Letters, 8-18 May 1875 and 7 July 1878, penned by Wilson and two other correspondents, C. McCantts and Henry S[telts], provide a glimpse life in the Aiken County community of Langley, S.C., in the decade following the Civil War during Reconstruction and beyond. Appraising the economic conditions in a letter of 8 May 1875, addressed simply to "Mr. Alf," Wilson complained of sales that were "tolerable only" and further reported that "Langley Mills ... are Suspending all unnecessary hands." He cautioned against buying too many goods, in particular groceries, "for their profit as you know will never make a man rich in this place." Wilson's letter of 18 May 1875 describes an altercation between two men identified only as "B.N." and "J.H." in which the former was shot in the leg.
