1880-1889

Acting Secretary of the Interior A. Bell encloses to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs agreements allowing Richard Henry Pratt to rent 10 acres of land from Annie and Laura Alexander and allowing Pratt to rent 8 acres of land from Benjamin Sanno. The land, which will be rented for a full calendar year, is intended for "agricultural industry…

Richard Henry Pratt provides a list to the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affair of the students to be returned home at the request of Sioux chiefs. Assistant matron Zoe McKenzie will accompany them, particularly to care for Thomas.

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

Richard Henry Pratt informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge that he would like students to have outings on farms located in Berkshire and Hampshire counties in Massachusetts. According to Pratt's plan, the Bureau of Indian Affairs would pay for the students' transit while students would pay for their food and washing expenses.…

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Office of Indian Affairs that he hired Zoe McKenzie to serve as an interpreter and assistant matron when he brought Sioux students to the Carlisle Indian School in 1879. Pratt notes that he paid her a monthly salary of $10 and covered her expenses and requests authority from Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E.…

Estimate of funds for the third quarter of 1880 amounting to $8,805 for areas covering subsistence, employee pay, clothing, supplies, and contingencies. Two explanatory cover letters are attached.

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

Richard Henry Pratt requests returning party should remain at the Carlisle Indian School until the Sioux chiefs arrive. Pratt notes this will prolong their railroad tickets until the June 23rd.

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

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks regarding Brooks' decision to not allow Pratt to purchase tents or take his students to camp in the mountains over the summer. Pratt tells Brooks that he had already discussed the plan with Commissioner R. E. Trowbridge, who was very receptive to the idea, and…

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs that White Thunder would like his sister-in-law as his second wife, but she is not interested. She is currently a student at the Carlisle Indian School, but there are reports of her mother dying. Before she leaves the school to be with her mother, she'd like to know if she…

Richard Henry Pratt informs Acting Commissioner of Affairs E. J. Brooks that Hart's party left this afternoon.

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 informs Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks that Chief Spotted Tail would like to return his children, one grandchild, and one other relative currently enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School to their homes at his own expense. Pratt believes he should be able to return his children home but not his grandchild…

Richard Henry Pratt informs Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks that the party has left, and Spotted Tail took his children and grandchildren home.

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…

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 asks Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks if he will accept his request to place a party of students in Massachusetts for the summer.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt tells Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks to let Charles Ohettoint go and that it won't disturb the Carlisle Indian School if the party returns.

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…

Inspector E. C. Cooper informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge that he's inspected tinware samples, like coffee boilers, funnels, cups, and pails that were made by Carlisle Indian School students and finds that they're as good, if not better, than the tinware that the Bureau of Indian Affairs uses. Cooper requests that the…

Lieutenant in Charge Richard H. Pratt submits an estimate of tools and material amounting to $1,400 needed for the Carlisle Indian School to build wagons and carriages.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt writes to Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge regarding a delay in approval for his request for a $6,000 general heating system at the Carlisle Indian School.

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

Richard Henry Pratt requests $350 to paint the tin roofs on the Carlisle Indian School's buildings. Pratt adds that the roofs have been in disrepair since the school began.

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, "…

Richard Henry Pratt informs Acting Commissioner of Indian Affairs E. J. Brooks that during their recent visit the Kiowa, Comanche, Apache and Wichita chiefs told him that they would like more of their children enrolled at the school. In particular, Pratt writes that he promised Chief Tsodearko to intercede with the Bureau and ask for permission…

Richard Henry Pratt states that the "long pending Ute matter" is almost finished, meaning that they will be able to recruit 50 students from that nation. Pratt requests to recruit these students himself.

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

Richard Henry Pratt forwards answers and explanations to the Office of Indian Affairs' exceptions and suspensions on his accounts for June-July 1879 and the third quarter of 1879.

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…

Richard Henry Pratt provides a report on the health of several Rosebud Sioux students. He informs Commissioner of Indian Affairs R. E. Trowbridge that Thigh's son is suffering from tapeworm, and Pratt will send him home if he's still sick when Reverend Robinson, a missionary from Rosebud who's visiting the school, returns to the agency. Kills…

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to cover his traveling expenses from his trip to New York to show the Carlisle Indian School's manufactured goods.

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 request the authority to buy an annual supply of coal, approximately 400 tons, for $2,280.00. Pratt notes that he normally purchases coal monthly, but he'd rather buy a full year's supply to avoid having it shipped in the winter.

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

C. W. Kise applies to be the Carlisle Indian School physician. Kise includes a petition and letter recommendation in support of his application.

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…