A. J. Standing's Report from his Trip to Indian Territory

Date
April 5, 1880

Richard Henry Pratt forwards to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs A. J. Standing's report on his trip to Indian Territory in March 1880. Standing left on March 2nd accompanied by Pauskie (Comanche), White Bear and Cohoe (Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency), and Tonekeuh (Kiowa and Comanche Agency). Standing learned that Pauskie had already been married when her agent sent her to Carlisle, so he left her with her family. In reference to an order to recruit 10 students from the Kiowa and Comanche Agency, Standing states that, though the Kiowa and Comanche were friendly to him and trusting of the government, some people did not want to send their children to the Carlisle Indian School for a variety of reasons: the terms are too long, they want their chiefs to visit the school first, and they might not ever see them again because it is so far away. Despite this, Standing was able to secure 10 students from other parents and chiefs that were more enthusiastic about the school. Standing also remarks that most of the objections come from parents, while generally children had a "general desire" to attend the school. In sum, Standing believes that the Carlisle Indian School "supplies a want" for "the more intelligent of all the tribes" and recommends that representatives from the Kiowa, Wichita, and Caddo nations be allowed to visit the school in the coming months.

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."

Time Period
Year
Repository
National Archives and Records Administration
Location
RG 75, M234, roll 485, frames 880-885
A. J. Standing's Report from his Trip to Indian Territory