Thomas J. Roulard Testimonial

1899.45029 p. 79 of NARA record (#97 in top right corner)

December 1898

Thomas J. Roulard, Santee Agency, Nebraska applied to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs to be sent to a good school. The Commissioner wrote to Colonel Given, who wrote to Roulard, stating that the Educational Home gave a good thorough business course.  Roulard stated that he had attended Hampton for three years (93-96), and had been at the Indian schools at Flandreau, S.D., and Haskell Institute, Kansas; that the food furnished at these schools was better in every way, in quantity and quality.  With regard to the food he stated that the meat frequently smelled, and things in general could not at all be compared to what they got at Hampton.

Speaking of the teaching he compared the Educational Home with Hampton Institute, and said that at the latter place they had a graded course which led up to the Normal Department; that the teaching here was sixth or seventh grade, that the teachers did not seem to be able to properly instruct the boys; that for example, at the School in studying Arithmetic they are not given a book but the problems are worked out on the board. There did not seem to be any regular hour for study at all.

When asked about the forms and method of punishment, Roulard stated he had seen Leonard strike the pupils with his fist. When he reached here he was told by Colonel Given he could go to school for some time at the Home, and then attend public school; that most of the older boys gained their education from the public school.

The Government appropriates one hundred and sixty-seven dollars for each pupil attending the Educational Home. Roulard was asked if he had seen any of the Board of Visitors at the Home while he was there. He said he had not. When he first went to the School he used to see them, but now the only person he has seen is Mrs. Coxe [sic]. If the Board of Managers has come they do not go through the School.

When the boys go to Colonel Given about any matters they are treated in a rough and harsh manner. Given hardly speaks to them civilly. They are made to feel that it is a great condescension on Given’s part to notice them, and a great privilege for them to enter his office.

Document History

• Transcribed by HS 2025-07-27