Prosperity Doctor (Dr. A. F. Langford) Induced Negro (Sampson Bridges) Legislator to Turn, Giving Democrats Control 
An interesting and critical incident of 1876 is related in the following letter

To the Editor of "The State"  Published December 14, 1926  From: D. M. Crosson, Leesville

The recent Red Shirt reunion in Columbia brings back to me memories of the past. Though then a mere lad of 18 years, I rode in the Red Shirt ranks and belonged to the Prosperity Rifle Company, which, 65 strong, was ordered out and went to Columbia by special train to report for duty in the trying and exciting time of 1876 and in the days of Reconstruction. We were there when all the militia of the state was brought to Columbia, when Gen. Mart Gary made that famous speech at night on a dry goods box in front of the Grand Central Hotel and advocated a cleaning out of the Republicans from our state capital; when every patriotic citizen was wrought up to fighting heat; when Gen. Wade Hampton counselled peace and quiet, and advised that we do no rash act; when it was decided to organize a Democratic legislature and the "Wallace House" as it was then called, was formed and the record of which all are familiar with.

I know no more fitting times to record one more historic fact: When the opposing political factions were at fighting pitch and each clamoring for government control, when the Democrats decided to take charge of the government and to organize a general assembly and Governor Hampton, being declared chief executive of South Carolina, the general assembly was organized and after much effort had been brought to bear to get a working majority; but we were still lacking one member to give us the majority; then it was that the crowning act came. This is what actuated me to make this true statement which has never been recorded.

It was due to the many, courageous and patriotic effort of Dr. A. F. Langford, of Prosperity, that he and I went quietly to hunt up the Negro Republican, Sampson Bridges, who had worked under my supervision frequently on my father's farm near Prosperity. I remember well that after a diligent search we found Bridges, coming across him while in company with some other Republican members of the Legislature on the street. Doctor Langford attracted his attention and lead him back through an alley way, and when away from the then crowded street and in private and in my presence, not by force or by arms, nor threats nor intimidation, but by logical reasoning, Doctor Langford induced Sampson Bridges to turn over to the Democracy; and we marched him into the Democratic Assembly,and he was sworn in as a representative of that body. This was the climax and final turning point for the triumph of Democracy in South Carolina.

The Democracy of Newberry County nor of South Carolina never gave Doctor Langford just praise, credit or reward for what he did in those trying times. He was a man of superior mind and ability and an able physician. Having been a student of his, as required at that time, he served me as preceptor when I read medicine, and though he some years ago "passed over the river," I want his children, who are Mrs. J. F. Lyon of Columbia, Dr. J. R. Langford of Swansea, Dudley and Pickens Langford, of Prosperity, and his relatives and friends to know the important part he played in the days of Reconstruction. Let us give credit now to whom credit is due.

The Negro, Sampson Bridges, was above the average of his race in intelligence, and was of no mean character. Doctor Langford was Bridge's physician as long as he lived and had always a wonderful influence over the Negro.

Bridges afterward worked frequently on my father's farm under my supervision, and often told us that he thought it was his duty to stand by the people who raised him and cared for him.

The following newspaper article written by E. O. DePass of Columbia appeared in the "State" Newspaper shortly after the death of Dr. John R. Langford.

"Recently Dr. J. R. Langford, of Swansea, Lexington County, passed away in his 83rd year. Doctor Langford was born and reared near Prosperity, Newberry County, and his father was a physician before him, and a gentleman who played a conspicuous and dramatic part in the delivery of the state from radical rule.

Doctor Langford and his forbearers have always been amongst the state's most upright and exemplary citizens. For more than 40 years Doctor Langford had practiced his profession in the vicinity of Swansea. He was an excellent physician and loved his profession with an intense devotion. When one was in pain and suffering Doctor Langford responded, and spared no effort to relieve the sufferer and compensation for his services was never a factor.

He would respond to the call of a suffering Negro or person without worldly goods as quickly as he would to a call of the rich and influential. His great heart went out to all, whether their distress was of suffering or other misfortune. So in his passing we find that there has gone from us the perfect type of "the family physician," and many hearts will be sorely distressed by the losing of the help and advice of this kindly, knightly old gentleman of the old school. I have known Doctor Langford for many years, and I have never seen a man who literally took the Word of God as his daily guide as did this gentleman.

Whenever he was not busy in his office, he could be found reading his Bible. From many notations on the margin of his Bible it could be seen that he not only read the Bible many times, but he had studied it and lived from it. In more recent years of his life he suffered a great deal of pain, but no one ever heard him complain. He was active in his profession up to the day of his death and took a keen interest in the affairs of the nation and his beloved state. Truly a "man after God's own heart" has passed from our midst into a very rich heritage."

The old Dudley Langford home still stands and is one of the historic homes in Prosperity. His daughters, the Misses Mary and Susie Langford, in talking about its unique architecture, commented, "It is the only house in Newberry County, and maybe South Carolina, with a Widow's Walk and a root cellar."

It appears a man from New England came to Prosperity, many years ago, to run the newspaper. This gentleman wanted a New England type home with a Widow's Walk & root cellar; so he planned a rather elaborate home with these features & began building. After the home had been framed, but otherwise unfinished, the gentleman found the newspaper business in Prosperity was not as lucrative as he had hoped-so Dudley Langford bought the property & finished the house as planned.

Newberry District
Written: March 28 1844
Recorded: July 15 1844