The Parsons papers span the years 1876-1893 and include correspondence, notes taken by Parsons during his trial, and a large volume of clippings and broadsides. Nearly all of the documents fall within the period 1885-1889. Due to physical deterioration, the original clippings were destroyed after microfilming. Remaining in the paper records is the original correspondence and the typescript of the notes taken by Parsons during his trial.
The correspondence is made up primarily of letters to Mrs. Parsons during her husband's imprisonment and shortly after his execution, and telegrams between Parsons and his wife while she was touring other parts of the country.
Throughout the trial Parsons kept notes recording his impressions of actions by the prosecution, the defense, and the judge. Included in this collection is a partial typed copy of these notes covering primarily the period of jury selection. The original and complete notebook was lost in 1965.
The clippings and broadsides chiefly concern the Haymarket rally, trial, and various speaking tours of Mrs. Parsons. Some of the earlier clippings also include information on the International Working People's Association, and the eight-hour day movement in Chicago. They are arranged in a scrapbook kept by the Parsons from December 9, 1886 through August 1887 and several folders of loose clippings. Many of the loose clippings were originally in a second scrapbook, which was cut apart and photocopied in 1964 due to physical deterioration. The loose clippings are now arranged chronologically with a large group of undated clippings at the end.
Pamphlets from the collection have been sent to the Historical Society Library and most broadsides to Iconography (now Visual Materials Collections in WHS Archives).
