Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to her mother, Junia Roberts Osterhout. She wrote home to update her mother on her life at school. Gertrude detailed to her mother some of the end-of-session events that would be happening for commencement and final examinations. She wrote of some girls who had fallen sick and a contest she had entered to win a poetry book.

Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to her mother, Junia Roberts Osterhout. She wrote to her mother to update her on her life at school. She spoke of how excited she was to go home, a trip to a nearby town she made with the boys, and a list of items she needed her mother to send.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his daughter, Gertrude Osterhout, discussing daily life at home. He mentioned that they would be able to make some money by producing buttermilk and that they would be getting more poultry soon. John's uncle, Peter, was having a birthday soon and he requested that Gertrude write a letter to him so that he may pass it along. The letter closed with John saying that it was his birthday the next day and that he wanted Gertrude and his son, Paul, to write to him.

Letter from R. B. Goosby to John Patterson Osterhout briefly discussing recent events. Goosby mentioned he was paying for stenography and that his wife was sick. He hoped to receive another letter from John soon.

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 Leyman Richardson to his friend, John Patterson Osterhout, in response to a letter John sent a month earlier. Leyman was grateful to hear that John had survived the Civil War and informed him of what was happening with the Richardson family. The government requested that Leyman be in charge of a school for children who were orphaned by the war, but decided it was too big of a project for his family. Included is an envelope addressed to "John P. Osterhout."

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout. He was writing from the State capitol about his time working there. He wrote of his opinion of the Republican Party and wished his wife and family well.

Letter from P. W. Osterhout to John Patterson Osterhout with brief news from Tuukhamuock. He was upset that he had yet to receive a letter from John. He wrote this short letter to let John know his family was well and to let him know that an acquaintance has gone to Texas.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout. He wrote to tell his wife when mail arrived at Stephenville, Texas, and the route he would be taking when he began to head home. He mentioned that he had people he needed to visit and hoped their children were behaving well.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout. He lamented that a mobbing had occurred in Belton, Texas, where his family resided. He wrote about a murder case he handled as a judge and, at the end of his letter, prayed his family was well and in God's grace. Included is an envelope addressed to "Mrs. J. P. Osterhout."

Letter from Sarah Frear to her mother. She let her mother know that she had sent goods for her and that she would come visit when her mother requested.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout. He wrote his wife a brief letter to inform her of how he was faring in his travels as a judge. He let her know where he would be headed next so she could send him more letters.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout. He wrote his wife while traveling around to work as a judge. He wanted to know more about the state of their garden and crops because their son, Paul, had not written much about them in his last letter. John let her know where she should direct her future letters and requested that she send them early enough so that he would receive them upon his arrival.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his mother, Sarah Osterhout. He wrote his mother to let her know how his family was doing. He told her he was sorry to hear that someone was sick and gave his recommendation to have the man inhale smoke to help him. He then went on to write about his beliefs that inhaling smoke was good for the lungs and that he learned this from inhaling smoke from a campfire.

Letter from Paul Osterhout to his father, John Patterson Osterhout, discussing his time at school at Baylor College. Paul wrote that he and the other boys were writing speeches for an upcoming commencement ceremony and told his father that he would try to send a copy of his speech for John to look over. He let his father know he had received a package and along with other bits of news from around the school.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his son, Paul Osterhout, about how glad he is that Paul went to school. John looked forward to seeing Paul and his sister's, Gertrude, educational growth. He expressed worry about his younger son, John Jeremiah, not showing any interest in receiving education.

Letter from Paul Osterhout to his father, John Patterson Osterhout, about upcoming events while he was at Baylor College. He wrote about how the boys would be giving speeches at commencement and he planned to praise one of the professors in his speech to increase his chances of winning a medal. Paul requested that his father send him money for new shoes to wear for his speech and listed out his upcoming expenses.

Letter from Paul Osterhout to his parents, John Patterson and Junia Roberts Osterhout. He thanked his family for a recent letter he received from home. Paul described parts of a composition he prepared to give at a commencement ceremony and sent his father a copy of the speech. He mentioned some activities that were going on at the school, including a baseball game and a concert, and insisted that his father or mother try to visit. Included is an envelope addressed to "J. P. Osterhout."

Postcard from John Patterson Osterhout to his son, Paul Osterhout, about traveling he had been doing in Pennsylvania. He told him that his daughter, Gertrude, may be staying a few months longer.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout, and his children about his recent travel. He listed places where he had visited, including arrival and departure times, and told Junia about how her parents and the rest of their family were faring.

Postcard from John Patterson Osterhout to his son, Paul Osterhout, regarding finances. John wanted to send his son money to return home, but he had to wait until he had more.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his son, Paul Osterhout, regarding Paul returning home for a visit. John recommended Paul get his certification to practice being a doctor before he graduates. John sent what money he could and if Paul was able, he had a list of people he wanted Paul to try to visit.

Letter from A. Rilley to her friend, Junia Roberts Osterhout, discussing local news and pensions. Rilley wanted Junia's husband to investigate whether she qualified for a pension since he was running for a position in Congress and might know more. She wrote of others who had received pensions in Texas, including veterans and family members, and about two women she had renting her home.

Letter from Chaplin F. Phillips to John Patterson Osterhout discussing his family. Chaplin was glad to find another one of his father's friends and told John that he would like to speak with him. He told John that if he was ever in Chicago he should come visit.