Ernest

Note: As of July 2021, the remains of Ernest (Knocks Off) have been disinterred and repatriated. Ernest was previously interred in plot C-12.

Cemetery information and mortuary documents related to Ernest (Knocks Off), a member of the Sioux Nation.

Note: The modern cemetery contains two headstones for Ernest,…

Student information card of Ernest, a member of the Sioux Nation, who entered the school on October 6, 1879 and died on December 14, 1880. Ernest was buried in the cemetery on the school grounds.

In school documentation Ernest's name is also spelled Earnest. He is also known as Knocks Off and We-cha-ka-gpah.

Student information card of Ernest (Knocks Off), a member of the Sioux Nation, who entered the school on October 6, 1879 and died on December 14, 1880 while attending the school. He was buried in the cemetery on the school grounds.

Page one opened with a teacher identified as A.J.S. (Alfred J. Standing) reminiscing about his time teaching Native Americans before he came to Carlisle. Also on the page was an article signed by "G. Le R. B." (George Le Roy Brown) on the civilization of the Indians, comparing it to the conquests of the Roman Empire and its assimilation of less…

Page one started with an explanation for why boarding schools are necessary to successfully educate Indian children. It was explained that day school simply “do not withdraw the pupils from the influences of their home surroundings in such a manner us to facilitate a change in their habits of daily life.” Page two had a piece on the “Oklahoma…

Portrait of Agnes (White Cow) and Ernest (Knocks Off) posed on the steps of the bandstand on the school grounds.

Studio portrait of Ernest (Knocks Off) wearing a school uniform.

Studio portrait of Ernest (Knocks Off) wearing school uniform.

Note: The Cumberland County Historical Society has two copies of this image: PA-CH1-017a and CS-CH-019. 

A posed group of male students in the Carlisle Indian School tin shop with their instructor and Richard Henry Pratt. They are, from left to right: Charles Oheltoint, Richard Henry Pratt, Henry Roman Nose, Paul Black Bear, J.H. Curtain (instructor), Ernest, and Koba.

The Cumberland County Historical Society has two copies of this image:…

Descriptive Statement of young people being sent to the Carlisle Indian School from Rosebud Agency, as sent by the Rosebud Indian Agent Cicero Newell. 

Seven letters, written between December 6 and December 13, 1880, from Richard Henry Pratt to Chief White Thunder about the illness of his son, Ernest. 

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that Chief White Thunder's son, Ernest, is very sick and may die. Pratt believes that it's "entirely his fault" and that he "wants to die."

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which were filmed from the original documents found in…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Chief White Thunder telling him of the death of his son, Ernest. 

Physician Charles H. Hepburn provides a report on the deaths of two Rosebud Sioux students: Maud and Ernest. Maud died of multiple lung issues on December 13, 1880 with Ernest dying of diphtheria on December 14, 1880. Richard Henry Pratt forwards Hepburn's report to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Note: This item was copied from U.S…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Chief White Thunder about the funeral ceremony and burial of his son, Ernest. Pratt expresses his sorrow and sympathy at White Thunder's loss, but also argues that White Thunder was right to send Ernest to the school. 

Pratt notes that Maud (Little Girl) died the same night as Ernest, so they were…

The parents of Ernest White Thunder and Maud Swift Bear request that their bodies be returned to them in order to have them buried near their homes. They note that while Richard Henry Pratt sent them frequent letters they were not aware that their children were near death and are now unable to fulfill their hope of returning home to help their…

Richard Henry Pratt notes that when he spoke to American Horse and other Sioux Chiefs in 1880 as they returned home they were promised a light wagon produced at Carlisle. According to Pratt sending the wagons along with some tinware would be a good method to show the work being done by the students of the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Agency as well…