Pratt, Richard Henry

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that his students are very hard on their clothes and that many of them have outgrown their clothing from a year ago. He requests to spend $2,000 on materials needed to manufacture new uniforms for his current students as well as new students from the Navajo and Pueblo Nations.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt requests to purchase livestock amounting to $1,000 to stock the new school farm. Pratt notes that he would like to purchase 4 horses or mules, 12 cows, 1 blooded bull, 25 sheep, 2 sows, 1 boar, and 50 chickens.

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

Richard Henry Pratt requests to purchase a variety of school supplies in the open market amounting to $1,100 during the first quarter of 1881.

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 the Office of…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to kill two worn out mules.

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 the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."

Richard Henry Pratt requests to purchase 11,000 feet of yellow pine flooring and 4,300 feet of hemlock joints amounting to $442 to repair and replace flooring in the school building and the boys' quarters. Pratt adds that student apprentices will be able to do the work.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives microfilm…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards excerpts of a letter from Lieutenant Kishingbury, who writes a letter on behalf of the Crow nation. In the excerpts, Kingshingbury argues that the Crow desperately need to be educated because they depend entirely on buffalo for their food supply, and the buffalo will soon be extinct. He continues to say that the…

Estimate of funds for the first quarter of 1881 amounting to $13,134 for subsistence, employee pay, clothing, farm, supplies, repairs, 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, Entry 79, "Letters Received by the…

Richard Henry Pratt encloses original bills of lading.

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 the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."

Richard Henry Pratt forwards an Estimate of Medical Supplies that covers the first six months of 1881.

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 the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-80."

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a board of survey conducted on two mules. The board finds that the two mules should be sold.

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 the Office of Indian Affairs, 1824-…

Alexander Hyde writes to Secretary of the Interior Carl Schurz about his experience as an outing host for three Carlisle Indian School students, Lulu, Stephen, and Frank, in the Summer of 1880. Hyde states that he heard about outing from his daughter, Mary R. Hyde, who works as a girl's matron at Carlisle and that he enjoyed his time as a host…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Chief White Thunder telling him of the death of his son, Ernest. 

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Chief White Thunder about the funeral ceremony and burial of his son, Ernest. Pratt expresses his sorrow and sympathy at White Thunder's loss, but also argues that White Thunder was right to send Ernest to the school. 

Pratt notes that Maud (Little Girl) died the same night as Ernest, so they were…

Richard Henry Pratt requests that the Ponca delegation stops at the Carlisle Indian School to see their students on their way to Washington, D.C. Pratt states that White Eagle's son is at the school, and if White Eagle would like to bring him along to D.C., he should be allowed.

Note: This item was copied from U.S. National Archives…

Richard Henry Pratt calls attention to his monthly changes in employees, irregular employees, and proposed changes in employees forms and requests that the Commissioner of Indian Affairs approve them.

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

E. Ballon, from the Shoshone and Bannock Agency, requests to have Arapaho Nation students admitted to the Carlisle Indian School. Ballon states that many students have learned the basics and would likely progress rapidly if admitted to Carlisle. He further requests to accompany them to help them acclimate as well as stating that their parents…

Samuel Chapman Armstrong of the Hampton Institute writes to Richard Henry Pratt requesting his involvement in lobbying for higher per capita funding for Indian students, and discusses recruitment for other schools.

The parents of Ernest White Thunder and Maud Swift Bear request that their bodies be returned to them in order to have them buried near their homes. They note that while Richard Henry Pratt sent them frequent letters they were not aware that their children were near death and are now unable to fulfill their hope of returning home to help their…

Richard Henry Pratt requests five crusts of vaccine virus for new students and for students who received the vaccine a year ago but for whom it did not work.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt reports that the visit of Ponca Chiefs Harry Bear, Standing Eagle, and White Buffalo went well. He also notes that Chief Harry Bear asked that his son be returned home due to his falling ill multiple times at Carlisle. Pratt notes that he approved the return home of the student despite his condition improving following…

Samuel Chapman Armstrong of the Hampton Institute writes to Richard Henry Pratt discussing political lobbying issues with the Board of Indian Commissioners, likely over per capita funding concerns. Armstrong notes a planned lobbying trip to Washington.

Richard Henry Pratt submits plans and specifications for building a new hospital on the grounds of the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he has received multiple estimates for the cost of the building as well as supplies and believes that the use of Indian apprentices will greatly reduce labor costs. He states that the old hospital…

Samuel Chapman Armstrong of the Hampton Institute writes to Richard Henry Pratt informing him of a planned trip for Bear's Heart to return home for a month.