Factors Affecting Student Recruitment

Letter from Richard Henry Pratt to Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs Edwin J. Brooks regarding sick students discharged from the Hampton Institute. Pratt insists that too many boys were sent home, against his and the doctor's advice, and asserts that Spotted Tail and Red Cloud will be less interested in sending students to Carlisle as a…

Richard H. Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs Ezra Hayt regarding a board to appraise property at the Carlisle Barracks. Pratt notes that, because of the timing of this visit, he will be unable to meet a group of recruited students in the West as planned, and instead suggests sending teachers Alfred J. Standing and Sarah Mather.…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs A. J. Standing's report on his trip to Indian Territory in March 1880. Standing left on March 2nd accompanied by Pauskie (Comanche), White Bear and Cohoe (Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency), and Tonekeuh (Kiowa and Comanche Agency). Standing learned that Pauskie had already been…

Rev. Sheldon Jackson continues correspondence with Pratt regarding bringing Navajo and Pueblo students to Carlisle. He notes that "the Navajoes are very restless just now & we may have difficulty in security their consent." 

Richard Henry Pratt asks E. J. Brooks to send him instructions for adding additional pupils to the Carlisle Indian School. He references Sheldon Jackson's mission to recruit Navajo and Pueblo students. Finally, he believes that Spotted Tail's decision to return his family members will work to the school's advantage and that Spotted Tail will…

Richard Henry Pratt provides a report on his trip to Wisconsin and Dakota to recruit new students. Pratt notes that he first went to the Green Bay Agency and secured five students, but the enthusiasm among the parents was so strong that he could have easily recruited 25. Second, he visited the La Pointe Agency and instructed Green Bay Agent…

S. Russell, U.S. Indian Agent, informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he has had no success in finding students from the Apache Nation to be educated in eastern schools.

Sheldon Jackson encloses the plan for the Pueblo Industrial Indian Boarding School in Albuquerque, New Mexico to the Office of Indian Affairs. Jackson also states that he is having difficulty recruiting students for the Carlisle Indian School and the Hampton Normal and Agriculture School.

J. M. Haworth, Inspector, details various events in the Pueblo Agency including opposition to the schooling at the agency. Haworth reports that much of the opposition is a result of the religious nature of the schooling. He also notes that parents who had sent children to Carlisle have yet to visit them despite promises made at the time they…

Richard Henry Pratt comments on a letter he has received from Alice C. Fletcher regarding student recruitment in the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Agencies. Fletcher recommends taking more students from Pine Ridge due to the actions of Agent V. T. McGillycuddy which allow returned students to succeed.

Correspondence regarding the enrollment of children from the Sitting Bull band of Sioux being held as prisoners at Fort Randall. The officer in charge of Fort Randall indicates that the parents of the eligible children do not wish to see their children to be enrolled at Carlisle. Pratt notes that he would prefer to speak to these parents to…

Richard Henry Pratt reports that he returned from his trip to recruit Navajo students. He notes that he only brought back 12 Navajo students rather than the allotted 20.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that he has received word that Sitting Bull refuses to send any children to Carlisle. As a result he has directed his representative to go directly to Rosebud or Pine Ridge to bring back students. He ended by saying that if there are more students desiring to come from Rosebud or…

Richard Henry Pratt documents his trip to the Rosebud Agency where he attempted to secure ninety students for the school. He notes that after an initial meeting where this was received with much enthusiasm, he failed to gather the allotted students due to the work of the Catholic priest at the agency. Pratt claims that the priest may be opposed…

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Doctor Cornelius Rea Agnew regarding Agnew's nomination to an unnamed committee.  Pratt also discusses his ability to recruit more students thanks to the passing of the Indian Appropriations Bill.  

Transcript included.

Marianna Burgess sends a report to Richard Henry Pratt regarding a recruiting trip at the Menominee Agency. Burgess details the difficulties resulting from opposition from the local Catholic Priest. Pratt notes that he has experienced similar opposition at the Rosebud, Pine Ridge, and in a number of the Pueblo Agencies.

John H. Bowman, U.S. Indian Agent for the Navajo Agency, writes regarding obtaining students for the Carlisle Indian School. Bowman notes that because of Navajo customs he does not believe it possible for the agency to send girls but he can send around 12 boys.

Notice of intent by Richard Henry Pratt that either he or the Carlisle Indian School physician Obadiah G. Given is set to visit the Rosebud and Pine Ridge Agencies to enroll 75 students. Pratt notes that due to students at Rosebud being sent to Genoa and Lincoln, in addition to the opposition to the Catholic Church, they are unlikely to enroll…

Correspondence regarding the request of Rev. Colbranth B. Perry to educate students currently enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School at the Mount Calvary Clergy House in Baltimore, Maryland.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to a letter from Lucius Q. C. Lamar, Secretary of the Interior, with information about two Nez Perce students, Luke Phillips and Samuel Johns, who became ill during their second term of enrollment. Pratt notes that he believes in many cases it is better to retain students at Carlisle then send them home where he…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter providing authority to transport Wallace Charging Shield and Perry Laravie while also suggesting they serve as escort for other students. Pratt then states that he does not believe individuals in agencies are currently capable of selecting students to attend the training schools…

Wrap for telegraph from Richard Henry Pratt in which he describes difficulties in securing pupils, asks authority from the Office of Indian Affairs authority for 150 students, and opportunity to answer adverse allegations.

The telegraph itself is not included.

Richard Henry Pratt notes that with the completion of the new school building the Carlisle Indian School can accommodate 500 students on its campus. He further indicates that 189 students are currently on outing with only a few in any one district school allowing them to speak English on a more regular basis.

Pratt then discusses that…

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that the Office letter to William P. Campbell at the Crow Agency does not provide him authority to recruit students from the agency school. Campbell does state that many of the pupils and their parents are willing to have children enrolled at Carlisle.

C. E. Vandever, U.S. Indian Agent for the Navajo Agency, responds to an Office of Indian Affairs telegram to have him secure 50 Navajo students for the Carlisle Indian School. Vandever notes that it is difficult to secure Navajo students in normal times but at present the snow makes travel impossible and that he hopes to be able to secure 25…