Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout. He wrote his wife a short letter to let her know he might be returning home for a week before returning to his work as a judge.

Letter from John M. Garman to John Patterson Osterhout regarding an invitation to visit Belton, Texas. Mr. Garman regretted having to decline Mr. Osterhout's invitation to visit and told him that the next time he came South, he would try to visit. Included is an envelope addressed to "Hon. J. P. Osterhout." The front of the envelope has an image of the lobby at the New Waverly Hotel and Bath House in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

A brief letter from James E. Frear to John Patterson Osterhout concerning legal matters. It appears there is trouble concerning the death of someone and an estate that had no will. James, an attorney, advises that John sue for his share having been used for a time before everything was sorted out. Included is an envelope addressed to "Hon. John Patterson Osterhout."

Letter from Silas O. Osterhout to John Patterson Osterhout on stationary for the Centre Bank in Montana. S. O. Osterhout wrote to find out if he and John were related. Included is an envelope addressed to "John P. Osterhout Esq."

Letter from J. R. Hartley to Hartley's siblings, John Patterson and Junia Roberts Osterhout, discussing Hartley's family. Hartley told them how the children were doing in school and that one of their daughters was going to become a teacher. The letter is composed of local gossip and let them know that an acquaintance had inquired about them.

Letter from Ann Farman to her mother with news of her family. She wrote of her children's health and mentioned that her family wanted to be remembered by her mother. She mentioned a man that was looking to get a place nearby. Parts of the letter are difficult to read due to blotches on the paper fading the writing.

Letter from Mary to her sister regarding their mother's death. She detailed the last moments of her mother and the funeral. She ended her letter by wishing her sister could have been there to help lessen the mourning process.

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 Alice to her cousins about family news and her schooling. She wrote about the teacher she and her sister have and the state of the school building. She told her cousins that they had to write a return letter or she would not write them again.

Letter from E. B. Convers to his cousin, Gertrude Osterhout, regarding news he had heard about her health. He was glad to hear she had recovered from being sick and mentioned a dispute that seemed to be going on between him and a mutual acquaintance. He told her that he would be heading to Washington for work soon. Included is an envelope addressed to "Miss Gertrude Osterhout."

Letter from Paul Osterhout to his sister, Gertrude Osterhout, about his recent arrival at their family home in Belton, Texas. Paul was sent for by their father so that Paul could work with him in the post office. He mentioned visits he had made around town and told her he would forward a letter to her.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his daughter, Gertrude Osterhout, from when he was traveling around in Texas. He told her where he'd been traveling and that he and the family were doing well. He closed his letter by saying she should bring her roommate down next time she visits.

Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to her brother, Paul Osterhout, regarding news she had heard about his arrival. She had heard from several girls that Paul had been seen in a nearby town and would be visiting only to learn that someone else had been mistaken for him. She told her brother he needed to hurry back and that the girls were asking about him. Included is an envelope addressed to "Mr. Paul Osterhout."

A brief letter from B. F. Lee to his friend, Paul Osterhout, regarding the college Paul was attending. Lee requested that Paul send him all the information he could about the college he was attending.

Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to her sister, Ora Osterhout. She wrote to update her sister about life at school. She told her of a sermon she attended, social event, the food she had been eating while away from home, and other small bits of local news.

Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to Junia Roberts Osterhout. She wrote to update her mother on her school life. Gertrude informed her mother why she was taking a small course load, the high housekeeping standards at the boarding house, and the food that one of the women there makes for them. She requested that her mother send her some things and tell her brother, Paul, to write more often.

Letter from Gertrude Osterhout to her sister, Ora Osterhout. She wrote her sister to update her on life at Baylor College. Gertrude mentioned how she had been sick recently, a prodigious student on campus, and other small bits of local news. She finished by asking about family and talking about clothing.

Letter from Mary to her sister discussing news from family. She updated her sister on what Mary had heard from family in letters and those living nearby.

Envelope addressed to "Mrs. J. P. Osterhout," Junia Roberts Osterhout, in Factoryville, Pennsylvania. The envelope is postmarked for October 30, 1879 from Belton, Texas.

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his son, Paul Osterhout, discussing family life since Paul's departure to work at a telegraph office in another city. He told his son about the recent successful sales of poultry he made and that he had hopes for Paul's future career. John gave his son advice and hoped he would be able to come home and visit soon. Included is an envelope addressed to "Paul Osterhout."

A letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout, expressing his regret that the house felt lonesome without Junia and the three children that were away. He hopes that his son, Paul, will return to live with them if the telegraph company relocates him to an office in town. John then told Junia that when she was ready to make the return home, she should consider whether or not to purchase a second class ticket for the train.

A postcard from Ann Farman to her sister, Junia Roberts Osterhout, expressing Ann's desire to see Junia before she returns home. She told Junia she could not visit yet because her mother was feeling ill and she was disappointed that Junia could not visit.

A letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout, discussing how family life had been since Junia left to visit with extended family. John let her know of local baptisms and poultry sales he had made at the recent fair. He and their daughter, Gertrude, were looking forward to Junia's return home. Included is an envelope addressed to "Mrs. J. P. Osterhout."

Letter from John Patterson Osterhout to his wife, Junia Roberts Osterhout, regarding the departure of their son, Paul, who left home in order to manage a telegraph office in another town. John continued his letter with local news, including the county fair, various persons who were on trial, and a Methodist protracted meeting at a local church.