Pratt, Richard Henry

Richard Henry Pratt provides Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt with a variety of updates about the Carlisle Indian School: everyone is in good health, he will send Hayt a uniform sample in a few days, his corps of assistants is almost complete, he's found a clerk, he'd like to keep a former Carlisle Barracks employee on the staff for…

Richard Henry Pratt requests to visit Washington, D.C. to discuss the Carlisle Indian School with the Department of the Interior. A note on the bottom notes that Pratt has telegraphed to cancel the request to visit.

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

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt's letter to James E. Rhoades in response to a letter Rhoades sent to Captain Richard Henry Pratt requesting that he transfer a Seneca student to the Carlisle Indian School. Hayt denied the request on the grounds that the Seneca student has "better advantages" than most Indians and that the office has…

Letter where Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt encourages Captain Richard Henry Pratt to replace the physician at Carlisle, feeling that the Army surgeon may not know best how to treat younger people. Hayt tells Pratt to seek a physician in town to help care for the schoolkids. Hayt states that there "ought to be little or no…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt's response to Edward Bloedon suggesting that he should send his inquiry about employment directly to Captain Richard Henry Pratt at the Carlisle Indian School. 

Commissioner of Indian Affairs writing to Captain Richard Henry Pratt about the application of Edward Bloedon of Saginaw, Michigan for appointment as steward at the Carlisle Indian School. Hayt told Bloedon that he should send his application directly to Pratt. Hayt also mentioned needing a married couple to run a boarding school at the…

Richard H. Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that Dr. J. J. Bender would be willing to be the Indian School's doctor for $600 per year. However, Dr. Bender is the leading physician in the town of Carlisle and has many patients. Pratt suggests that it could be better for the Indian School to hire its own physician.

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Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt regarding a request for $4,000 from November 4th. Pratt states that Hayt only sent him $1,031. Pratt then asks for the rest of the requested funds, particularly the $2,100 needed for rations.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt requests that Richard Henry Pratt obtain an offer for medical services and machines for $600 per year.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to spend $100 to take photographs of the buildings and students, both individually and in groups, to send to Indian agencies and the students' parents.

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

Richard H. Pratt transmits a "Special" Estimate for Funds form for the fourth quarter of 1879 amounting to $1,250.50 for the fitting of chapel and school room, repairs, and supplies. An explanatory cover letter is included.

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

Richard Henry Pratt informs Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks that the cost of manufacturing uniform suits ranges from $5.50 to $8.00, with the addition of corporal and sergeant striping increasing the cost to over $8.00.

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

Richard Henry Pratt asks how much it costs to transport students from Yankton, Dakota to Carlisle and from Wichita to Carlisle for his records.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt regarding his pay. Pratt references a conversation he had with Mr. Brooks regarding his personal expenses, and Pratt argues that his pay is inadequate for the needs of his position.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm reels (M234), which…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, responding to a forwarded letter from Major Pollock of the Rosebud Agency. Pratt argues against screening students' letters home, suggesting that it would harm the government's relationship with their parents and chiefs. Pratt also addresses students' written complaints…

Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that the construction of the chapel and assembly room is completed and will be where the school holds its Christmas celebration. Pratt accepts the building as a gift from the Department of the Interior and invites Hayt to join them for the holiday.

Note: This item was…

Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. A. Hayt that Dr. J. J. Bender's temporary employment "has proven acceptable" and requests to permanently hire him for $700 per year .

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

Richard Henry Pratt writes two letters to officials at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, inquiring why needed funds for the construction of the chapel have not been provided. In the first letter, to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt, Pratt notes that he has borrowed money to fill the financial gap. In the second letter, to Edwin J. Brooks,…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs a letter from Olive Roberts, requesting employment as a teacher at the Carlisle Indian School. Roberts states that they previously ran the Crow Creek boarding school in Dakota. Pratt requests more information about Roberts, and notes that many of his teachers are giving up…

Richard Henry Pratt telegrams the Commissioner of Indian Affairs asking for permission to come to Washington that day to discuss school matters, including a farm and industrial training.

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt suggesting the return home of the former Ft. Marion prisoners, who had gone to Hampton and then Carlisle following their release. Pratt notes that they have been very helpful both at Carlisle and in general in generating good will among their people, and that sending them…

Pratt writes to Rep. Thaddeus C. Pound, sending him stereoviews of the students and providing information about their progress at the school. He notes that now that the work of the schoolroom is successfully underway they will begin fitting up the industrial shops. He observes that by selling the products of the school's industrial program to…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt's response to Captain Richard Henry Pratt's request to have Reverend A. H. Donaldson send a delegation to procure "50 to 75 Navajo children for education" at the Carlisle Indian School. Hayt encouraged Pratt to first secure funding from Congress before bringing more children to the Carlisle Indian…

Richard Henry Pratt requests an order to travel to Washington from Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt. Pratt notes that he was requested to appear before the House Committee on Indian Affairs.

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…