Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-07-18
CARLISLE SCHOOL
HISTORIC PLACE
Gen. r. III. Pratt Was Founder
of the Famous Training
School For Indians

OCIIOOl TOT lIluldllo
Carlisle. Ra., July 1s.-Much specu-
lation has been caused here by the
announcement that the Carlisle In
dian School. famous for 81 years as
government institution for the
training of redmen is to be abandon
ed for this purpose and is to be Civ
en- to the War Department for use.
1t is understood here that the plan
is to make Carlisle the center for
big rehabilitation hospital.
Officials at the Indian School are
note yet aware of the extent of the
changes or when they will take place
and are anXiously awaiting an
nouncement of the plans.
The Carlisle School has been prom
inent in national affairs for nearly 40
years and many of the most famed
Indians of the present day have been
graduated from the local school. 1t
has sent a number of men into the
present service, the latest to go be-
ing John Francis, Jr., superintendent
for fifteen months. who was COM
missioned first lieutenant in the
United States Army. being succeed
ed by Claude V. Peel
The site of the Carlisle school is
one OF historic interest. 1t was used
in the Revolutionary War as a bar
racks and training center and was
the site of the famous Washington
burg, where munitions for the Con-
tinental Army were manufactured.
Hessian prisoners were kept here
Il -. n asnl
still stands. Major Andre was kept
there for some weeks prior to his eX-
ecution. Later it became a Govern
ment army post and was so maintain
ed until the late sixties. During the
invasion by Lee in 1863, the barracks
were shelled and burned, but some
of the buildings were later rebuilt
Thirty mine years ago, Captain
now Brigadier General r. II. Pratt
u. s. A, retired. brought the first
party of Indians here and founded the
school. He was for many years the
superintendent and was succeeded by
Major Mercer. the latter being fol-
lowed by Moses Friedman, later by
o. II. Lipps, now general supervisor
of Indian Schools. Lieutenant Francis
and Mr.. Peel.
In spite of several efforts to have
the West, il has been maintained
here. The number of pupils now at
the school is about 400 the majority
being in all parts of Pennsylvania and
New Jersey under the outing sys-
TEN.
The passing of the famous Carlisle
(Indian School recalls the spendid
work of General r. H. Pratt. its
founder. who is we'll known to many
Harrisburg people. He was the life
and inspiration of the institution and
gave it its momentum at time when
his theories were much criticised.
Colonel Pratt, then commander of
a body of soldiers acting as guard OF
Geronimo and other Indian prisoners
at the old fort in st. Augustine,
Florida, years ago. became impressed
with the thought that something
good could be done for the Indians
in the way of education and proper
environment. His theory was that de-
tachment from tribal surroundings
and a fair chance among white people
would work marvellous changes in
the Indian character. He proved that
his theory was correct. Thousands
of the finest Indian boys and girls
have been sent out of the Carlisle
School to engage in useful profess
sional, business and other occupa-
tions.
He was given possession of the old
Carlisle barracks in 1882, about $50
Indian boys and girls being sent as
the first body of students. Later the
student body averaged about 1000
a year. The first girls and boys
came from the most remote tribes
and the people of Carlisle still recall
their savage and unkempt appear
ance on their arrival at the barracks.
General Pratt continued in charge
of the school for many years and his
name will always be associated with
that great work. His retirement as
the head of the institution was deep
ly regretted by all interested in In
dian education. He was an ideal
leader and to this day the Indians
speak of him with love and admira-
tion. AS an Indian fighter on the
frontier in the earlier days he had
earned their respect and later as
their leader he became their guide
and mentor.
Manifestly the closing of the insti-
tuition has been no secret among
those who are familiar with its re-
cent history. For years an effort has
been made to close the Scnool DN
those interested in the reservation
system, but strong influences always
prevented. Not long ago. Superin-
tendent Francis enlisted in the army
and a few days ago V. T. Peale. the
chief clerk was appointed disbursing
officer of the Indian funds.
The outing system was the factor
that worked out the salvation of the
Indian students. Every summer
thousands of them were sent out to
farms and other occupations. return
ing to the school in the Fall. There
are at present about 500 connected
with the school. half of whom are
now on farms and in other occupa-
tions for the summer months. These
will be transferred to other schools.
1t is understood the school will be
closed on the first of September and
the buildings will be turned over to
the Government for hospital uses.
The property embraces about 300
acres of the finest land in the Cum
berland Valley. 1t has been suggest
ed that it may become an army bar
racks after the war as it was for
many years before the Civil War.
and during that period
Insures Dyspeptics
A:~L