As is usual with people who are called upon to give many speeches, Governor Bottolfsen used the same stories and quotations over and over again. Among his favorite quotes, especially during the years 1940-1945 was the last stanza of John McCrae's poem "In Flander's Field."

Speeches were given to schools, Chambers of Commerce, and service organizations such as Elks, Lions, Orders of Eastern Star and Masons. He was also called upon to deliver memorial addresses for local men who were killed in the war.

Many of the political speeches are 1944 Senatorial campaign speeches, and include copies of several speeches in favor of Bottolfsen's opponent in that campaign, Glen Taylor. There is also a series of the Governor's "Reports to the People of Idaho" which were broadcast at irregular intervals. (It will be noted that Bottolfsen became confused in his numbering of these talks.)

Similar speeches were often housed in multiple locations. Some speech folders also contain articles or correspondence, which is noted in the finding aid. The original order of the finding aid listed the speeches chronologically, regardless of which folder or box it could be found.