Photograph of Mary Frances Smith Barcus and Rev. Edward R. Barcus, posed sitting, visible from the knees up. Mary Frances Smith Barcus wears a white dress with ruffle detailing along the bodice and sleeves, and Rev. Edward R. Barcus wears a dark-colored three-piece suit with a cravat and popped collar. A handwritten note on the back reads, "Grandmama Barcus and Grandfather Barcus. Taken on their wedding day July 1, 1852. Mary Frances Smith (1832-1922) and Rev. Edward R. Barcus (1825-1896)."

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on July 1, 1944, discussing a bottle of Italian beer he and his fellow soldiers were given, which he thinks is rotten but the rest of them seem to enjoy. From now on, he says, the soldiers will get one bottle a week. The army recently installed a drinking fountain in the town for the soldiers' use. The Italians, who Willis says have never seen one before, are intrigued by it, although they don't know how to use it.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to John T. Willis, Sr. on July 1, 1943. He discusses his government fund and the money he's been sending home, and asks if his father will be able to make any money off the farm.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on July 1, 1943. He has bought them an ottoman, and tells them how to stuff it when it reaches them. He also tells them to be on the lookout for a picture of him that a colleague sent them.

Letter from John Todd Willis, Jr. to his parents Clara and John T. Willis, Sr. on July 1, 1944. He says that many people think the war will be over in the fall, and that it's getting hotter in Italy, although it's cool during the evening. He works from 4:30 AM to 2:30 PM. He also mentions that the potato crop was plentiful, and he and his friend Harmon Gilbreath have been frying lots of potatoes.

Postcard of Marlin Public School. A handwritten message begins on the back of the card, but continues on to the front, filling the sky above the school building. The message reads "Having the time of my young life. 'It' did not appear upon the scene- How is 'he' and when did you last see him. Please don't go driving very often while I'm gone!" The postcard is addressed to Miss Jennie Forsgard of Waco, Texas.

Photograph of M. H. Rhoads from the State University in Austin, Texas. He wears a dark-colored coat with a Masonic pin on his lapel. He sports a mustache, which obscures a cleft lip on his left.