WIU houses late Illinois Congressman Railsback's papers

Archivists at the Western Illinois University are combing through the official papers of the late Illinois Republican Congressman Thomas Railsback.

University officials say Railsback first donated a portion his papers to the Macomb campus in 1977 when he was still in office. The rest of the papers were transferred after he left office in 1983.

He died last month in Arizona at age 87.

Railsback, a Moline native, served eight terms and helped draw up articles of impeachment against President Richard Nixon.

Library officials say the collection contains his correspondence, from letters to his personal diary, which officials said was not to be made public until his death. Other papers include news releases, memorandums and personal notes, according to a description of the collection released by the university.

University officials say the collection of papers cover issues from Watergate to the Vietnam War.