Letters/Correspondence

Correspondence related to claims from parents on the Cattaraugus Reservation of children at the Carlisle Indian School related to the return of their children. A. W. Ferrin, U.S. Indian Agent for New York Indians, relative to their claims from their children that they do not receive enough food to eat. Richard Henry Pratt suggests that these…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to a request from Betsy White for the return of her grandson Ely S. Parker from the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he has made an inspection of the kitchen and dining room and interviewed students and found no complaints among the students. He also provides the weight of the students from the Seneca Nation…

Adela Rankin writes to Theodore Roosevelt (serving on the Civil Service Commission at that time) in regards to claims of abuse of students at the Carlisle Indian School. As a result of her attempting to bring these claims to light, she was dismissed by Pratt from her temporary position teaching elocution and oratory. Transcript included.

C. R. Dixon, the school physician, compiles the monthly sanitary report for November 1892.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding a request by Alfred Laravie (here Alfred Larave). Pratt notes that Alfred is a brother of Perry Laravie whom Pratt had corresponded previously about in terms of granting leave to return home. As Alfred also paid his way to Carlisle and is currently on outing, Pratt…

Captain Richard H. Pratt requests a supply of two dozen different blank administrative forms used by the United States Indian Affairs division of the Department of the Interior.

Captain Richard H. Pratt submits a report that lists irregular employees who worked at the school during November 1892. The report includes details on compensation, position titles, race, and the number of days worked during that month.

Mary M. Kennedy provides Thomas J. Morgan two letters regarding claims made by students at Carlisle regarding their punishment over complaints that they are not receiving enough food to eat. She further states that Richard Henry Pratt punishes students when he hears they have written home complaining and to not show the letters to him.

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Richard Henry Pratt requests clarification from the Office of Indian Affairs regarding annual leave of teachers during the Christmas recess.

Richard Henry Pratt sends a letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs requesting 100 blank request for leave of absence applications and 200 reports of employees in service forms. 

Richard Henry Pratt responds to letter from Fanny W. Noble asking why she was asked to resign as a cook at the Carlisle Indian School after eight years of service.

Richard Henry Pratt sends a letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs advising him that Helen Lord, the assistant superintendent of the sewing room, can be spared the dates for which she requested a leave of absence. 

Richard Henry Pratt forwards Helen Lord's request for leave of absence. Lord works as an assistant superintendent for the sewing room.

Morgan Toprock requests from Thomas J. Morgan permission to attend school all day. Toprock notes that his request to Richard Henry Pratt was turned down. If he cannot attend full day school then he asks to return home after Christmas.

Paul Martin requests assistance from Thomas J. Morgan in locating his son, James Martin, who had runaway from the Carlisle Indian School. Martin encloses a letter from Richard Henry Pratt detailing the circumstances before James left Carlisle.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to Office of Indian Affairs circular advising that Carlisle had a total average of 756 students in October 1892 with 553 at Carlisle and 202 on outing. In November the numbers were 758 total with 543 at campus and 215 on outing. In December the numbers were 760 total with 549 at campus and 210 on outing.

Cornelia A. Merritt inquires from Thomas J. Morgan why teachers at the Carlisle Indian School are not permitted a holiday break from teaching.

Request by Richard Henry Pratt to spend an additional $2000 on the transportation of students to and from the school.

James Williams requests the return of his daughter Julia Williams from the Carlisle Indian School and to finish her term of enrollment at the Mt. Pleasant Government school. In addition, he requests that his other daughter be allowed to enroll at Mt. Pleasant.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to the request of Morgan Toprock forwarded by the Office of Indian Affairs to attend school for the entire day. Pratt notes that based on recommendations from Toprock's teachers it is not advisable to accommodate his request and that a note from the Office to make better use of his current opportunities would be…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards letter of Levi Levering in regards to the return of his relative Louis (here Lewis) Levering. Both Pratt and Levering believe that a return by Lewis to his home would be disastrous and that he should remain at Carlisle. Pratt writes that Lewis would likely remain if he has a little encouragement.

C. R. Dixon, the school physician, compiles the monthly sanitary report for December 1892. Dixon also includes a note summarizing health conditions of 1892 in the "Remarks and Physician's Special Report" section.

Mary M. Kennedy requests the return of her granddaughter from the Carlisle Indian School. Kennedy notes that the students like the school but they do not have enough to eat and that the students are sick despite Richard Henry Pratt claiming otherwise. Kennedy further states that her granddaughter is homesick because Pratt is scolding the New…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to purchase a No. 3 "Eclipse" Press for the printing office. Pratt notes that previously all of the equipment for the office was purchased by the charity fund of the school.

Richard H. Pratt compiles a list of worn out, broken, or unserviceable property at the Carlisle Indian School and requests that a Board of Survey do the same.