Certificate of appointment to Postmaster by President Chester Alan Arthur for John Patterson Osterhout. The certificate was signed by the President and the Postmaster General, Walter Q. Gresham. It certified John to work as Postmaster in Belton, Texas.

Letter from Paul Osterhout to his sister, Gertrude Osterhout, regarding news from home. He wrote that their father was canvassing the neighborhood since he was running for a public office and let his sister know that the family would like for her to visit. Paul requested the Gertrude bring a canary back home and offered to go the skating rink of she wanted to learn to skate. A circus came into town and the family went to see the shows. Included is an envelope addressed to "Miss Junia Osterhout."

Letter from Paul Osterhout to his sister, Gertrude Osterhout, updating her with news from home. He apologized for not writing sooner and told her that for the Methodists had a three week meeting in town. He mentioned that he had been raising mocking birds and he planned to send one to an aunt of theirs.