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: November 7, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt that, at the request of Hampton Institute director General Samuel Armstrong, six Sisseton Sioux children and two Menominee boys from Green Bay, Wisconsin will be retained at Carlisle. Their addition increases the school's population to 158.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: 
Retaining Sisseton Sioux and Menominee Students at Carlisle
Date: November 7, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt regarding the quality of clothing provided to Carlisle Indian School students. Pratt complains that the partial order of clothing he received from the Bureau is not durable or warm enough, and leaves students uncomfortable and discontent. Pratt requests that he be provided with the funds to replace the garmants, and permission to purchase the clothing on the public market.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Complaint Regarding Quality of Student Clothing
Date: November 12, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt acknowledges receipt of numerous boxes of clothing and other supplies, including and organ for the chapel.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Acknowledgement of Received Supplies
Date: November 13, 1879
Captain Richard Henry Pratt writes to Ezra H. Hayt, Commissioner of Indian Affairs, regarding the first group of Sioux, Ponca, Pawnee, Kiowa, Comanche, Wichita, Seminole, Cheyenne, and Arapahoe children and young adults brought to the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt offers a detailed description of the journey, and then lists each individual brought to the school, organized by agency. Also included is information on each individual's name, age, gender, band, father's name, and father's rank.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence, Reports
Date: November 17, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt forwards to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs a letter, penned by James E. Rhodes of Germantown, Pennsylvania. Rhodes asks if the son of one of his Seneca friends, John Kennedy, might be allowed to enroll at Carlisle. Pratt notes that he is willing to accept the boy, if the Commissioner approves.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Enroll Seneca Student
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