History of the Arbor District p. 2 
 
          As Recorder of Deeds, Brush had inside information on land transactions in Jackson County .  By the summer of 1852 he determined from land purchases that the Illinois Central would build stations at that towns of Makanda and Desoto in Jackson County .  Brush conceive a plan to find a suitable location between the two stations, purchase the land, and persuade the railroad to put a third station between Desoto and Makanda.  Brush found partners for his proposed scheme in Asgill Conner and Dr. William Richart.  Once the partners found the perfect site, they had to convince representatives of the railroad to agree to a third station, as well as raise the needed capital for the purchase of property for the proposed town.  The Illinois Central representatives proved helpful in both areas.

            When Brush went to Jonesboro , Illinois to meet with Mr. Lewis W. Ashley, representative of the railroad, Ashley immediately endorsed the plan.  Brush and his associates had chosen a site that took advantage of an existing east – west route between the county seat of neighboring Williamson County, at Marion, Illinois and the new Jackson county seat at Murphysboro.[1]  Their town would be located on nearly a direct line between the two county seats.  The new rail line would create a crossroads at the proposed site.  Brush wrote, “I proposed to Mr. Ashley that he, together with such other employees of the road as he might designate, should become interested in the speculation.”[2]  Local attorney, John Daugherty also joined as an investor when he overheard their discussion.[3]   Of the twelve original proprietors of Carbondale , seven, including Ashley, were probably employees of Illinois Central Railroad.[4]  With financing secure, Brush proceeded to purchase the chosen property.

            Brush purchased 360 acres of land, in Township 9 South, Range 1 West, on behalf of the promoters. 120 acres of this tract were in the southwest corner of Section 16.  The remaining 240 adjoined on the northwest portion of Section 21. At a meeting of the investors on 25 November 1852, Brush proposed they name the new town Carbondale , in deference to the coal that rail travel was dependent on.  His investors approved.  Brush went on to make several proposals for the newly named Carbondale .  Carbondale would have four town lots reserved for the building of churches.  The town would permanently ban liquor sales.  The new town owners entered a provision  “upon the town plat forfeiting to the town for the support of the public schools the title to any lot on which spirituous liquors for use as a beverage were sold [sic].”[5]  Experience in the creation of Murphysboro influenced the suggestions Brush made in November.  Once details were settled, the new owners divided up half the lots amongst themselves and prepared to offer each alternate lot at public auction.