1880-1889

Correspondence discussing the appropriation of $37,500 for improvements to the Carlisle Indian School including the acquisition of the neighboring Parker farm, a new large boys’ dormitory, a school barn, and some other improvements.  A letter from Pratt explaining the need for the new facilities is included as part of the document.

First Lieutenant Stephen C. Mills, the officer in charge of the Chiricahua Indian Prisoners at Fort Marion, Florida recommends sending Bonito, a student at the Carlisle Indian School and a member of the Apache Nation, to Fort Marion to discuss the benefits of sending their children to Carlisle or another Indian Training School.

Captain Richard H. Pratt provides the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with a list of irregular labor required for July 1886. Pratt also includes details on compensation, position title, and the number of workdays required for the month.

Clinton B. Fisk, Chairman of the Board of Indian Commissioners, provides his inspection of the Carlisle Indian School to John D. C. Atkins. In particular, Fisk suggests purchasing the Parker farm, building a large barn, and building a large new dormitory building for the boys. Fisk additionally adds that with these improvements further…

Captain Richard H. Pratt provides the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with additional information in regard to required labor needed for July 1886. Pratt inadvertently omitted the need for a music instructor from the list sent previously on June 21, 1886. 

Mauricio Martin requests the return of his son Lorenzo Martinez (here referred to as Lorenzo Martin) for the vacation due to his mother's ill health. Martin states that she does not believe the letters and photographs Lorenzo sends home.

Richard Henry Pratt responds that Martinez is doing well at the Carlisle Indian School and does not…

Richard Henry Pratt requests transportation to send Joseph Hamilton, a member of the Omaha Nation, from Carlisle to Bancroft, Nebraska.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards transportation requests covering students and employees over the Union Pacific and the Sioux City & Pacific railroads which were disallowed to the Secretary of the Interior.

Richard Henry Pratt submits a voucher to the Office of Indian Affairs for expenses related to arresting and returning the two students who had run away from the Carlisle Indian School and were apprehended at Gallitzin, Pennsylvania.

Richard Henry Pratt submits eight photographs to the Office of Indian Affairs. Pratt mentions that four photos were of the three spring and four of the platform spring.

Estimate of funds for the third quarter of 1886 amounting to $17,155.40 for support of the school and for transportation of Indian supplies. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $6,652.50 for regular employee pay. 

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to keep Miss Hyde on the regular employee roll to continue in her role while alterations are made to the girls quarters. In addition, Pratt requests authority to pay for an irregular employee to visit outing pupils and to hire an additional clerk.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to renew the lease on the Hocker Farm. Pratt provides the justification for the lease by claiming that the lease goes to support the charity fund which in turn is used to rent additional farmland including the Henderson and Sanno Farms. Pratt ends by stating that until the Parker Farm is purchased by the…

Charles E. Montieth, Farmer in Charge of the Nez Perce Agency, recommends that two or three Nez Perce students currently at the Carlisle Indian School whose terms of enrollment are about to expire travel with Montieth's replacement from the East.

Captain Richard H. Pratt provides the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with a list of irregular labor required for August 1886. Pratt also includes details on compensation, position title, and the number of workdays required for the month.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to pay for the transportation of Harriet Mary, a member of the Nez Perce Nation, whose term of enrollment has expired and whose mother is requesting her return home. Pratt notes that the Nez Perce agent Charles E. Montieth recommends the new agent for the Nez Perce Agency accompany her on her trip home.…

Richard Henry Pratt informs A. B. Upshaw that he has already filled the last remaining teaching vacancy at the Carlisle Indian School.

Isaac H. Maynard, Second Comptroller, requests written evidence of the renewal of the lease of the Hocker Farm for the benefit of the Carlisle Indian School be filed with his office.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to a letter from the Office of Indian Affairs regarding Nez Perce students at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that four students came to Carlisle in 1880 and two in 1883. Of those students who came in 1880 the boys are orphans and are desirous of staying at Carlisle with one hoping to college.

Pratt…

Richard Henry Pratt writes regarding a request from Lieutenant Heistand of the 11 Infantry of an orphaned Sioux girl who his family taken in. Because of his posting on a military base he has been unable to enroll the girl in a school and so requests for her to be enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School.

School Statistics Accompanying the Annual Report for the 1886 Fiscal Year.

Charles H. Potter, the U.S. Indian Agent for the Omaha and Winnebago Agency, forwards a list of names for appointment to the Industrial Boarding School at the Winnebago Agency.

Voucher to cover expenses in the return of three run away students located and arrested in Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.

Richard Henry Pratt follows up with the Office of Indian Affairs regarding the transportation for Wasu Ricker from Mandan, North Dakota to Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Isaac H. Maynard replies to the request of John D. C. Atkins transmits a contract between James Andrew McCauley, Robert M. Henderson, and Richard Henry Pratt for the lease of the Hocker Farm.