Places in Blairsville Twp

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Section 1 Weaver was a mining camp which was est in 1902. There was no police officers in Weaver.  After the mine was gone, the town began to disappear and by 1938 it was completely gone. Today there are a few houses on a country road.

Section 8 Bush was a mining camp named for BF Bush and est in Sep 1905.  In 1925, the Missouri Pacific RR company was located here. At one time there was an orphanage in Bush, I don't know when it closed but it was still in use in the 1970's. Bush is now a small village.

Section 9 North Bend was a small village,today there are just one or two houses left

Section 11 Humphrey's Ford was est by Charles Humphrey, he came to the twp in 1808 being the first to settle there. This was a ford to cross the Big Muddy River. He left Wmson Co about 1812 and moved to Kaskasia.

Section 10/11 Vancil's Bend was located on the line between sections 10 and 11 just about where Humphreys Ford was. I believe this is a homestead rather than a village. Isaac Vancil was born in KY (1800-1872), his father was Jonas (1754-1856), a Morman minister. Isaac had a colorful past having lived in Union and Jackson Co's. I am unsure just when he reached Wmson Co but in 1869 he married my great great grandmother, Mary B (Dillon) Finney. She along with several of her children from her first marriage moved to Vancil's Bend. In April of 1872, the KKK visited the family, and told them to leave the area with in two weeks. The reason for this request is unknown, but it is thought that the KKK wanted access to the ford. On 22 Apr 1872, the KKK returned, to find Isaac still living there, they hung him according to some accounts this happened away from the house. According to family members, it was in front of the family in his front yard. The Governor put up a large reward for the murders, and one witness was also murdered. In 1900 the area was still know as Vancil's Bend

Section 14 Clifford was a mining camp named for Clifford Garrison, also known as the Consolidated #8 mine.  In 1925 there were 1500 people living here.  All that remains today are a few houses. It was located just north of Colp on the Clifford Road.Section 18  Hurst was a mining town plated in 1903 on the farm of WC Hurst. It became a town on 29 Dec 1905. 

Section 20 Blairsville was est by William Campbell in 1823. There was a ford here across the Big Muddy River, the bank was steep so they would yell out to pull tight when crossing earning the name Pull-Tight. Mr Campbell sold out to Stephen Blair in 1832.1876 map shows a PO.  In Oct 1900, 8 blocks were plated with 32 lots for Samuel Brush for an addition.   Today it is a small village.

Section 22 Colp was a mining camp est by John Colp in Dec 1913 also known as Madison #9 and "Pistol City".   Today Colp remains a small village

Section 26 Sunnyside was a mining camp on the west side of Herrin. Sunnyside was incorporated into Herrin after 1930

Section 27 Brush Junction est as a RR junction by Samuel T Brush.

Section 28 Bobby Dick Mine

Section 29 Beaver Pond was actually the homestead of John Beaver est in 1842. Having a very large family he founded a church and school.

Section 31 Downey Crossing was a mining camp est by Mark Bendleman.

Section 32 Cambria was est as a mining town. In 1895 a RR station was opened as Lauder. The post office was est in 1905 under the name of Reeves.   In 1911 the town changed its name to Cambria which is the Latin name for Wales. 

Section 34 Dewmaine a mining camp named for Admiral Dewey and the ship "Maine", also known as Madison #8. There were mine riots here in May 1898.  In 1925, there were 500 people living here.  The Madison Coal Company office was located here.  Nothing remains today. It was located on the south side of what is Gary's Metals today on the Carterville-Colp Rd.

Section 36 Malcolmville a mining camp est by Malcom McNeil. Hafer was the name of a trolley station in which a small hamlet grew up around Today all that remains are a few houses.