1887

Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Office of Indian Affairs that he agrees with the office's order regarding English in the schools. He notes his disagreement with the missionaries who oppose it. He ends by noting that teaching English will lead to greater emancipation and eliminate interpreters at agencies which would be highly beneficial.

These materials include a cover letter and a Descriptive Statement of Pupils regarding a single student, Benjamin Damon, discharged from the Carlisle Indian School and transferred back to his home at the Navajo Agency.

Captain Richard H. Pratt provides the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with a list of irregular labor required for November 1887. Pratt also includes details on compensation, position title, and the number of workdays required for the month.

Estimate of funds for the fourth quarter of 1887 amounting to $10,511.00 for support of the school. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $7,332.50 for regular employee pay. 

G. D. Williams, U.S. Indian Agent for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency, writes to Richard Henry Pratt to see if he can enroll six students at the Carlisle Indian School in addition to having one white escort during transport.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a copy of the letter to the Office of Indian Affairs noting that six students…

Forwarded voucher for the expenses incurred by L. A. Bender in burying Bruce Hayman, a student at the Carlisle Indian School, in Millville, Pennsylvania.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a letter from A. Miller, a member of the Stockbridge Nation, regarding a request from Miller to enroll his son and two daughters at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he has informed Miller that his son is too old but his daughters are eligible for enrollment. Pratt notes that he is in favor of enrolling…

These materials include a Descriptive Statement of Pupils for 4 individuals transferred to the Carlisle Indian School from the Quapaw Agency.

These materials include a Descriptive Statement of Pupils for 4 individuals transferred to the Carlisle Indian School from the Quapaw Agency.

George W. Scott, Superintendent of the Fort Stevenson School, requests a Carlisle Indian School student to fill the position of assistant seamstress at the School.

Captain Richard H. Pratt provides the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with a list of irregular labor required for December 1887. Pratt also includes details on compensation, position title, and the number of workdays required for the month.

Thomas Jennings, U.S. Indian Agent for the Green Bay Agency, replies to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the enrollment of A. Miller's children at the Carlisle Indian School. Jennings states that the children are living with their grandfather and he believes it would be advisable to enroll them at the Carlisle Indian School.

Captain Richard H. Pratt provides the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with additional information in regard to required labor needed for December 1887. Pratt inadvertently overlooked instructions in the previous letter and explains the need for a carpenter and mason is separate from general service. 

J. L. Thomas seeks to have his son enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School. Richard Henry Pratt forwarded his letter to the Office of Indian Affairs noting that Thomas will pay his transportation to the school and that with Office approval he would be willing to enroll him.

A. B. Upshaw, the Acting Commissioner of the Office of Indian Affairs, appoints Rev. T. S. Childs to investigate complaints made against the Hampton Institute Indian Department.

The report was then submitted to the Secretary of the Interior.

Richard Henry Pratt seeks clarification on whether an Office of Indian Affairs letter gives him authority to arrange transportation for two girls from the Green Bay Agency to travel to the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt asks for transportation be provided or for authority be granted for him to arrange it.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards two letters one from Wallace Charging Shield and one from Perry H. Laravie to the Office of Indian Affairs. Both Charging Shield and Laravie request to be enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School and Pratt provides his recommendation that both be allowed to enroll.

Richard Henry Pratt seeks authority from the Office of Indian Affairs to enroll two students from Alaska at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that the students were brought from the Sitka school to learn the printing and tin smithing trades by Rev. Dr. Sheldon Jackson. Jackson claims he had authority from the Office to enroll the students…

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

Richard Henry Pratt asks the Office of Indian Affairs if Parker West (here Porter West) should accompany Miss Eustes to the Mount Vernon Barracks as an interpreter. Pratt notes that Eustes requested West be at Hampton on Monday.

Richard H. Pratt submits a statement of cost form that lists the total amounts for subsistence, clothing, school materials, school furnishings, light and fuel, buildings and repairs, miscellaneous expenses, and the value of subsistence raised by school and issued to pupils for the quarter ending September 30, 1887. Pratt also forwards a lengthy…

Estimate of funds for the first quarter of 1888 amounting to $10,368.30 for support of the school. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $7,292.50 for regular employee pay. 

Richard H. Pratt submits an Estimate of Supplies for the first quarter of fiscal year 1888 amounting to $475.80 and requests to purchase those items in the open market. The form includes the items being requested, the quantity, the estimated cost, and how the item will be used at the school.

Richard Henry Pratt seeks authority to return five students to their homes due to their ill health. Pratt notes that the school physician believes their long term health will prevent the students from taking full advantage of the Carlisle Indian School course, but they are healthy enough to travel without escort.

This audit and report, which concerns the finances of the Carlisle Indian School as administered by Richard Henry Pratt, was prepared immediately following his retirement as superintendent of the school. The report focuses on the use of non-governmental funds - charitable donations to the school, as well as income earned through athletics and…