1880-1889

Richard Henry Pratt seeks authorization for his actions in allowing Lincoln to return with his father due to his health and covering the expense of the return trip.

Augustus Brosius, U.S. Indian Agent at the Great Nemaha Agency, informs Richard Henry Pratt that a group of Iowa Nation people led by Chief Kihega will be visiting Washington to decide whether to remain in Nebraska. Kihega wishes his son who is at Carlisle to accompany the delegation in order to help his father.

In addition there are two…

Charles Hatton, U.S. Indian Agent, seeks authority to cover the additional fare incurred by the return of Lincoln from Carlisle along with the Arapaho Chiefs.

Blue Horse writes to Richard Henry Pratt regarding his son who is studying at the school, stating that his son can be sent home when he is skillful enough to carry out the trade he is learning. He also inquires about getting a one horse buggy.

Estimate of funds for the second quarter of 1882 amounting to $11,445.75 for areas covering rations, the pay of employees, clothing, the farm, supplies, contingencies, and special allowance. Richard H. Pratt also requests additional funds amounting to $4,772 for regular employee pay.

American Horse asks Richard Henry Pratt if he may come to Carlisle to visit his children attending the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that he believes American Horse coming to Carlisle would help keep his children in school for another two years and he would not need to be accompanied or spied upon.…

Thomas J. Jordan, U.S. Indian Agent at the Ponca Agency inquires about enrolling James Porter at the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt seeks the authority to return home Horace, Rufus, Morgan, and Austin due to poor health from consumption and scrofula. Although the handwritten letter indicates that the students were from Pine Ridge, they were actually from the Rosebud Agency.

Richard Henry Pratt replies to an Department of Indian Affairs letter concerning the failure to return sick students back to their homes before their deaths. Pratt details two cases where students were too ill to be sent back to their homes. He further states that the initial students from the Osage Agency be returned at the end of the school…

Richard Henry Pratt inquires about a request from Chief Kihega through U.S. Indian Agent Brosius about sending two Carlisle students, Charles Kihega and Ellwood Dorian, to Washington to serve as counsel for Chief Kihega.

Richard Henry Pratt requests action on an earlier letter requesting permission to return four students home to the Pine Ridge Agency due to ill health.

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to return Mary, a member of the Sioux Nation, home to the Pine Ridge Agency due to ill health along with the party previously mentioned.

J. M. Haworth documents the visit of the Iowa Chiefs to Carlisle. He notes that he brought many of the students to Carlisle a few years earlier and comments on the many differences in the students over the course of their time at Carlisle.

Two Strike requests permission to visit his son at the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt requests a reduction in various rations in order to purchase additional cows for providing a greater milk supply to students. Pratt cites a visit from Dr. Cornelius Rea Agnew and his recommendation that for a healthy student body students be allowed to drink as much milk as they want in the morning and evening. To follow…

Richard Henry Pratt requests permission to send Irvine, a member of the Comanche Nation, home due to poor health. Pratt notes that Na as toe and Big Man are leaving for their agency soon and can accompany Irvine home.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a request from Wichita Chief Na has toe and Big Man for a set of spring wagon and harness. Pratt documents his history working with Na has toe during his Army experience and recommends fulfilling the request.

Special Agent E. B. Townsend recommends that Indian Agent L. J. Miles direct the group of Osage and Kaw children to be sent to Carlisle be sent to a station on the Missouri Pacific Railroad in order to allow them to leave from Muskogee rather than Arkansas City in order to save costs.

Richard Henry Pratt recommends Indian Agent John D. Miles for the new position of Inspector of Schools in the Indian Service.

The father of Moses Nonway requests that his son be returned to his home in order to help him on his farm due to his poor health. Richard Henry Pratt believes that the request should be approved and sent home along with Charles Somains with U.S. Indian Agent E. Stephens.

Chris Burns inquires about sending his three children to Carlisle to be educated. Richard Henry Pratt forwarded the Commissioner of Indian Affairs with instructions on establishing precedent in such cases. Pratt proposes that white fathers pay some expenses towards the education of their children.

Lieutenant General P. H. Sheridan writes that 21 Navajo women and children have been taken prisoner and are being held at Fort Wingate. He notes that General Pope proposes sending the children to the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt writes that the initial delegation of students from the Pine Ridge and Rosebud Agencies terms of enrollment are set to expire and requests authorization for funds to return them. Pratt notes that many of the students wish to remain but that their parents desire them to return home. He writes that many of the older students…

Richard Henry Pratt refers to his previous letter informing the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that only 25 students will stay on at Carlisle. As a result Pratt seeks approval for the expense of returning the remaining students to their homes in the current fiscal year.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a letter from Standing Bear after his arrival at the Carlisle Indian School. In the letter Pratt notes that Standing Bear believes that the school should return the children for the summer but that many of the younger ones are likely to be back in the fall. He also notes that Standing Bear wishes for the government…