This collection consists mainly of manuscripts of historical and fictional works by Smith. A small amount of incoming correspondence, photographs, a poem entitled "The Reporters Litany" by Ben Hecht, a special issue of the Chicago Daily News honoring Smith, and other mementos are also included in his papers. The correspondence includes single letters from Sherwood Anderson, Vincent Starrett, Carroll Binder (re: life as a foreign correspondent) and others. In 2008 there was an addition of a scrapbook containing letters and accolades for Smith's "It's the Way It's Written," materials by and concerning Ben Hecht, family snapshots, a portrait of Smith, and contracts and clippings relating to Smith's own works.