Pratt, Richard Henry

A series of nineteen letters written to Captain Richard H. Pratt in response to a questionnaire sent to former students. The accompanying questionnaire forms are not included.

Transcripts follow each handwritten letter.

Richard Henry Pratt recommends Howard Logan, a student at the Carlisle Indian School, for a position as a teacher at the Navajo Agency for one year. Pratt notes that Logan needs to go West for his health and this opportunity also allows him the change to earn money to pay for college.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the transfer of two boys from the Wind River School and two girls from the Fort Hall School to the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that as long as the students are in good health and of good character they should be transferred to Carlisle and he encourages…

Richard Henry Pratt requests to use the Montana Treaty Funds to pay for the return of Egbert B. Hail (here Big Hail) and Theron Lears to their homes.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding authority to transfer pupils to their homes. Pratt notes that it was best to return the students at once and he therefore sent the students under escort. Pratt ends by writing that the amount placed to his credit just about covers the expense.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a letter from J. H. Seger, the head of the Seger Colony, regarding former students at the Carlisle Indian School. Seger promotes making Indians self-sufficient through the use of work harnesses and cattle. However, Pratt notes that the system will likely only work under Seger's guidance and would likely collapse if…

Captain Richard H. Pratt submits a report that lists irregular employees and includes details on their compensation, position titles, race, and the number of days worked at the school in July 1890. Pratt distinguishes between the employees, whose names appear on the first page, and the "Indian Apprentices" listed on the subsequent pages of the…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to the letter of C. W. Crouse, U. S. Indian Agent for the Pima Agency, related to the Pima Agency School and his general thoughts on educating students in the Indian Service.

Richard Henry Pratt returns the Rules for Indian Schools with a few recommendations. Pratt's main recommendation is that students should be as strongly encouraged as possible to enter the general public school system rather than establishing a separate Indian public school system. In addition, Pratt recommends an equal proportion of sexes at…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs regarding a request from Daniel Schanandore to have his son Edwin returned home. Pratt notes that Edwin graduated in 1889 and immediately after went to work for a farmer in Bucks County. The farmer subsequently became the farmer at the Carlisle Indian School with Edwin as his assistant…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the request from Thomas A. Metoxen to return to his home. Pratt notes that Metoxen has since changed his mind and requested to be sent out on outing which Pratt complied with. As a result Pratt recommends fulfilling the obligation but will follow the Office's wishes if…

Richard Henry Pratt in compliance with a request from the Office of Indian Affairs regarding the Haskell Indian School. Pratt notes that upon his arrival in San Francisco from his recent trip to Japan he received a letter from Haskell Superintendent Charles Francis Meserve asking him to stop at Haskell. Pratt explains that his interactions were…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to send home students who were entitled to return at the end of June as well as bring in new students before the beginning of the new school year. Pratt notes that 100 students are due to be returned, with 150 students set to come in under office orders. Pratt claims that there are many personal requests…

Captain Richard H. Pratt requests a six-month supply of two dozen different blank administrative forms used by the United States Indian Affairs division of the Department of the Interior.

Richard Henry Pratt notes that since the Fort Hall Agency party is likely to be increased, he is confirmed in his recommendation to keep the party separate from the Nez Perce Agency party which will likely need an escort.

Richard Henry Pratt submits a "Special" Estimate of Funds form for $6,000.00 for transportation of students and purchase of supplies for immediate use at the school. An explanatory cover letter is included.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards coupon of Government Request 2224 covering transportation of Philip Lavatta from Pocatello, Idaho to Council Bluffs, Iowa en route to the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt advises that the incoming parties from the Fort Hall and Nez Perce Agencies should not be combined due to the difficulties involved. He further asks why only ten students should come from the Nez Perce Agency when there are around 30 students willing to come to Carlisle. If a large party is authorized Pratt recommends…

School Physician Dr. Fordyce Grinnell submits changes to Estimate of Medical Supplies for July of 1890. The form includes substitutions and additional medical supplies. Richard H. Pratt forwards Grinnell's letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Captain Richard H. Pratt submits a report that lists irregular employees and includes details on their compensation, position titles, race, and the number of days worked at the school in July 1890. Pratt distinguishes between the employees, whose names appear on the first page, and the "Indian Apprentices" listed on the subsequent pages of the…

Estimate of funds for the first quarter of 1891 amounting to $8,405.10 for support of the school and transportation of Indian supplies. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds for regular employee pay. 

Richard H. Pratt submits an Estimate of Supplies for the first quarter of fiscal year 1891 amounting to $494.60 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 returns letters from Fort Hall Agency Indian Agent S. G. Fisher and Fort Hall Boarding School Superintendent John Y. Williams to the Office of Indian Affairs. Pratt notes that he is carrying out the office's wishes in regards to the Fort Hall students.

Pratt further notes that he is delaying bringing in the Nez Perce…

Captain Richard H. Pratt forwards a monthly report of irregular employees for July 1890 to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Note: The report itself was missing when this file was scanned at the National Archives.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a supplemental request for stationery used by the United States Indian Affairs division of the Department of the Interior for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1891.