1880-1889

Richard Henry Pratt requests funds to develop the industrial and mechanical training programs at the school. Specifically, Pratt hopes to establish a harness-making program and to expand the blacksmithing, wagon-making, carpentry, shoemaking, and tinsmithing departments. Pratt notes that this issue is already before the Secretary of the…

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to sell two old mules, transferred from the War Department, and to purchase two farm horses.

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to purchase seeds on the open market.

Andrew J. Koser informs the Secretary of the Interior that he visited the Carlisle Indian School, which he thinks is a "noble move toward civilization" and more effective than reservation schools. He proposes the idea of purchasing the building formerly housing the Orphans Home in Gettysburg to establish a new Indian boarding school.

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Letter from Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks to Indian Agent L. J. Miles at the Osage Agency to select five Osage boys and five Osage girls to send to the Carlisle Indian School for education.

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to immediately purchase school supplies on the open market. Pratt notes that these supplies were not provided when requested from the Department, and that a recent increase in pupils necessitates their purchase.

Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Edward J. Brooks wrote a letter to the Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz lobbying for an experienced person to be sent to Colorado and New Mexico to recruit students from the Tribes of those states. Brooks stressed the need for the individual to be competent in their knowledge of dealing with Tribes and…

Richard Henry Pratt suggests to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that constructing a boiler for heating would be more efficient and less laborious.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that the approved expenditure for coal for the first quarter of 1880 did not meet the school's needs. Pratt requests funds to purchase additional coal for the first quarter, and refers to a previous letter on the subject.

Richard Henry Pratt requests additional money for postage of student letters from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs. Pratt states that letter-writing increases student morale and promotes the school's reputation among their families and tribes.

Richard Henry Pratt requests funds for the renovation of the mess hall, kitchen, and laundry. Pratt notes that the school's increasing student population necessitates these renovations, and describes which buildings will be added and renovated.

Richard Henry Pratt submits a "Special" Estimate of Funds form amounting to $3,075.25 for areas covering employee salary, clothing, water, coal, and chapel.

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…

Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra A. Hayt wrote to Andrew J. Roser in Bigler, Pennsylvania and responded to his request to purchase a building formerly used as an Orphan's Home in Gettysburg to turn it into an Indian Training school. Hayt explains that while the Office wants to expand its facilities for "educating Indian youth away from their…

Estimate of funds for the second quarter of 1880 amounting to $11,350 for areas covering subsistence, employee pay, repairs, clothing, mechanical industries, supplies, and contingencies.

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,…

Letter from Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge to Rev. Sheldon Jackson informing him that plans are in motion to for Lt. Brown to travel West and secure children from the Ute, Navajo, and Pueblo Tribes. Trowbridge was responding to a recommendation from Jackson dated March 1 to recruit from the Southwest Tribes.

Based on a discussion with the Secretary of the Interior and the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs, Richard Henry Pratt requests funds for the purchase of 110 sets of dormitory furniture on the open market.

Mattie G. Reynolds writes to Richard Henry Pratt asking for a position at the Carlisle Indian School in sewing or as a sewing teacher or assistant matron. Reynolds, who formerly worked with the Pawnees in a variety of roles, additionally describes a large building that was formerly used as a manual labor school for the Pawnees. Reynolds…

Assistant Secretary of the Interior A. Bell sends a copy of the Revised Statutes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs and asks the Commissioner to forward it to Richard Henry Pratt at the Carlisle Indian School.

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

Dr. J. S. Bender notifies Richard Henry Pratt of the death of Henry Jones, a member of the Iowa Nation, due to advanced endocarditis. Dr. Bender notes that a post-mortem examination was performed alongside local physician Dr. J. R. Bixler. Pratt forwards this notice to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

In this letter the Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge was responding to a from Indian Agent A. B. Ludlam of the Pima and Maricopa Agency's request for the education of three Pima boys at the Hampton Institute instead of at Forest Grove Industrial Training School in Oregon. Trowbridge explains that the climate is not much colder…

Secretary of War Alexander Ramsey informs Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz that he is declining the Commissioner of Indian Affairs' request to allow Lieutenant George LeRoy Brown to recruit Indian students from nations in Colorado and New Mexico and transport them to the Carlisle Indian School because it is not a military duty. Schurz…

Richard Henry Pratt states that he has had trouble finding quality teachers but recently found Jennie L. Woodbury, who started on March 11 for $45 per month. Pratt strongly urges Commissioner of Affairs R. E. Trowbridge to approve this hire and wage.

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

Richard Henry Pratt asks the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to send Dr. Kellogg to inspect the sanitary conditions at the Carlisle Indian School and to inspect and consult with him on the precautions that they should be taking.

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

Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs regarding a disallowed sum of $2.35 from his February irregular employees report. Pratt explains the error and transmits a new and corrected report.

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

Richard Henry Pratt continues correspondence with Sheldon Jackson about obtaining permission to recruit Navajo, Pueblo, and Moqui students. He regrets that they are only permitted 15 Navaho students out of a total of 50 from these peoples. Pratt notes that the detail of Lt. Brown for recruiting is encountering difficulties and that he may have…