Reconstruction Overview

by Jack Starr

An agent from the Freedmen’s Bureau separates two groups of armed men, one comprised of white men and the other of freed slaves, 1868. PHOTO: STOCK MONTAGE/GETTY IMAGES

Recovering From a Local War

From 1863 to 1877 the South needed to rebuild and recover from the devastation following the American Civil War. The government of the United States made drastic changes and efforts in a period known as Reconstruction. Lives were lost, families were separated, and communities across the country were suffering the consequences of a tragic war. Oxford in particular suffered from a destructive fire that turned most of the city to rubble and ashes. To rebuild and recover from events such as these it takes time, money, supplies, combined effort, and reliability. Neilson’s of Oxford was there for the community when they needed them most. Neilson’s provided opportunities for many during a time of reconstruction and became a pivotal factor in restoring the city of Oxford into a strong community again.

The store first opened in 1839 and prospered until the Civil War. W. S. Neilson converted his savings to gold that was later left untouched following years of war. The doors opened once again on the square in 1866. Being one of the few shops open in the city of Oxford, Neilson’s Department Store offered goods and services to a recovering community. Money was limited across the struggling town, but Neilson’s was able to push commerce and opportunity to those who needed it most by offering accounts. Records and receipts of these accounts have been well recorded for over a century. Some of the earliest records of Neilson’s Department Store are handwritten letters from the Correspondence Book in the archives of the University of Mississippi Library. The photo above is a page taken from the Correspondence Book with the letter on the right dated February 3rd, 1873. The letter states[1]

Miss Friedman Bros

Gent,

Enclosed please find draft for ($131.45) one hundred and thirty one

45/100 pay the balance $83.20 to Sullivan and Vienna to 345 Main St – Please send

receipts for same and ablig.

Yours truly,

W.S. Neilson

Most of these letters are written with the tone and demeanor of a close friend. W.S. Neilson was an outstanding member of the community and maintained a strong relationship with his customers. Throughout the Correspondence Book you can find information on accounts whether they be small or large. Neilson’s Department store offered great opportunity to everyone by providing goods and services at a crucial time. Reliability and trust became a strong attribute in the relationships between the store and the people of Oxford and surrounding areas. The department store became a prospering and reliable source of quality goods that were necessary and vital in a time of reconstruction. By offering open accounts for customers, Neilson’s Department Store provided opportunity for individuals to build trust while improving their living situation.  In the letters written during the later half of the ninetieth century you can interpret the type of relationship the store had with its customers. Sometimes addressing his correponsdents as “your close friend,” W.S. Neilson clearly held a healthy relationship with members of his local community.[2] Trust and reliance were being built across the city and surrounding areas by a single department store.

Oxford is a place that is very unique but also exemplifies cities across the South with its strong heritage and close community. Many buildings, storefronts, restaurants, and streets could write a book if they could share their stories. Neilson’s in particular could tell the most being the longest running department store across the South. A relationship was planted when the store opened its doors to those suffering and in need of goods following the Civil War. Time was needed to rebuild. Supplies were offered by the department store along with customer accounts. Reliability and combined effort by Neilson’s and the residents of Oxford helped commerce and business flourish once again. Reconstruction was a difficult time nationwide and particularly hard on small cities like Oxford. If it were not for people like W.S. Neilson, Oxford may not be the wonderful city it is today.

[1] Arrington, Benjamin T. “Industry and Economy during the Civil War.” Nps.gov. http://www.nps.gov/resources/story.htm?id=251.

[2] Arrington, Benjamin T. “Industry and Economy during the Civil War.” Nps.gov. www.nps.gov/resources/story.htm?id=251.

[3] W.S. Neilson “Blotter”, 19 December 1877, Inventory for the Neilson Department Store Ledger Collection, Department of Archives and Special Collections. The University of Mississippi Libraries.