Letters/Correspondence

Byron M. Cutcheon, Congressman from Michigan, responds to a letter from the Office of Indian Affairs regarding 50 pupils from Michigan to be enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School. Cutcheon recommends the office communicate with a former U.S. Indian Agent and Frank W. Wheeler, another Congressman from Michigan.

R. V. Beet, Acting Commissioner of the Office of Indian Affairs, requests the return of the lease of farm in Carlisle, Pennsylvania between James A. McCauley, Robert Henderson, Richard Henry Pratt and Hiram Price for a one year continuance from the Comptroller of the Treasury.

Richard Henry Pratt reports that 35 San Carlos Apache students are eligible to return to their homes due to the expiration of their terms. Six of the students have elected to remain an additional year but Pratt notes that many more should remain and likely would with the encouragement from the agent and their friends.

Pratt requests a…

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that a group of Apache students left Carlisle for the Mount Vernon on May 30, 1889. In addition, he felt it important to increase the size of the party to nine students.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to use the extra $500 remaining in his appropriation for sending Alfred John Standing and a female assistant to recruit students in Michigan.

Pratt also notes that a former student who could have served this role returned home in order to look out for his own interests in regards to the land in…

Thomas Stewart Jr., school physician, compiles the monthly sanitary report for May 1889.

Captain Richard H. Pratt forwards the monthly report of irregular employees for May 1889 to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Note: The report itself was missing when this file was scanned at the National Archives.

Richard Henry Pratt provides a list of students to be returned to their homes due to various reasons along with various escorts.

Note: The student referred to here as Maurice Walker is also known as Maurice Yellow Hair.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that the Presbyterian Board desires to have Miss Patterson. Pratt notes that Patterson prefers to work in the Government service but will accept the offer if not wanted by the Government.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to bring 8 boys and 8 girls from the Green Bay Agency along with Peter J. Powlas as an escort to the Carlisle Indian School.

Captain Richard H. Pratt provides the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with a list of irregular labor required for July 1889. Pratt also includes details on compensation, position title, and the number of workdays required for the month.

Estimate of funds for the fourth quarter of 1889 amounting to $1,161.15 for support of school.

Special estimate of funds for the first quarter of 1890 amounting to $8,000.00 for the transportation of students to and from the school.

Captain Richard Henry Pratt submits a report that lists all of the employees at the school to start the 1889-1890 fiscal year (A. J. Standing, S. H. Gould, C. H. Hepburn, E. L. Fisher, Emma A. Cutter, M. E. B. Phillips, Lizzie A. Shears, Mary H. Cook, Anna L. Hamston, Fanny G. Paull, Bertha V. Aspell, Lizzie R. Bender, N. J. Campbell, W. P.…

Captain Richard H. Pratt replies to a letter from the Commission of Indian Affairs questioning the report of irregular employees during May 1889.  Pratt explains why the expenditure for labor was double was due to Miss Marsh (teacher) replacing Miss Lowe (teacher), Dr. Stewart replacing Dr. Given, and five pupil teachers.  Also, Pratt…

Richard Henry Pratt requests that the $8,000 appropriated for the Carlisle Indian School transportation budget be made special and placed to his credit so that he may make use of it.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has not received action on employees list and asks if he should forward nominations.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that the salaries of various staff were incorrect on the Commissioner's Report for 1888 due to leaves of absence taken and the subsequent forfeiting of one month's pay.

Richard H. Pratt submits a report that lists new employee (Della F. Botsford) as well as those who have left the school (Lizzie A. Shears). These reports include personal information about those being hired as well as reasons for departure for those leaving. Pratt also sends Della F. Botsford's application for a position as a teacher, including…

Richard H. Pratt forwards and endorses Rachel A. Stanton's application for a position as a teacher at Carlisle, including references.

Richard Henry Pratt requests to employ a short hand type writer during July, August, and part of September 1889 in order to correspond with outing students.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to spend $400 a year for traveling and incidental expenses of school agents to visit students on the outing program. In addition, he requests $60 to purchase ice for the hospital, kitchen, and school use during the fiscal year.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to add an addition to the teacher's mess hall. Pratt details the work to be done and notes that most of the work can be done in house.

Estimate of funds for the first quarter of 1891 amounting to $20,356.86 for support of the school and transportation of Indian supplies, $8,000.00 of which is for regular employee pay. 

Richard Henry Pratt requests assistance from the Office of Indian Affairs in securing students for the upcoming school year. Pratt specifically asks for the office to send letters to encourage agents at various agencies to help secure students. Pratt further notes that he is sending Marianna Burgess and Kate Irvine to New Mexico with the…