Incoming business and professional correspondence addressed to John S. Runnells, 1883-1887, together with his Runnells & Walker legal case files, 1884-1887.

Runnells' correspondence concerns his legal work and political activities on behalf of the Republican Party, including pleas to speak at local events. There are many letters and telegrams from businesses such as the CB&Q (Joseph W. Blythe), Central Telephone Company (R.C. Clowry), Western Union (F.H. Tubbs) officials, regarding passes for free rail travel and telegraph transmissions, legislative influence, and pending or possible cases. Also correspondence from Washington containing instructions to Runnells as United States District Attorney, and requests for passes from individuals for themselves and their families.

Case files date from Runnells' tenure as partner in the firm of Runnells & Walker and contain correspondence and legal documents re suits involving corporations such as the CB&Q and its subsidiaries, Western Union, Capital City Electric Light Company, Iowa Natural Gas and Manufacturing Company, and other Iowa firms. There are also files for personal lawsuits and one criminal case brought by the State of Iowa. CB&Q cases concern accidents, right of way, mortgages, and other issues.