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 15, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt requests a six-month supply of two dozen different blank administrative forms used by the United States Indian Affairs division of the Department of the Interior.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Legal and Government Documents
View Document: 
Estimate for Stationary, December 1879
Date: December 17, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt forwards a series of financial papers for the quarter ending September 30, 1879
Note the papers are not attached.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Cash and Property Accounts
View Document: Financial Papers, First Quarter 1880
Date: December 18, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt requests a six-month supply of various blank administrative forms used by the United States Indian Affairs division of the Department of the Interior.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Legal and Government Documents
View Document: Requisition for Blanks and Blank Books, December 1879
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 custom-fitted suits are being made for all male students.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Pratt Won't Screen Students' Letters Home
Date: December 22, 1879
Richard H. Pratt acknowledges receipt of five crusts of vaccine virus.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Medical Care Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Acknowledgement of Receipt of Five Crusts of Vaccine Virus
Date: December 22, 1879
Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz grants permission for Captain Richard H. Pratt to spend $100 on taking photographs of Carlisle Indian School buildings and students to send to the students' parents.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Permission to Photograph Buildings and Students for Parents
Date: December 23, 1879
Richard H. Pratt transmits a "Special" Estimate for Stationary form for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
View Document: Special Estimate for Stationary, December 1879
Date: December 24, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that the construction of the chapel and assembly room is completed and will be where the school holds its Christmas celebration. Pratt accepts the building as a gift from the Department of the Interior and invites Hayt to join them for the holiday.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Health
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Completion of the School Chapel
Date: December 27, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that Dr. J. J. Bender's temporary employment "has proven acceptable" and requests to permanently hire him for $700 per year .
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Permanently Hire Dr. J. J. Bender
Date: December 29, 1879 - January 3, 1880
R. L. Sibbet, a citizen of Carlisle, asks why the Carlisle Indian School is employing a homeopathic physician instead of a doctor that practices "rational medicine."
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Medical Care Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
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
Topics: Student Health, Finance
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 2, 1880
Comptroller W. W. Lipton refers to an account in favor of the War Department for $630.78 for medical and hospital supplies transferred to the Interior Department as part of the transfer of the Carlisle Barracks from the War to Interior to establish the Carlisle Indian School. Lipton states that he has no evidence that the transfer of medical supplies has been made and requests the original receipt for them.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
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: School Employees
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 and industrial training.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: School Farms
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Telegram Requesting Trip to Washington Regarding Farm
Date: January 8-10, 1880
Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt sends Lieutenant Richard H. Pratt a six-month supply of two dozen different blank administrative forms used by the United States Indian Affairs division of the Department of the Interior. Pratt acknowledges the receipt of the stationary.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Legal and Government Documents
View Document: Invoice for Stationary
Date: January 10, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt reports that the Rosebud delegation that visited Carlisle consumed 1,103 pounds of beef during their visit.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
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 return home of the former Ft. Marion prisoners, who had gone to Hampton and then Carlisle following their release. Pratt notes that they have been very helpful both at Carlisle and in general in generating good will among their people, and that sending them home will enable them to continue to help civilize their people. Because of their service and to assist them in providing good examples, Pratt requests funding to provide for their transportation home and to outfit them with basic agricultural equipment.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Sending Former Ft. Marion Prisoners Home
Date: January 12, 1880
Lieutenant Richard H. Pratt acknowledges receipt of 24 dozen bottles of ink and one box by Adams Express.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Financial Documents
View Document: Invoice for Shipment of Ink Bottles
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. The coffin would have been for student 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:
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: January 23, 1880
J. A. Moore, Principal of the Soldiers' Orphan School of Cumberland County, writes to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz regarding the possibility of sending Indian students to his school or one of the other soldiers' orphan schools in Pennsylvania. Moore informs Schurz that his school is near the Carlisle Indian School, and he recognizes how difficult it is to teach large numbers of Indian students at the school. Moore believes that the students would find similar success levels at a soldiers' orphan school as at Carlisle, and he refers Schurz to State Superintendent of Soldiers' Orphans Schools J. P. Wickershaw.
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."
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Local Schools
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Offer to Teach Indian Students at a Soldiers' Orphans School
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 more donations will soon fund the purchase of a better printing press, and discusses other topics including new student uniforms and the possible purchase of farmland. Regarding future students he states that he would prefer more girls than boys, not over the age of sixteen, and that ten is not too young.
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: Copy of First School Newspaper and Report of School Progress
Date: January 31, 1880
Two duplicate copies of the monthly school 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: Monthly School Report for January 1880