Mimeographed copy of a typewritten autobiography. Zane writes about his early life as a student and as a lawyer in Springfield, Illinois. He tells about his personal acquaintance with Abraham Lincoln and about hearing Lincoln give formal speeches on several occasions. Zane was appointed a federal judge in 1884 for the territory of Utah and writes about presiding over a number of important cases relating to polygamy in Utah. He later practiced law in Utah.

Original journal kept during his imprisonment at the Utah Territorial Prison, dealing with prison life and activities. Individuals mentioned in the journal include Legrand Young, Charles Zane, George Q. Cannon and others. An accompanying typescript of the journal, prepared by Glenda Breslin in 1995, includes photocopies of legal documents concerning Tovey's case. The typescript also includes a name index.