Student Living Conditions

View of a corner of a room of a female student. A table or desk is covered with many framed photographs. There is a framed photograph of the school band hanging above the desk and there's another photograph, probably also of Carlisle students, sitting on a chair. 

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…

George Kellogg of the Medical Division of the Bureau of Indian Affairs provides a sanitary report on the buildings, appliances, and children at the Carlisle Indian School. He recommends replacing some old brick drains with terra cotta pipes. He finds the buildings to be of a satisfactory condition, particularly commending the hospital - though…

Richard Henry Pratt requests $800 from the Commissioner of Affairs to supplement funds he has raised from donors in order to install a heating apparatus in the boys quarters. Pratt states that last winter, the male students were very cold at night and suffered from illnesses due to their current heating system, which relies on coal stoves.…

Richard Henry Pratt requests that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs approves spending $300 to convert the stable to a gymnasium for the male students. Pratt explains that they moved the animals to the rented school farm and no longer use the stable.

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

Richard Henry Pratt requests to purchase 300 washable bedspreads and blankets for the male students in order to increase cleanliness. Pratt notes that he believes it will cost $495 or less.

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…

Dennison Wheelock requests permission from the Bureau of Indian Affairs to return to his home at the Green Bay Agency. Wheelock cites his cold room and the general ill health of many students at Carlisle. In reply, Obadiah G. Given, the school physician, claims that as a percentage there are no more sick students than at any other time. Richard…

Correspondence discussing the appropriation of $37,500 for improvements to the Carlisle Indian School including the acquisition of the neighboring Parker farm, a new large boys’ dormitory, a school barn, and some other improvements.  A letter from Pratt explaining the need for the new facilities is included as part of the document.

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 provides an update on the health of students for the first half of the year to the Office of Indian Affairs. He notes that there has only been one death during the school year and there have been very few serious illnesses. Pratt notes this is likely due to the improved sanitary conditions through less crowding and better…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the rations used at the Carlisle Indian School and a comparison between the Indian School rations and Army rations. Pratt notes the differences mainly in what the school can produce on its own as well as the need for more soap to properly clean buildings and people. He…

A printed document providing the daily schedule for the various bells announcing times for school activities. Pratt provides an explanation for the different bells.

Richard Henry Pratt provides an overview of the Carlisle Indian School's switch to electricity from oil lamps at the request of the Office of Indian Affairs.

Richard Henry Pratt provides an estimate for the fiscal year 1898 at the request of the Office of Indian Affairs.

A. O. Wright, Supervisor of Indian Schools, provides a report on the Carlisle Indian School focusing on the outing program. Wright provides details of the school as he found it as well as provides recommendations for improvement.

Richard Henry Pratt provides a list of the rooms and dimensions for the sleeping quarters, dining room, and school rooms at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt focuses on the dormitories due to the excess space as compared to Office regulations.

S. L. Diven provides a report in compliance with Office of Indian Affairs circular #99. Diven details his connection with the Carlisle Indian School and the most common ailments he has had to treat including consumption and other respiratory diseases. Diven also makes recommendations on the treatment of teeth and eyes as well as improvements to…

Richard Henry Pratt follows up on his previous letter stating an additional need for increasing the size of pipes which deliver water to the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to build a third story to the small boys dormitory in order to alleviate crowding during the winter.

William A. Mercer provides a report to the Office of Indian Affairs on the state of the Carlisle Indian School during the previous fiscal year. Mercer focuses on the physical plant of the school including the sewage and electric plants and proposes building additional rooms to split the small and large girls. He ends by requesting the…

William A. Mercer requests an inspection be made of school buildings at the Carlisle Indian School and suggestions be made for improving sanitary conditions.

These materials include correspondence and a report regarding construction, buildings, and grounds at the Carlisle Indian School, performed in 1905 by John Charles. Medical Supervisor Dr. Joseph A. Murphy requested the report in 1908, and returned it to the Bureau office in 1909.

William A. Mercer provides an estimate for the 1907 fiscal year in addition to providing an overview of the physical plant and the need for various buildings.

William A. Mercer informs the Office of Indian Affairs that the Empire crayon supplied by the Chicago Warehouse is defective as it is too soft and creates too much dust. Mercer recommends the Steatite Anti-dust crayon manufactured by the Andrews School Furniture Co. as it is nearly dustless and is much easier to wipe away as the preferred chalk…

William A. Mercer provides an overview of the physical plant of the Carlisle Indian School for the 1906 fiscal year and provides an estimate for the 1908 fiscal year. Mercer further makes suggestions on ways to improve the physical plant.