1880-1889

This service card tracks Chester P. Cornelius' record of employment with the Office of Indian Affairs. He began working at Carlisle as an assistant disciplinarian in 1888, leaving in 1891. He then went on to be a teacher, storekeeper, and leasing clerk. This record ends in 1900.

Note: upon request for Cornelius' Official Personnel Folder…

Charles Robinson, Superintendent of the Haskell Institute, forwards a letter from Richard Henry Pratt requesting from the U.S. Indian Agent at the Pawnee Agency transportation for Pollock to the Carlisle Indian School. In the letter E. C. Osborne appends a note to the letter in forwarding the letter to Robinson that Pollock is now at Haskell…

Estimate of funds for the second quarter of 1888 amounting to $10,658.30 for support of the school. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $7,292.50 for regular employee pay. 

Richard Henry Pratt notes that the Carlisle Indian School has been operating for eight years and has produced a number of students capable of becoming teachers. He proposes establishing a normal school course at Carlisle to better prepare future teachers rather than have returned students learn on the job.

Pratt also requests that if the…

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs actions he has taken regarding Simon Powlas, the escort of the Oneida Nation students recently arrived at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that as Powlas had already waited a number of days he purchased a ticket for him to return home. He was then informed by the local railroad…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards an anonymous letter from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania regarding three members of the Omaha Nation in a show. Pratt recommends that something be done to aid the individuals in question.

These materials include a cover letter and a Descriptive Statement of Pupils regarding 4 individuals transferred to the Carlisle Indian School from the Green Bay Agency, and 4 individuals discharged from Carlisle and transferred back to their homes in the Pine Ridge Agency due to sickness. A single Descriptive Statement was used for both groups…

Richard Henry Pratt inquires from the Office of Indian Affairs if he can furnish outing patrons with penalty envelopes for them to mail back outing reports on Carlisle Indian School students. Pratt notes that due to the increase in outing students covering the postage of these reports has become a large expense which could be mitigated through…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards to the Office of Indian Affairs the lease of the Hocker Farm and requests its renewal by the Office's endorsement. Pratt also encloses the agreement between the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees of the Carlisle Indian School to reduce the rent.

William S. Day, Auditor, acknowledges receipt of the notice of extension of lease between Rev. J. A. McCauley, R. M. Henderson, Richard Henry Pratt, and the Office of Indian Affairs for the Henderson Farm.

Richard R. McMahon, Acting Comptroller, informs John D. C. Atkins that he has received Atkins letter regarding the extension of the lease between J. A. McCauley, R. M. Henderson, and Richard Henry Pratt to reduce the annual rental of the farm to $600 per year.

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

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has received their letter advising the continuance for one year of the lease on the Hocker Farm.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding a request from Colonel Loomis Langdon, commanding officer at Fort Langdon, regarding enrolling two Apache students at Carlisle. Pratt notes that he would be more than willing to accept the students but that Carlisle already has a disproportionate amount of Apache…

J. V. Summers, U.S. Indian Agent for the Quapaw Agency, forwards a request from Henry Hicks that his daughter Delia Hicks be returned from the Carlisle Indian School. Hicks notes that he has secured a place for Delia at Earlham College where she can train as a teacher. Summers notes that Richard Henry Pratt has agreed to return Delia Hicks with…

Richard Henry Pratt submits a "Special" Estimate of Funds form for $240.00 to purchase a mule and two cows. An explanatory cover letter is included.

Richard Henry Pratt addresses an Office of Indian Affairs letter concerning the request of Henry Hicks to return his daughter Delia Hicks from the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes his correspondence with Henry Hicks and notes that Delia's father, along with others from this enrollment group, was promised she would only be enrolled for three…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter concerning jurisdiction of the Courts over the case of Etahdlueh Doanmoe. Pratt references Section 9 of the Act approved in March 3, 1885 regarding jurisdiction. Pratt advocates for firmer discipline in punishing crimes.

Richard Henry Pratt requests to return Dessie Prescott and Nancy Iron Son to their home on the recommendation of the school physician due to their health.

Three Stars requests a wagon produced by the Carlisle Indian School. Three Stars states that he has assisted the agent for over eight years and he also believes that having the wagon would show others at the agency the benefit of educating their children at Carlisle.

The Department of War informs the Interior Department of two telegrams that the Secretary of the War has approved the transfer of the Crow Indian prisoners at Fort Snelling to the Carlisle Indian School.

William Endicott, Secretary of War, informs the Secretary of the Interior that orders have been issued to transfer Geronimo and the Prisoners of War being held at Fort Pickens, Florida to Mount Vernon Barracks, Alabama along with five children to the Carlisle Indian School.

War Department orders directing Geronimo and other prisoners be sent from Fort Barrancas, Florida to Mount Vernon Barracks, Alabama in addition to sending certain youths to the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt requests that sample harness be repacked in the trunk and set aside until his next visit to Washington D.C. which would allow him to return it to Carlisle without cost.

Richard Henry Pratt requests an answer from the Office of Indian Affairs regarding his request to return Dessie Prescott and Nancy Iron Son. Also requests what answer he can give to Colonel Langdon about the Apaches.