Coal Branch, Illinois, Newspaper Clippings
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
EARLY HISTORY OF COAL BRANCH - GODFREY TOWNSHIP
RESUME DIGGING AT COAL BRANCH
Source: Alton Weekly
Courier, January 6, 1854
The coal diggers on Coal Branch will
resume labor today at 5 cents per bushel, with the understanding
that this rate shall be permanent. Our informant (one of the
diggers) says there will be a supply of coal in town this
afternoon.
STRIKE AT THE COAL BRANCH MINES
Source: Alton Weekly
Courier, April 29, 1858
It is with pleasure we announce that
operations in the Coal Branch Mines were resumed yesterday, the
difficulty upon which the "strike" of last winter occurred
having been satisfactorily adjusted. At the time the "strike"
first occurred, we expressed the opinion that the miners were
acting indiscreetly, and that they would regret their action.
The result has proved that we were correct, for the miners have
resumed labor at precisely the wages that were offered to them,
and from which they struck. We were yesterday informed by two
gentlemen connected with the mines, that during the time they
have been idle, the strikers could have taken out coal to the
value of about twenty thousand dollars! This coal is there yet,
and can yet be taken out and sold, so that the owners of the
mines have suffered but a trifling loss; but the money which the
strikers could have earned during the time they have been out of
employment is forever lost to them. "Strikes" never injure the
employer as much as the employee, and should never be resorted
to by the latter, unless in peculiarly aggravated cases.
WICKEDNESS AT THE COAL BRANCH
Source: Alton Weekly
Courier, March 3, 1859
Those who have mourned, in times past,
over the wickedness of that section of the County known as the
Coal Branch neighborhood, will be heartily rejoiced to learn
that a good work has been going on there for some time. It
commenced with an effort at temperance reform. Meetings were
held, speeches made, personal effort given, and in a word,
nothing spared to bring about a change in the habits of the
miners. After much labor, those who labored beheld their toil
crowned with success of the most gratifying character. He who
cares for the Sons of Men was with those who sought to do good
there, and blessed them abundantly. Finally, when the temperance
movement had accomplished a great deal, religious meetings were
opened, and all invited to come in and hear of the things
pertaining to the higher life. The call was accepted, and a
Revival commenced which has known no languishing for more than
four weeks. "Now" has proved itself to be the accepted time; and
the walls of many houses in that neighborhood have lately echoed
to the songs of rejoicing which no man sings more than once in a
lifetime - even those new songs that he sings when he first
realizes what life is, and what relation this world bears to the
one of which death is the gateway. The meetings have been held
by day and night, have been attended to overflowing, and have
resulted in the hopeful conversion of a large number and the
outward reformation of many more. Through all the bad weather of
the last month, they have been thronged by earnest inquirers,
and the final result is that now an effort is being made to
establish a Church there. It is proposed, we believe, to erect a
building of two stories height, the lower room of which shall be
used for religious services, and the upper for Temperance
services. We know not, but presume that a call will be made upon
the people of the surrounding country, and of this city, to
assist by contributions, in erecting the building. If such a
call should be made, let it be favorably met by our citizens -
not coldly and grudgingly, but heartily and cheerfully; nay,
gladly and welcomingly.
COAL BRANCH CHURCH
Source: Alton Weekly Courier, April 21,
1859
In this paper was noticed a short time ago that the
original plan of one Church at the Coal Branch was likely to be
supplanted by a plan for two. This consummation has been
effected. The Baptists have already commenced the erection of
one edifice, and the Methodist Society have taken the initiatory
steps for putting up another. By all means, let them be
encouraged to go on and carry out their plans.
FIRE AT COAL BRANCH
Source: Alton Telegraph, October 11,
1861
We learn that this morning at about two o’clock, the
residence of Mrs. Jane Bryant, situated on the Coal Branch Road
just out of the city limits, with all the furniture, was
consumed. The family were only awakened from sleep just in time
to escape with their lives, losing nearly all their wearing
apparel. The house was a two-story brick, and was valued at
about $1,200. There was an insurance on the property of $800.
COAL BRANCH BOYS ENLIST IN 1ST REGIMENT OF COL. PHILLIPS
Source: Alton Telegraph, June 3, 1864
The Illinois Journal of
Saturday last says, that it learns "that the first regiment of
one hundred days' men, Col. Phillips, are to be mustered into
the service today at Camp Butler." This is the regiment to which
the Upper town [Upper Alton] and Coal Branch boys are attached,
and we know they will be rejoiced to get into active service,
for they had become very tired lying idle at Camp Butler.
STABBING AT COAL BRANCH
Source: Alton Telegraph, July 24,
1868
Last night two young men, sons or stepsons of a colored
woman, got into a quarrel at the Coal Branch, and another
colored man attempted to stop the altercation. The woman, it
seems, wanted to see the fight out, and seizing a knife, stabbed
the man who was interfering, wounding him severely in the side.
The woman is a desperate character, and no one at the Branch
would undertake to arrest her. A guard was put around her house
until this morning, when a warrant was served upon her. The
wounded man is dangerously, but not necessarily fatally,
injured. Neither of the parties concerned have been long
residents of the Branch, and we could not learn their names.
P. S. Since the writing of the above, the woman has been
brought to town and lodged in the city jail. It is now thought
that the man cannot long survive his injuries.
COAL BRANCH ROAD
Source: Alton Weekly Telegraph, December
30, 1875
A number of the prominent citizens of Coal Branch,
among them Messrs. David R. and William R. Jones, Mitchell,
Robinson, Rutledge, Malloy, White and others, were in town
Friday and had a conference with the County Commissioners,
Messrs. Kinder, Bardill and Crawford, who are also in town, in
regard to the condition of the Coal Branch road. This important
thoroughfare was never built in a substantial manner, and is now
utterly impassible. The prosperity of the Coal Branch is greatly
dependent upon this road being kept in good repair. The county
authorities owe it to the taxpayers of that section to give
prompt attention to the condition of this thoroughfare. They
have already examined it and acknowledge that the
representations of the citizens in regard to it are correct. We
hope they will act promptly and thoroughly in the matter.
COAL BRANCH OLD LANDMARK TO BE MODERNIZED
Source: Alton
Evening Telegraph, July 12, 1904
Rees D. Jones of Chicago has
made arrangements for the complete remodeling, practically the
rebuilding, of the historic old Jones building on the Coal
Branch, at the corner of Alby and Elm streets in North Alton,
and it will be converted into three modern flats. Two of the
flats will be on the ground floor and one of the second floor.
If walls had a tongue as well as ears and could talk, many an
interesting story could be told of happenings in that building
which is one of the oldest of the coal branch edifices erected
at the time that section was one of the most populous and
prosperous coal mining sections in southern Illinois. The head
of the Jones family conducted a saloon and boarding house there
for years, and many politicians of state and national reputation
partook of its hospitality on every recurring campaign. Fred
Hoffmeister, the real estate agent, is looking after the
remodeling business for Mr. Jones.