Discipline - Punishment

The first page opened with a poem titled "English Speaking," that discouraged students from speaking their native languages. The page also included an article titled "How Miss Fisher went to Call on the President's Wife," that described Mrs. Cleveland's dress and the decor of White House rooms in a visit by a Carlisle Indian School teacher.…

The first page opened with the poem, "You Conquer Me, Me Conquer You" followed by a letter from Rev. Edward F. Wilson of the Shingwauk Home titled "An Indian School in Canada," which described Wilson’s report to the Indian Department of Canada on his visit to Carlisle, the Lincoln Institute and the Hampton Institute. It continued on the last…

Richard Henry Pratt submits a voucher for travel expenses incurred while returning Dana Long Wolf and Charles Redmore. Pratt includes the context of what led Redmore and Long Wolf to run away from the school and the discipline meted out to Redmore. He ends by proposing the government develop a reformatory where students can be sent to prevent…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to the Office of Indian Affairs inquiry regarding Raymond Stewart's request to return home. Pratt notes that Stewart did not want to go home in January and so was placed in the outing program, which he was eventually forced to leave. After being returned to Carlisle he was put on trial and sentenced to remain at…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter which enclosed a letter from W. B. Backus, Superintendent of the Genoa School, in reference to a system of savings for students. Pratt notes that he believes he fills the place of a parent for the students at the Carlisle Indian School, that he considered teaching students about…

Richard Henry Pratt provides a response to the report of Inspector Junkin regarding former Carlisle students at the San Carlos Agency.

Festus Pelone requests permission from Thomas J. Morgan to be returned to his home during the winter. Pelone writes that he has no money in the bank due to being unfairly punished by Richard Henry Pratt for leaving his outing.

Richard Henry Pratt provides a report responding to questions from the Office of Indian Affairs on the needs of the Carlisle Indian School. Included are discussions on the need for more land, additional educational needs, and industrial training including the limitations of the industrial instruction received at Carlisle.

Pratt also…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding a request to be returned home by Festus Pelone. Pratt includes a copy of Pelone's disciplinary record while at Carlisle and notes that his punishment of being on "no pay" is deserved. Because of the pattern of bad behavior, Pratt is willing to send Pelone home but…

Richard Henry Pratt follows up on a conversation with Thomas J. Morgan in regards to placing students who break the law while attending the Carlisle Indian School at the Huntingdon Reformatory. Pratt writes that he has discussed the matter with Pennsylvania Governor Robert E. Pattison and that according to Pattison the laws of Pennsylvania do…

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has sent a student in consultation with a local judge to the Huntingdon Reformatory.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that Abner St. Cyr, who was sent to the Pennsylvania State Reformatory, is from the Omaha and Winnebago Agency.

Adela Rankin writes to Theodore Roosevelt (serving on the Civil Service Commission at that time) in regards to claims of abuse of students at the Carlisle Indian School. As a result of her attempting to bring these claims to light, she was dismissed by Pratt from her temporary position teaching elocution and oratory. Transcript included.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards two letters from the family of Sibbald Smith. Pratt notes that an Office insistence that Smith will receive a proper punishment and deny the request for his return will be accepted by his family.

William A. Mercer informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has sent Frank Keshena home and requests approval of his action.

The personnel folder compiled by Washington, DC staff of the Office of Indian Affairs as related to John Whitwell's employment in the Indian Service. At Carlisle Whitwell worked as the principal teacher at Carlisle from 1907-1914. 

The folder has been split into four PDFs. "PDF One" covers a range of correspondence and reports…

Anna H. Ridenour worked as matron at Carlisle from January of 1912 until her resignation in late May of 1914. She started work in the Indian Service in 1897.

This folder includes document related to her time employed at Carlisle. Arranged in reverse chronological order, the documents cover her resignation, the charges levelled against her…

In this affidavit, Julia Hardin answers questions from Indian Inspector Linnen about an incident where she was beaten by the music teacher at the school Claude Stauffer. She explains that the conflict started when she signed-up to go on outing but was expected to leave before she had her belongings prepared.

In Inspector Linnen's main…

In this affidavit Claude Stauffer answers questions about whether he has any agricultural training, a 1913 incident wherein he beat a student, and the practice of having musical accompaniment for lowering the flag. After the affidavit itself is a document signed by the stenographer who took down the conversation, Beatrice Herman.

In…

Principal teacher at Carlisle John Whitwell recounts his perspective on an incident of corporal punishment at the school. 

In Inspector Linnen's main report for the 1914 Congressional investigation at Carlisle, this document is labelled Exhibit E-1.

Note: This content contains information about an incident of corporal…

A typed transcript of Edward Bracklin's testimony before the Joint Commission to Investigate Indian Affairs. At the time Bracklin was a student at Carlisle.

Bracklin first discusses the tension between the student body and Superintendent Friedman then testifies to the poor health and safety conditions of the school (lack of towels, lack…

A typed transcript of Peter Eastman's testimony before the Joint Commission to Investigate Indian Affairs. At the time Eastman was a student at Carlisle.

Eastman discusses unjust punishment, the strained relationship between Superintendent Friedman and the student body, and the removal of Dr. James W. W. Walker as Y.M.C.A. advisor at the…

The typed transcript of Anna H. Ridenour's testimony before the Joint Commission to Investigate Indian Affairs. At the time Ridenour was the matron at Carlisle.

In her testimony Ridenour explains her perspective on the use of corporal punishment on Julia Hardin and answers questions about the friction between herself and the students in…

The typed transcript of Glenn S. Warner's testimony before the Joint Committee to Investigate Indian Affairs. At the time Warner was working as the athletic director at the school.

In his testimony Warner answers questions about the formation and financial dealings of the Carlisle Athletic Association. He also discusses an incident of…

The typed transcript of John Whitwell's testimony before the Joint Commission to Investigate Indian Affairs. At the time Whitwell was the principal teacher at Carlisle.

In his testimony Whitwell begins by summarizing his duties as principal teacher then discusses negative influences on the academic program and narrates the difficulties in…