Chemawa Indian School

The first page opened with a poem titled “IT PAYS," followed by a piece called "THANKSGIVING!" that reminded readers to be thankful. Next came "REV MR. WILSON EXPLAINS HIS 'MONKEY ADDRESS,'" which was a letter to the Editor from Edward Wilson from Darlington, Indian Territory dated Nov. 13, 1888. Page two began with "NOTES FROM OUR FRIDAY NIGHT…

Lieutenant Melville C. Wilkinson requests to temporarily engage in "Indian educational work" in Oregon, and Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell forwards and endorses Wilkinson's request to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and the Secretary of War. In his telegraph to the Secretary of War, Bell states that Wilkinson's work will be similar…

Secretary of War George W. McCrary informs Assistant Secretary of the Interior A. Bell that he does not have authority to allow Lieutenant Melville C. Wilkinson to engage in Indian education as Richard Henry Pratt is already in that line of work. Instead, Wilkinson will be sent to a college in Oregon where certain Indian youth can be sent.…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a letter from Stella M. Cannon, teacher at the Chemawa Indian School, requesting that two students be enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he can arrange the transfer of the two students in order to have them continue their education at a higher level.

Richard Henry Pratt informs W. N. Hailmann that he is satisfied with Ella Watts and is willing to have her transferred to Carlisle as an assistant teacher.

W. N. Hailmann recommends the Office of Indian Affairs authorize the Hoopa Valley Agent to transfer to the Carlisle Indian School four students.

Richard Henry Pratt informs W. N. Hailmann of his recommendation to T. W. Potter, Superintendent of the Chemawa School, of former students Josiah George and Elizabeth Wind for a position of band leader and industrial teacher and nurse. He had also mentioned them as candidates to the superintendent of the Albuquerque School. 

Thomas W. Potter, Superintendent of the Chemawa Indian School, praises the actions taken against Richard Henry Pratt and containing the publications from the Carlisle Indian School.

Alfred John Standing responds to requests from two local citizens that former student William Lone Wolf  be returned to his home in Oklahoma after sustaining injuries while working in Erie, Pennsylvania.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that Roma Ewbank prefers an immediate transfer as an assistant matron to Cherokee Indian School unless there was an immediate vacancy at the Chemawa Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt requests the Office of Indian Affairs order the Siletz U. S. Indian Agent to have money paid to Robert Depoe paid to him in order to cover a loan Pratt provided to fund Depoe's return. Pratt encloses correspondence in order to provide context to his request.

Richard Henry Pratt requests to enroll Robert Depoe in order to allow him to attend the Carlisle High School as well as participate as a member of the band during the possible visit to Paris.

Rev. Jesse Kirk provides information related to difficulties in sending students from the Klamath Agency to the Carlisle Indian School.

Jessie W. Cook requests from Estelle Reel a promotion to principal teacher at Chemawa or another Western School. Cook writes that she wants to introduce the outing system at the Riverside School if that position becomes available.

Richard Henry Pratt replies to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the transfer of Malcolm and Kittie Odell to the Pottawatomie School. Pratt also informs the Office that Dr. Clark of the Chemawa School has declined his transfer to the Carlisle Indian School.

Duncan D. McArthur, Superintendent and Special Disbursing Agent, informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs provides further information on the money owed to Richard Henry Pratt by Robert Depoe. McArthur notes that the money owed to Depoe from the Siletz General Fund cannot be guaranteed to pay back Pratt and that the matter should be referred…

Richard Henry Pratt replies to an Office of Indian Affairs Circular No. 54 regarding transferring pupils to non-reservation schools. Pratt also encloses a letter from Edgar A. Allen on the same subject.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a letter from John Allen requesting assistance in obtaining a promotion from his current position as assistant disciplinarian at Chemawa. Pratt provides information on Allen's time at Carlisle.

Correspondence regarding the enrollment of Mary, Hiram, Lewis, and Thomas Runnels at the Carlisle Indian School. Albert M. Anderson, U.S. Indian Agent for the Colville Agency, complains that the Runnels were transferred to Carlisle without his consent and as such has undermined his authority.

Edgar A. Allen responds to the request of Moses W. Raub to be returned home from the Carlisle Indian School.

Note: The student referred to here as Joseph LaFramboise is also known as Joseph La Flumboise.

W. S. Bannerman, Minister of the Presbyterian Churches of Sitka, requests to enroll Georgie A. Cook at the Chemawa Indian School.

William A. Mercer responds to an Office of Indian Affairs inquiry into his assistance in helping Maggie Mandrigan, a former student who had become pregnant, to travel to Oregon. 

Annebuck writes about her school experiences at the Chemawa Indian School. She notes that the girls basketball team was recently defeated but that she had a nice Christmas. In addition, she writes about the differences between Chemawa and Carlisle as well as the differences in weather between Chemawa and her home in Alaska.

Note: The…

Annebuck replies to Fannie Peter with an update on her experiences as a teacher in Deering, Alaska with a focus on her students and the weather. Annebuck describes her pay along with the costs associated with boarding with the missionaries and her travel costs to Chemawa. Also included are updates on various individuals associated with the…

Anna Buck provides an update on her school days at the Chemawa Indian School to Fannie Peter. Buck indicates that she is currently in the Junior Class but that she wants to return soon to Alaska to become a teacher. She also provides some updates on her family and individuals connected to Carlisle who have recently visited.