The collection consists of the ledger Robert Wardlaw used for his trading post and store in Mankato from 1855-1858. Included in the collection are assorted receipts that were loose in the ledger and previously removed. The donor created a typed ledger of the journal to aid researchers in identifying people of interest.

A manuscript produced by Shirley J. Wood focuses on four main sections of the Wood Brothers’ lives. 1. The story of Absalom/Robert Wardlaw in the early days of Mankato 1850s 2. William, George, and Charles Wood’s trading venture before 1857 3. Alexander Wood, an attorney in Minnesota after the death of his brothers 4. Elisha Wood and his involvement in the Civil War, along with his life afterwards