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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October 18, 1879
Telegram from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt sent to Richard Henry Pratt or Alfred J. Standing. (Hayt did not know who was at Wichita, Kansas to receive the telegram.)
The telegram reads: "Bring on Osage, Pawnee, and Ponca…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Telegram with Instruction to Bring Indian Territory Party805.44 KB
October 21, 1879 - October 23, 1879
The Chief Clerk to the Secretary of War forwards a letter to the Secretary of the Interior. The letter, from Adjutant General E. D. Townsend, explains that the Secretary of War has authorized the transfer of Commissary property and stores at the…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Founding of the School
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Transfer of Commissary Property and Stores to the Interior Department459.61 KB
October 23, 1879
Letter from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra E. Hayt to Indian Agent E. Stephens authorizing the selection of two more Menominee boys to be sent to the Carlisle Indian School. Hayt instructs Stephens to ensure their health is certified by a…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Recruitment of Students
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Letter Authorizing Selection of Two Menominee Boys to Send to Carlisle Indian School3.17 MB
October 23, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Hayt noting that the party of recruited students met in Wichita can be waggoned to Lawrence, Kansas if need be. Pratt again notes that he is desperate for a way to transport the…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Travel to Enroll
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Proposed Alternative Transportation Plans from Wichita, Kansas1.69 MB
October 24, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Hayt noting that Alfred Standing has met up with him in Wichita, escorting Pawnee, Ponca, and Nez Perce students. Pratt notes that he is investigating the possibility of using…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Travel to Enroll
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Arrival of Alfred Standing's Party in Wichita, Kansas1.79 MB
October 24, 1879
W. F. White informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that Richard Henry Pratt is at Wichita with a party of Indians but has no authority to arrange transportation. White asks the Commissioner if he will reimburse him if he transports Pratt and…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Travel to Enroll
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Issue with Transporting Pratt and Party of Indians104.15 KB
October 24, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, relaying a message from ticket agent W. F. White in Wichita, Kansas that he is unable to arrange the transportation plans requested by the Commissioner. Alternative…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Travel to Enroll
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Notice of Incomplete Transportation Plans from Wichita, Kansas2.68 MB
October 24, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs, asking whether the party of pupils should be transported via the Northern Pacific Railroad line as initially planned, or the St. Louis and Northern Railroad line as received…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Travel to Enroll
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Clarification of Transportation Plans from Wichita, Kansas1.66 MB
October 25, 1879
Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz returns a list of articles and supplies requested by Richard Henry Pratt for the Carlisle Indian School. Schurz grants immediate authority to make open market purchase of the requested supplies amounting to $…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Approval to Purchase $1,972 of Supplies142.88 KB
October 27 - November 9, 1879
Edward Bloeden writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt to request employment at the Carlisle Indian School. He specifically refers to being a "steward" of the school.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Application for Employment from Edward Bloeden397.2 KB
October 27, 1879
Hampton Institute Principal Samuel C. Armstrong informs Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz that he received a telegraph from Captain Richard H. Pratt, who is currently in the Indian Territory. Pratt stated that there are many Indian girls in…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Recruitment of Female Students from the Indian Territory for Hampton172.68 KB
October 28, 1879
Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, acknowledging receipt of change orders allowing Pratt to remain in the East at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt also apologizes for troubles during his recent trip to…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Need to Improve Travel Logistics for Recruited Students and Continuing Supply Issues1.95 MB
October 28, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, informing him that his party of recruited students, met and delayed in Wichita, Kansas, safely arrived in Carlisle the previous evening.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Student Travel to Enroll
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Notice of Arrival of Group of Students from Wichita, Kansas6.56 MB
October 28, 1879
Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt regarding Circular No. 33, regarding rations for Indian pupils. Pratt suggests that this ration rate is insufficient given Carlisle's current nascent state, and…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Funding Per Student
View Document: Request to Continue Using Army Ration for Indian Pupils3.01 MB
October 29, 1879
Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt writes to Samuel Chapman Armstrong at Hampton to report that Indian Agent Charles Crissey left Standing Rock and will likely reach Yankton soon.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Employee Travel - Recruitment
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Letter Updating General Armstrong on Agent Crissey's Travel Status1.54 MB
October 29, 1879
Telegram from Richard Henry Pratt asking the Commissioner of Indian Affairs for permission to travel to Washington the subsequent day.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Employee Travel
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Telegram Requesting Trip to Washington1.78 MB
October 30, 1879
Anna H. Haines asks Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz if an Indian boarding school has been established in Carlisle. If so, she asks to be appointed as matron for the school.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Application from Anna H. Haines for Appointment as Matron 91.55 KB
October 31, 1879
Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz grants Richard Henry Pratt authority to purchase a list of supplies amounting to $1,998.25 on the open market. The list of supplies mostly includes bedding, furniture, and kitchen supplies.
Note: This…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Approval to Purchase Bedding, Furniture, and Kitchen Supplies216.42 KB
October 31, 1879
Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz grants authority for Richard Henry Pratt to visit Washington, D.C. to discuss the newly-established Carlisle Indian School.
Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Employee Travel
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Authority for Pratt to Visit Washington, D.C.135.08 KB
October 31, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt requesting authority to purchase personal supplies for students, including clothing and toiletries for both males and females.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Authority to Purchase Student Clothing and Personal Supplies2.45 MB
October 31, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt requests that a cooking range with a 300-person capacity be supplied to the Carlisle Indian School.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Cooking Range1.85 MB
October 31, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt requesting authority to purchase dormitory furniture immediately needed at the Carlisle Indian School.
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: School Furniture
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Dormitory Furniture1.77 MB
November 1, 1879
Richard H. Pratt submits a "Special" Estimate of Supplies for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 1879 amounting to $24.99, allowing Pratt to purchase postage stamps. The form includes a note that the postage stamps will allow students to write to…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Topics: Students Writing Home
View Document: Request for Authority to Purchase Postage Stamps for Student Letters486.82 KB
November 4, 1879
Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, requesting $4000 be transferred to his credit for the purposes of settling debts and paying owed salaries. A note in the file suggests that the Commissioner had a total of $…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Request for Fund Transfer for Salaries and Debts2.81 MB
November 4, 1879
Agent Charles Crissey informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that Agent Stephens is there with two students for the Carlisle Indian School and two for Hampton Institute. Crissey notes that he is also with Cheyenne Chief Little No Heart…
Repository: National Archives and Records Administration
Format: Letters/Correspondence
View Document: Transportation of Four Students and Cheyenne Chief153.25 KB