jewell Bell. Jewell Bell Thomas.

She was born near White Rock, Kansas, to Eli and Barbara Willis Thomas. The location, according to various newspaper accounts was "where the Old Settlers of White Rock hold their reunion."

The reunion location is thought to be in the area where Section 12 abuts Section 13 in Sinclair Township. It is quite likely she was born there as the NW 1⁄4 of Section 13 was homesteaded by Eli Thoma...