Enrollment Policies

Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs regarding a desire by the Secretary of the Interior to increase enrollment at Carlisle. Pratt suggests that a number of new rules be adopted regarding students' ages, gender ratio, and health. Pratt also suggests that the children of chiefs and headmen be preferred, to ensure good…

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 notes that with the upcoming return of 86 students to their homes the school will be able to accommodate 175 new students in the fall. Pratt notes that there are already 20 students from the Osage Nation and 25 from the Omaha Nation. He believes that many the remaining students could be brought in from the Sioux Nation or…

Richard Henry Pratt details the number of students he is able to accept from various Indian Agencies including the Rosebud, Pine Ridge, Kiowa and Comanche, Pawnee and Ponca, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho. Pratt provides instructions as to the preferred age and gender composition of the students and notes that he has already arranged for…

The U.S. Indian Agent for the Cheyenne and Arapaho Agency asks if there are restrictions for sending students to the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt replies to Office of Indian Affairs circular number 21 in regards to securing pupils for the large industrial schools. Pratt provides his opinion on the eligibility of students for enrollment at Indian training schools as well as the view that the transfer should be considered a reward for the most capable students. Pratt…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards copy of letter outlining requirements for enrollment to the Santee Agency. Pratt notes that he has funds remaining in his transportation funds to cover the costs.

Richard Henry Pratt writes to the Office of Indian Affairs regarding bringing a party of students from the Blackfeet Agency. In addition, he discusses his plan to have agents organize parties of students, because their knowledge of the individuals involved can better protect the school if they act fairly. Pratt then provides his guidelines for…

Richard Henry Pratt forwards a letter from Henry A. Kennerly regarding an order from the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that discouraged the transfer of mixed blood students to Carlisle. Kennerly notes that unless this order is modified he could not come up with a party of students.

Pratt adds that while he agrees with the sentiment of…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs that he has received a letter from David S. Keck, a Supervisor of Education in the Indian Service, that he has orders to bring 100 students to Carlisle and that some of them have never attended school. Pratt notes that Keck's orders would completely cover the incoming class of students…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to a telegram from Thomas J. Morgan regarding his request that Carlisle take 75 Seneca students. Pratt notes that with the present enrollment plus those he has already accepted would put his enrollment at 782 with others to come. In addition, Carlisle will already have 79 students from New York which is more than he…

A. W. Ferrin, U.S. Indian Agent for the New York Agency, forwards a letter from M. F. Trippe, regarding religion among the Tuscarora. Ferrin ends his note that students for Carlisle are not questioned regarding their religion but only conform to the physical and moral requirements set by Carlisle.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to a request from Betsy White for the return of her grandson Ely S. Parker from the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he has made an inspection of the kitchen and dining room and interviewed students and found no complaints among the students. He also provides the weight of the students from the Seneca Nation…

Richard Henry Pratt provides an update on the enrollment for the 1894 school year. He further states that the Carlisle Indian School often receives students who should not have been sent and that an employee of the school should be sent to obtain students rather than have them sent by the agencies.

F. Glenn Mattoon forwards a letter from Richard Henry Pratt requesting his assistance in having Ella Rickert obtaining students from the Fort Berthold Agency. Mattoon requests that the Agency be allowed to retain all of its students.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter requesting information on the enrollment of Benjamin Green and that there are no members of the Five Civilized Tribes enrolled at the Carlisle Indian School.

Alfred John Standing provides Antonio Apache authorization to recruit students for the Carlisle Indian School at the Fort Apache and San Carlos Agencies. Standing provides information on how to select students as well as how to provide the correct government forms.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards correspondence related to the Dagg children enrolling at the Carlisle Indian School to the Office of Indian Schools. It is desirable to send the children to a school at a distance, but Pratt would rather not accept them because two of the four are quite young. 

Richard Henry Pratt requests the continuance of the education of 164 students who are over the age of 21 at the Carlisle Indian School.

Richard Henry Pratt requests authority to retain Daniel Eagle as a student even though he is 24 years old and so above the age limit. Pratt shares that Eagle wishes to forward his education and attend the local commercial college when he is qualified for it. 

Richard Henry Pratt proposes the Office of Indian Affairs send out instructions banning the enrollment of students who have runaway from another non-reservation school. He particularly notes a previous case related to the Haskell Institute.

Richard Henry Pratt replies to an Office of Indian Affairs Circular No. 54 regarding transferring pupils to non-reservation schools. Pratt also encloses a letter from Edgar A. Allen on the same subject.

Edgar A. Allen responds to an Office of Indian Affairs circular by answering various questions. In particular he focuses on the industrial training of the school, the outing system, and provides details on the transportation costs incurred in bringing students to Carlisle.

Richard Henry Pratt requests to delay implementing the order to return students with one eighth or less Indian blood until July due to limited finances and to allow three students to finish their course of enrollment.

Richard Henry Pratt requests to keep Oscar Davis through February in order to allow him to graduate despite being covered by the discharge order of the Office of Indian Affairs.