The below picture, furnished through the courtesy of Mrs. W. T. Haire of Hornersville, shows three former citizens of this county who have passed on, one of them Thomas Neel, Jr., being the first white child born in Dunklin County in May, 1832.  His parents having moved to this county from Tennessee the February preceding when they settled near Lulu.  He grew up under the pioneer conditions of life and became acquainted with the Indians and knew all of the customs which distinguished them.  The other two in the picture were two of Mrs. Haire's uncles, Sam and Allen Edmonston, The former having been born, July 2, 1841, and the latter in 1838.  This picture was made several years ago at an Old Soldiers Reunion at Memphis. I must remind you this Thomas Neel Jr. is the son of the Thomas Neill in the, "Amos Stoddard article," found on the Stoddard Web site. There is no Proof of him being the first white child born in Dunklin Co.  It could be folklore but the tale is even carved on his tombstone.  There is a Photo of the Headstone below also. Betty - wwronka@tca.net Thomas Neel Jr. Tombstone Box Elder Cem. Mississippi CO., AR. Home of Thos Neel, Big Lake AR.

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