The collection contents include correspondence written to and from Governor Carney.

Thomas A. Carney, 1824-1888, served as the second governor of the state of Kansas, and subsequently as the mayor of Leavenworth. The papers also include those of family members, especially his wife Rebecca Ann Canaday Carney. Their five sons were Edwin LeRoy, William Ware, Harry Canaday, Charles Thomas, and Frankie (died in infancy). There is correspondence, newspaper articles, mining certificates, land documents, speeches, and political memorabilia of the time.