1880-1889

M. L. McKenzie, Clerk in Charge of the Pawnee Agency, requests the return of Luther Kuhns to the agency in order for him to employed as a carpenter at the agency. Richard Henry Pratt forwards the request to the Office of Indian Affairs stating Kuhns qualifications and noting that he will only be leaving school a month early and asks for…

P. H. Bridenbaugh, head of the Martinsburg Indian School, writes to the Office of Indian Affairs regarding the transfer of Oneida students at Martinsburg to Carlisle. Bridenbaugh states that he has asked a policeman at the agency to ask for consent for the transfer. Bridenbaugh also includes a letter from Thomas E. Watt, passenger agent for the…

Thomas H. Breen, the Superintendent of the Grand Junction Industrial School, requests that Henry E. Harris a student at his school be transferred to the Carlisle Indian School in order to become a teacher.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards copy of plan and specifications for the proposed school building. Pratt requests that he be allowed to advertise for bids to construct the building.

Richard Henry Pratt informs General A. B. Upshaw that he has sent plans and specifications for the new school building to the Office of Indian Affairs. Pratt requests that he be given permission to advertise immediately in order to overcome the delay in passing the Indian Bill.

Lewis Elm requests the return of his son, John Elm, from the Carlisle Indian School. Elm states that his son has been at Carlisle for three years which is the term he agreed to when he enrolled. Elm states that Pratt is willing return his son but at his own expense; however, Elm claims that he is too poor to pay the travel expense and asks the…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the enrollment of the Henry Harris at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he would be happy to accept Harris at Carlisle to further his desire to become a teacher.

William Endicott, Secretary of War, that he has directed the five youths referred to in the Department of Interior letter have been transferred from Fort Pickens to Mount Vernon Barracks. They will be held at Mount Vernon until an appropriation is available to transport them to the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding an upcoming exhibit in Cincinnati. He notes that Carlisle cannot add to the exhibits currently in Washington D.C. at the Office of Indian Affairs and Senate Committee Room on short notice with the exception of some photographs of which he includes various size frames…

Captain Richard H. Pratt provides the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with a list of irregular labor required for July 1888. Pratt also includes details on compensation, position title, and the number of workdays required for the month. 

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding a request to return John Elm to his home in the Green Bay Agency. Pratt notes that Elm's father has properly stated his position in regards to Elm's return that he is willing to return him at his own expense as he is being returned before five years. Pratt ends by…

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to arrange transportation for two Sioux boys currently under the care of Bishop Whipple in Minnesota. Pratt states that Whipple believes the boys would benefit from the discipline at Carlisle.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has arranged transportation for Henry Harris from Grand Junction to Carlisle.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of the Indian Affairs of the 60 students who are entitled to return to their home at the end of the school term due to the expiration of their enrollment or sickness.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has 25 Oneida and 7 Osage students transferred to the Carlisle Indian School from the Martinsburg Indian School. In addition, he notes that he has left the Oneida girls for work who will come to Carlisle when the 5 Osage and 12 Oneida students are returned to their homes.

Richard Henry Pratt notes that after paying for beef, flour, and other bills the school will have $400 in the current quarter at the Treasury. Pratt proposes using this money to transport the Crow prisoners at Fort Snelling ordered to Carlisle by the President.

Richard Henry Pratt provides an account of transferring students from the Martinsburg Indian School to the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he and P. H. Bridenbaugh told the group of students of the benefit of staying in the East and continuing their education but that it was up to them if they wanted to stay. After a discussion in…

Richard Henry Pratt requests to send the Carlisle Indian School physician to the Green Bay Agency to settle with parents of the returned Martinsburg Indian School students. Pratt notes that the physician has requested to go on leave in July and wishes to spend it in Kansas but is willing to go to Green Bay first.

Richard Henry Pratt inquires if the Office of Indian Affairs telegram from the day before authorizes him to send the Carlisle School physician to Green Bay and cover expenses.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that P. H. Bridenbaugh that two of the girls who stayed behind to assist with some of the work while students remained. Pratt writes that he believes the girls should come to Carlisle and asks that if any Office decision is needed that they instruct Bridenbaugh to send the students to…

Richard Henry Pratt notifies the Office of Indian Affairs of the delay in returning students to their homes due to a lack of communication between the Office and the Passenger Agent. The Passenger Agent informed Pratt that he only just learned that his bid was accepted but he does not have sufficient information to fulfill the order.

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A. B. Upshaw, Acting Commissioner of the Office of Indian Affairs, forwards a copy of the proposal of Andrew Wetzel as well as Samuel Wetzel for the construction of a new building at the Carlisle Indian School. The Acting Secretary of the Interior H. L. Muldrew approves the contract if there are no objections.

These materials include a cover letter and a Descriptive Statement of Pupils regarding 61 individuals discharged from the Carlisle Indian School and transferred back to their homes in the San Carlos, Laguna, Wallace, Isleta, Quapaw, Eufaula, Omaha, Winnebago, Nez Perce, Crow, Kiowa and Comanche, Cheyenne and Arapaho, Ponca, Rosebud, and Pine…

Estimate of funds for the first quarter of 1888 amounting to $13,183.62 for support of the school and for transportation of Indian children. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $8,095.00 for regular employee pay. 

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to spend money allowing Carlisle Indian School staff to visit outing students during the 1889 fiscal year.