Abram J. Smith Testimonials

Abram Smith, from Oneida reservation, Green Bay, Wisconsin, stated that he had been at the School two years and was not at all satisfied in view of the promises made to him when he was taken from the Reservation. He was told if he came here he could take up any study he pleased. These promises have not been fulfilled. Smith said he came here with the intention of studying a year in Arithmetic and Language, so that he could get along with it, and then learn a trade. In the second year he told Colonel Given he would rather work if he could get something to do. Given told him if he would make a vacancy for someone else to go to the public school he would get him work. Smith’s name was taken off the public school rolls, but he did not get any work. Finally Smith managed to get in with a harness maker to learn the trade. He was with the man two weeks and a half. The first week he was paid one dollar and a half, and then was told by the man that he could not pay him more than one dollar a week. Smith was unwilling to continue at this rate and left. Smith stated that he had been loafing at the School since last June with nothing whatever to do. When he has spoken to Given about getting work, the Colonel would reply “have patience and I will get you work.”

9 page handwritten letter from Abram J. Smith to Chas. Dickson 9/11/1899 re Educational Home

Newtown Penna. Sept. 7, 1899

Chas. H. Dickson, Indian Office, 130 ? S. Arch St., Phila.

Dear Sir:

Your letter was received Aug. 30. I receive letters so seldom that I go to post office but twice a week. This prevented ?a prompt reply.

My first experience of ill treatment towards the pupils was in Sept. 1896, by Mr. Jackson then Superintendent.

There were four boys who left school with the intention of returning to their home. They were dissatisfied with the place, for they were not attending school or doing any trade work and this idling their time away like the majority of the pupils. After a few days departure, they returned. The superintendent ordered them to appear before the whole school and to strip off their clothes to their waist. The lashes were twenty and twenty five. The lashes were so terrific as to cause a swelling and some broke out on their backs. It was reported and shortly after the superintendent left. He was succeeded by Mr. Henry Mercer, who remained but a short time. Then was followed by Rob. Samuel I. ? Givin in the spring of 1897.

As usual, the pupils of the school expected to receive summer clothes. But on the contrary they received none, when in previous years we received two sets of summer underwear. In order that every boy might have a full set of clothes to wear, those who had more was taken from them and given to those who lacked, and thus it continued for two years, without a change of underwear.

The uniforms which was given to us in the spring of 1898 was the only suit given us since this suite was to be worn for Sundays and holidays. There being but one suit for each boy, so as pupils arrived and others left these suits were changed about and given to those it fit best.

From a continual exchange of the suits it was believed that a disease has derived from it. As far as food is concerned it was never properly cooked or sufficient. The only days we received proper food would be such days when visitors were around or expected. There has always been insufficient amount of supplies arriving weekly for the Home. But it was thought the carelessness of the Supt. And Matron that it as not taken to food. Often have seen carried out, waste meat and spiled vegetables which has kept where for their own use or was purposely kept from us. In the fall of 1897.

Those who were to attend the pupil’s school was given them, a more decent clothes than others and were expected to last all the year. Soon the shoes and clothing wore out. Some left school and others bought their own necessary needs.

One of the boys died from not sufficient clothes to wear. The boys left the public school and also Educational Home, with the intention of carrying money to buy shoes. For several days he was confined? To sleep out in the open air. Finally a friend took him in and changes his clothes. Brought back to school and was handcuffed for a week and deprived of entering? The Public School again. Shortly after his leave from punishment, he took to sickness and in a few weeks he died.

I will also mention in regards to cleanliness.

The place was once in most filthy condition. The floor & walls were full of holes, steam pipes leaking and nowhere to warm ourselves at winter. The floor which were mostly of cement for our amusement were cleaned as often as visitors were expected. Things may now differ. But it is only since the management of the place was exposed to outside people. Should it be necessary for me to explain any future I shall be best of my ability.

Your request is why I sought a transfer to Carlisle.

When the request was sent to Commissioner of Indian Affairs for our transfer, I preferred Hampton Institute. My reason for a transfer was to try to better and improve myself in education and more over in mechanical industry of which I was deprived of at Educational Home. But since I have been admitted into Carlisle School. I do not at all regret.

I remain ever yours truly

Abram J. Smith

Typewritten letter from Abram J. Smith to Mr. Sniffen dated Feb. 3, 1899 (p. 71 of the NARA record)

Indian School, Carlisle, Penna. February 3, 1899

Mr. Sniffen,

Dear Sir:

Time is very precious here to this school, in comparison to that of the Educational Home, so that I scarcely have time to inform friends of my new home. For this new home I return thanks to you for your kindness in aiding me to be transferred to this school. At the very first sight of the buildings it cheered me to know that I was now in a respectable place. I only wish the rest of the boys would understand the advantages of this school or Hampton. Unless the Educational Home is still farther improved and that the Over ? take more interest in the education of the boys than they do for the saving of the appropriation, then it may equal other Indian Schools in some respects. I have not much time to tell you about the school only that I appreciate in all the management of the students for they are treated like gentlemen and no partiality shown to anyone. I am well and hope you are the same. Just before closing, I should like to ask you whether you know anything about the Oneida’s treaty; such as, what is called the Kansas Claim, and oblige,

Yours truly,

Abram J. Smith

Document History

• Transcribed by HS 2025-07-27