The collection contains family correspondence, business papers, and newspaper clippings of the Goss and Emerling (or Emmerling) families of St. Louis. Notable items include the day book of Henry Goss' general store at Florissant, 1838-1842; discharge papers of Ohio Civil War soldier Wendel Emerling; and World War II ration book of Irene Ella Emmerling. Collection also includes two family letters written to James and William H. Luke, who possibly were related to the Goss-Emerling family.

Collection includes several letters of Kelion F. Peddicord to his family while he was imprisoned during the Civil War; letters of fellow war veterans R.M.J. Arnette, G.H. Blakeslee, and J. Ogden Murray, to Peddicord; and correspondence to and from Kelion Peddicord’s sister Mrs. India P. Logan. Collection also contains rolls and reminiscences compiled by Peddicord regarding his military service and that of his unit.