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: December 19, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, responding to a forwarded letter from Major Pollock of the Rosebud Agency. Pratt argues against screening students' letters home, suggesting that it would harm the government's relationship with their parents and chiefs. Pratt also addresses students' written complaints about clothing, noting that new standardized garmants are being made for all students.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Censorship
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: 
Expression Against Screening Student Mail
Date: December 30, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes two letters to officials at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, inquiring why needed funds for the construction of the chapel have not been provided. In the first letter, to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, Pratt notes that he has borrowed money to fill the financial gap. In the second letter, to Edwin J. Brooks, Pratt complains that his numerous official letters still go unanswered. Pratt also notes that the school is ready to be inspected, that the sick list is trivial, and that students are happy.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
View Document: Urgent Requests for Funds for Chapel
Date: January 1, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt acknowledges receipt of a Milburn wagon. A note indicates that this is a copy of the original receipt.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Receipt for Milburn Wagon
Date: January 4, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt forwards to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs a letter from Olive Roberts, requesting employment as a teacher at the Carlisle Indian School. Roberts states that they previously ran the Crow Creek boarding school in Dakota. Pratt requests more information about Roberts, and notes that many of his teachers are giving up because of the hard work of educating Carlisle's students.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Staff Employment
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Employment Application for Olive Roberts as Teacher
Date: January 5, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt telegrams the Commissioner of Indian Affairs asking for permission to come to Washington that day to discuss school matters, including a farm.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Telegram Requesting Trip to Washington Regarding Farm
Date: January 10, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt reports that the Rosebud delegation that visited Carlisle consumed 1103 pounds of beef during their visit.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Report of Beef Consumed by Rosebud Delegation
Date: January 12, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt suggesting the release of former prisoners jailed by Pratt at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida. A delegation of the former prisoners had helped Pratt establish the Carlisle Indian School after their release from Fort Marion. Pratt suggested that, by releasing them and providing them with agricultural equipment, the former prisoners could continue to help civilize their people.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Plan for Release of Former Florida Prisoners
Date: January 15, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, requesting permission to purchase the listed supplies for the school. Some of the supplies had already been purchased for immediate use. The request includes construction materials, repairs to buildings and the ambulance, books, scientific and medical supplies, industrial equipment, and a coffin for Amos LaFramboise (Sioux).
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
View Document: List of Supplies to Purchase
Date: January 20, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt reports that he was forced to purchase coal on the open market, above his pre-approved limit, due to a shortage for the first quarter of 1880.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
View Document: Necessary Coal Purchase for First Quarter 1880
Date: January 23, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests an order to travel to Washington from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt. Pratt notes that he was requested to appear before the House Committee on Indian Affairs.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: American politics
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: January 27, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt forwards to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt a copy of the first issue of Eadle Keatah Toh, the first newspaper published at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that charitable giving will fund the purchase of a better printing press, and discusses other topics including student health and behavior, uniforms, recruiting efforts, and the possible purchase of farmland.
The newspaper enclosed in this letter is included in this document, and is also posted in the Publications section of the website.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
View Document: First Copy of School Newspaper and Report of School Progress
Date: January 31, 1880
Two duplicate copies of the monthly report for January, 1880, submitted by the Carlisle Indian Training School to the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The report includes a list of employees, a count of students by Nation/Tribe, descriptions of the educational program, and Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt's remarks about developments and events at the school over the month.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Reports
View Document: Report for the Month of January 1880
Date: February 10, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests an immediate transfer of funds to cover debts from the fourth quarter of 1879.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
View Document: Request for Funds Settling Debts for Fourth Quarter 1879
Date: February 16, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt forwards his cash and property accounts for the fourth quarter of 1879 to Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Edwin J. Brooks.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics:
Format: Financial Documents
View Document: Forwarded Cash and Property Accounts for Fourth Quarter 1879
Date: February 16, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt acknowledges receipt of a spring wagon from Toledo, Ohio.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Receipt for Spring Wagon
Date: February 18, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt submits his return of medical property and transfer of hospital supplies for the fourth quarter of 1879.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: February 23, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt reports on the buildings, grounds, industrial curriculum, and overall aims of the Carlisle Indian Training School. The report includes descriptions of building sizes and purposes, industrial capabilities, and the efforts then underway to establish Congressional approval for the school's continuation. Also included are numerous pictures of buildings; these images are among the earliest photographs of the campus as it appeared when the school first opened. A transcription of the handwritten letter is included.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Buildings and Grounds
Format: Photographs, Reports
Date: February 23, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt telegrams the Commissioner of Indian Affairs asking for permission to send Alfred John Standing to the Comanche Agency to recruit students. Pratt also asks if the former Florida prisoners can be sent back.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Travel Request for Alfred John Standing to Comanche Agency
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: Student Recruitment
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: Student Recruitment
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