I wanted to comment on who donated the land for the College. Dr. Jewell donated $10,000 worth of land which he owned in mid-Missouri. He owned no property in Liberty. He was willing to sell that land for the cash or give the land to the trustees as a valued asset.

There’s really no question that the initial eight acres of land where the College sits was given by Judge J.T.V. Thompson. That was well documented during the Sesquicentennial in 1999, which is ehen the last major renovation took place and a cupola put atop the building.

As for Dr. Jewell’s gift, it has long been held that he sold that land and the money from that sale was used for the construction of Jewell Hall.

The College was named for him because it was he who first called for a Baptist college in the late 1830s, but the new state denomination didn’t have the resources to do it then. He renewed his offer of land in 1846 or 47 and Baptists were ready. And the ball got rolling with the official beginning in 1849. He really wanted the school to be in Booneville and withdrew his offer of land, but then reconsidered. Even though Dr. Jewell didn’t get the school where he wanted, Alexander Doniphan suggested the school be named for him.

Jewell history is a fascinating topic. Thanks for writing about it.

David