Documents
The Documents section features digitized copies of documents relating to the history of the school. These documents include correspondence, graduation pamphlets, and other forms of ephemera, and have been digitized by Digital Resource Center staff. Today, these documents are preserved in a number of locations, including the Dickinson College Archives and Special Collections as well as private collections.
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Date: February 24, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs regarding a desire by the Secretary of the Interior to increase enrollment at Carlisle. Pratt suggests that a number of new rules be adopted regarding students' ages, gender ratio, and health. Pratt also suggests that the children of chiefs and headmen be preferred, to ensure good behavior among parents.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: 
Richard H. Pratt Recommendations for School Enrollment Rules
Date: February 25, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt submits invoices regarding the transfer of property and supplies at the Carlisle Barracks to the Department of the Interior. Pratt notes that these files were overlooked when others were transferred previously.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: February 25, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests a quick reply to his telegram of February 23, requesting permission to send Alfred John Standing to the Comanche Agency to recruit students.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: February 27, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt telegrams Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Edwin J. Brooks, informing him that a group of Iowa and Sac & Fox children arrived safely and will be held as directed.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Arrival
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Notice of Arrival of Iowa and Sac & Fox Students
Date: February 27, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt suggests to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that Alfred J. Standing's experience and reputation at the Kiowa and Comanche Agency will help him select suitable students there. Pratt also suggests that this recruitment should be done according to his recent suggests regarding enrollment.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Alfred J. Standing Recruitment In Kiowa and Comanche Agency
Date: February 28, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that medicine transferred from the War Department is not needed at Carlisle, as his homeopathic physician will supply his own. Pratt suggests that the medicines be sent elsewhere.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Transfer of Medicine from Carlisle Barracks
Date: March 2, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, requesting that he petition the War Department to detail George LeR. Brown to service at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt states that Brown had served at Carlisle during his leave of absense from the Army, and that Brown showed potential in helping efficiently manage the school.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Staff Employment
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Detail George LeR. Brown to Carlisle
Date: March 3, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, stating that he is in Washington on an emergency trip to look after the best interests of the school. Pratt notes that the Congressional bill about the founding of the school is currently under debate, and requests permission to continue staying in Washington.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: American politics
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Permission for Emergency Trip to Washington
Date: March 6, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt recommends George LeR. Brown as a recruiter for the Carlisle Indian School among the agencies in Colorado and New Mexico. Pratt suggests that the assignment is difficult, and that Brown is the only person he trusts for the job.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students, Staff Employment
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Recommendations for Recruiter in Colorado and New Mexico
Date: March 8, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests funds to develop the industrial and mechanical training programs at the school. Specifically, Pratt hopes to establish a harness-making program and to expand the blacksmithing, wagon-making, carpentry, shoemaking, and tinsmithing departments. Pratt notes that this issue is already before the Secretary of the Interior, who just visited the school.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Industrial Training, Education
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Funds for Industrial Training
Date: March 8, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to sell two old mules, transferred from the War Department, and to purchase two farm horses.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Agriculture, School Farm
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Sell Mules and Purchase Farm Horses
Date: March 8, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to purchase seeds on the open market.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Agriculture, Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Seed Purchase Request
Date: March 9, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests permission from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to immediately purchase school supplies on the open market. Pratt notes that these supplies were not provided when requested from the Department, and that a recent increase in pupils necessitates their purchase.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Purchase School Supplies on Open Market
Date: March 12, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt suggests to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that constructing a boiler for heating would be more efficient and less laborious for students. Pratt suggests that students could be paid as apprentices to construct the building, but that the high cost of the boiler itself may necessitate a special appropriation from Congress.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Buildings and Grounds
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Suggestion to Build Heating Boiler
Date: March 13, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that the approved expenditure for coal for the first quarter of 1880 did not meet the school's needs. Pratt requests funds to purchase additional coal for the first quarter, and refers to a previous letter on the subject.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
View Document: Additional Coal Purchase for First Quarter 1880
Date: March 13, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests additional money for postage of student letters from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Pratt states that letter-writing increases student moral and supports the school's reputation among their families and tribes.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Additional Student Postage Allowance
Date: March 13, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests funds for the renovation of the mess hall, kitchen, and laundry. Pratt notes that the school's increasing student population necessitates these renovations, and describes which buildings will be added and renovated.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Buildings and Grounds
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Funds for Kitchen and Laundry Renovations
Date: March 13, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt submits a "Special" Estimate of Funds form amounting to $3,075.25 for areas covering employee salary, clothing, water, coal, and chapel.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Estimate of Funds, Supplies and Materials
View Document: Special Estimate of Funds, First Quarter 1880
Date: March 16, 1880
Based on a discussion with the Secretary of the Interior and the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Richard Henry Pratt requests funds for the purchase of 110 sets of dormitory furniture on the open market.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Funds for Dormitory Furniture
Date: March 16, 1880
Estimate of funds for the second quarter of 1880 amounting to $11,350 for areas covering subsistence, employee pay, repairs, clothing, mechanical industries, supplies, and contingencies.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Estimate of Funds, Supplies and Materials
View Document: Estimate of Funds, Second Quarter 1880
Date: March 19, 1880
Dr. J. S. Bender notifies Richard Henry Pratt of the death of Henry Jones, a member of the Iowa Nation, due to advanced endocarditis. Dr. Bender notes that a post-mortem examination was performed alongside local physician Dr. J. R. Bixler. Pratt forwards this notice to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Death, Health and Medicine
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Notice of Death of Henry Jones
Date: April 1, 1880 - June 21, 1883
Richard Henry Pratt provides a copy of the Description of Party brought to the Carlisle Indian School by A. J. Standing on April 1, 1880.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Enrollment Lists
Format: Letters/Correspondence, Reports
Date: April 3, 1880
Richard H. Pratt asks that the funds requested in his special estimate of funds for the first quarter of 1880 be sent immediately.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Estimate of Funds
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: May 1880
Lieutenant Richard H. Pratt lists the cash and property accounts for the quarter ending March 31, 1880 and forwards them to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Cash and Property Accounts, Finance
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Cash and Property Accounts, March 1880
Date: May 6, 1880
Richard H. Pratt asks the Commissioner of Indian Affairs if he can visit him in Washington, D. C. to discuss the Carlisle Indian School.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in Record Group 75, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Travel
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Pratt's Request to Visit Washington, D. C.