Mainly interview notes, 1866, recorded in Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio. Topics range widely and include: exploration, settlement, and Indian raids in Kentucky in the 1770s and 1780s; Clark's capture of Vincennes in 1779; episodes in the lives of Simon Kenton and the Wetzels; and the Chicago massacre and other events during the War of 1812 in the Old Northwest. Dozens of participants are mentioned, but among the persons and families for whom there is substantial biographical or genealogical information are William Brooks and his Negro known as “Old Will”; Michael Cassidy; John Clinkenbeard; William Grant and his wife Elizabeth; Governor Thomas Kirker of Ohio; James and John McIntire; Cornelius Rains and his wife Mary; Samuel Wells; and William Wells.

Also found are many notes on the Negro Jean Baptiste Point au Sable and on Indian leaders from the Chippewa, Mingo, Ottawa, Potawatomi, Seneca, Shawnee, and Wyandot tribes, including Blackbird or Sig-ge-naak, Black Partridge or Mu-ca-da-puck-ee and his brother, the Foggy Day or Wau-bun-see; Billy Caldwell or Sauganash; Civil John; James Logan (Captain Jim Logan); Pontiac and his descendants; Shaubena known also as Chau-be-nay, Chambly or Shabonee; the Stone Roller or Sa-natch-e-win; and Tecumseh. A few selections from papers of Thomas S. Hinde were copied by Draper during his negotiations with the Hinde family for acquisition of the originals (which compose Series Y).