Former Student

Richard Henry Pratt objects to the gender imbalance among two incoming student groups from L. J. Miles and from the Northern Arapaho. He notes that the work details of the school are divided among the sexes and depends on an equal number of girls and boys to be fair. The current makeup of the incoming students would further imbalance the…

Richard Henry Pratt documents his trip to the Rosebud Agency where he attempted to secure ninety students for the school. He notes that after an initial meeting where this was received with much enthusiasm, he failed to gather the allotted students due to the work of the Catholic priest at the agency. Pratt claims that the priest may be opposed…

D. M. Riordan, U.S. Indian Agent for the Navajo Agency, writes to the Richard Henry Pratt on the anger of Manuelito regarding the death of his son. Manuelito asks for all of the Navajo students to be sent back from Carlisle. Riordan states that at a minimum Manuelito's son should be returned.

Pratt also states in his letter to…

Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt writes to Doctor Cornelius Rea Agnew regarding an editorial Pratt authored.  Pratt also discusses staffing changes at Carlisle, and a former student who he wishes Agnew to accept into his hospital.  This letter is part of a series of related correspondence which can be found using the Peoples tag. Transcript…

Pratt telegraphs that General J. F. B. Marshall urges that Flora Well Known and George Hill depart soon so that they can be employed as teachers in the Crow School. 

Nellie Londrosh writes to Richard Henry Pratt seeking his help in fulfilling her appointment as an assistant teacher at the Winnebago Industrial School. Londrosh documents that she arrived without orders and the Superintendent refused to place her in the position until he heard from Washington D.C. Pratt forwards the letter to the Office of…

Information regarding the funds due to the heirs of Joseph Vetter. T. F. Bayard informs the Secretary of Interior that the German Consulate does not have the funds and suggests that the name of the person who paid out the funds in 1886 be located to see if the funds are in their hands as well.

F. Marcellus Marshall writes to the Office of Indian Affairs seeking to see if Cyrus and John Dickson can return to the Carlisle Indian School. Marshall notes that the Dickson brothers have been working the railroad and on the Albuquerque school house to raise money to return to Carlisle.

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the inheritance of Joseph and Josie Vetter. Pratt claims that he forwarded the money due Joseph in February and has receipt from Joseph that he has received the payment. He further indicates that Josie's money is secured in the bank.

Additionally, Pratt notes…

Alfred John Standing responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter providing information on former students Cyrus Dickson and John Dickson (also known at the school as John Dixon). He indicates that Cyrus spent one year in the harness shop and two and half years in the carpenter shop with John spending three years in the carpenter shop.

Richard Henry Pratt endorses and forwards a letter from Esther S. Miller regarding the appointment of Miller's half-aunt as her guardian. Miller objects to the appointment and wishes her cousin to be chosen instead.

J. V. Summers, U.S. Indian Agent for the Quapaw Agency, responds to the Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding the guardianship of Esther Miller. Summers states that Susan Benjamin was appointed Miller's guardian by the general council of the Western Miami Tribe of Indians. Benjamin declined the appointment and the chiefs decided to return…

Richard Henry Pratt returns the correspondence surrounding the treatment of returned pupils to Pueblo Agencies in New Mexico. Pratt notes that he is happy to see the actions taken by the Office of Indian Affairs including the actions taken by Frank D. Lewis, U.S. Special Indian Agent, in removing and criminally charging the Governor of the…

Richard Henry Pratt refers to letter of S. Beto relative to condition of pupils of the Carlisle Indian School who returned to their homes. The enclosure is not included.

Richard Henry Pratt forwards letters from George and Lina Bushotter requesting positions as teachers in the Indian Service preferably in the Southwest. Pratt adds that George Bushotter was one of the first students he brought to the Hampton Institute and has spent many years learning as well as acquired some experience as a teacher.

Richard Henry Pratt informs the Commissioner of Indian Affairs that he has received a letter from Colonel Robert Marmon denouncing the treatment of children returned from various Training Schools by the Governor and Officials of Acoma Village. Pratt suggests sending Special Agent Lewis to investigate the claims. He also documents that there…

Richard Henry Pratt inquires about using appropriation to support former students currently enrolled at various colleges who are currently being supported by the Charity Fund at the Carlisle Indian School. Pratt notes that he has many calls on his Charity Fund and is about $5,000 in debt on account of the Gymnasium and large boys quarters…

Richard Henry Pratt responds to an Office of Indian Affairs letter regarding statements made by a public official on returned students from the Carlisle Indian School and others. Pratt also includes a letter from T. W. Potter, former Issue Clerk at the Cantonment Agency, on the same issue. The issue concerned former students in polygamous…

Letter from Assistant Superintendent A. J. Standing to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs regarding a proposed survey to be sent out to all former students. Standing suggests that the survey should consist of both a questionnaire form and a request for a separate letter for Superintendent Richard Henry Pratt.

The letters collected…

Daniel Dorchester, Superintendent of Indian Schools, returns documents related to returned Carlisle Indian School students. The documents mainly relate to the Albuquerque Indian School and an inspection that Dorchester conducted of the School that covers nearly all aspects of the school.

Also included is a reply from Richard Henry Pratt…

A series of twenty-three 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.

A series of sixteen 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.

A series of fifteen 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.

A series of twenty nine 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.