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: January 25, 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
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: Cash and Property Accounts, Finance
Format: Letters/Correspondence
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
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 23, 1880 - March 2, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt informs A. O. Hyde that his son-in-law Lieutenant George LeRoy Brown has been using leave of absence from his post in Dakota to serve as the disciplinarian for the male students at the Carlisle Indian School but will have to return soon. As Pratt thinks this would be a monumental loss for the school, he informs Hyde that he'd like to secure temporary, and eventually permanent, authority for Brown to stay at the school and asks Hyde to write a letter recommending this authority to the newly appointed Commissioner of Indian Affairs, R. E. Trowbridge. Hyde forwards and endorses Pratt's letter to Trowbridge. Charles T. Gorham encloses and endorses both Pratt and Hyde's letters to Trowbridge.
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
Date: February 23, 1880
By command of Brigadier-General Pope, Assistant Adjutant-General E. R. Platt orders that two Lipan Apache children at Fort Hays, Kansas be sent to the Carlisle Indian School.
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: Recruitment of Students
Format: Legal and Government Documents
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
Date: February 25, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests a quick reply to his telegram of February 23, requesting permission to send Alfred John Standing to the Comanche Agency to recruit students.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
Date: February 27, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt telegrams Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Edwin J. Brooks, informing him that a group of Iowa and Sac & Fox children arrived safely and will be held as directed.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Arrival
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Notice of Arrival of Iowa and Sac & Fox Students
Date: February 27, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt suggests to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that Alfred J. Standing's experience and reputation at the Kiowa and Comanche Agency will help him select suitable students there. Pratt also suggests that this recruitment should be done according to his recent suggests regarding enrollment.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Alfred J. Standing Recruitment In Kiowa and Comanche Agency
Date: February 28, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that medicine transferred from the War Department is not needed at Carlisle, as his homeopathic physician will supply his own. Pratt suggests that the medicines be sent elsewhere.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Transfer of Medicine from Carlisle Barracks
Date: March 2, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, requesting that he petition the War Department to detail George LeR. Brown to service at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt states that Brown had served at Carlisle during his leave of absence from the Army, and that Brown showed potential in helping efficiently manage the school.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Staff Employment
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Detail George LeR. Brown to Carlisle
Date: March 2, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests to spend $50 to subscribe to periodicals and newspapers so that he and his assistants can stay informed.
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
View Document: Request for Funds to Subscribe to Newspapers
Date: March 3, 1880
Commissioner of Indian Affairs William G. LeDue informs Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz that Richard Henry Pratt's request for garden seeds has been filled.
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, School Farm, Agriculture
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Fulfillment of Request for Garden Seeds
Date: March 3, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, stating that he is in Washington on an emergency trip to look after the best interests of the school. Pratt notes that the Congressional bill about the founding of the school is currently under debate, and requests permission to continue staying in Washington.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: American politics, Travel
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Permission for Emergency Trip to Washington
Date: March 6, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt recommends George LeR. Brown as a recruiter for the Carlisle Indian School among the agencies in Colorado and New Mexico. Pratt suggests that the assignment is difficult, and that Brown is the only person he trusts for the job.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Recommendations for Recruiter in Colorado and New Mexico
Date: March 8, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests funds to develop the industrial and mechanical training programs at the school. Specifically, Pratt hopes to establish a harness-making program and to expand the blacksmithing, wagon-making, carpentry, shoemaking, and tinsmithing departments. Pratt notes that this issue is already before the Secretary of the Interior, who just visited the school.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Industrial Training, Education, Visitors
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Funds for Industrial Training
Date: March 8, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to sell two old mules, transferred from the War Department, and to purchase two farm horses.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Agriculture, School Farm
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Sell Mules and Purchase Farm Horses
Date: March 8, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to purchase seeds on the open market.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Agriculture, Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Seed Purchase Request
Date: March 9, 1880
Richard Henry Pratt requests permission from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to immediately purchase school supplies on the open market. Pratt notes that these supplies were not provided when requested from the Department, and that a recent increase in pupils necessitates their purchase.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Supplies and Materials
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request to Purchase School Supplies on Open Market