A newspaper article published in the Salem 'Oregon Statesman' just before the Forest Grove Indian Training School moved to its new location at Chemawa. It includes a reprint of an article published by the students in their school newspaper, the 'Indian Citizen,' about the impending move. The school newspaper article describes feelings at the school about the move, their feelings towards the residents of Forest Grove, and their belief in the success of the school. It is unclear whether this was really written by the students of the school (if so, Henry Sicade was the most likely author, being the most advanced writer), or if it was written by a faculty member.
A from a newspaper article describing the display of twelve children from the Forest Grove Indian Training School at an agricultural fair in Newberg in 1883. The article was transcribed from the Yamhill Reporter; it originally appeared in the Willamette Farmer, according to notes on the page.
A brief news article on 'Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Walker' (Levi C. Walker and Sarah 'Belle' Putnam Walker), who were visiting Chemawa School to see friends and former students. The Walkers had taught at the Forest Grove Indian Training School. The article also mentions a measles epidemic at Chemawa. The article appeared in a local newspaper, the 'Washington County Hatchet.'
A brief news article from the Forest Grove 'News-Times' describes a visit by an alumnus of the Forest Grove Indian Training School, Albert Minthorn, to Samuel A. Walker, who was a former teacher at the school. Minthorn is described as a 'wealthy farmer living on the Umatilla reservation.'
A news article from the Salem 'Oregon Statesman' newspaper announcing that the third and fourth grade students of the Forest Grove Indian Training School were moving to the school's new site in Salem. It states that other students would remain in Forest Grove until construction is finished. The article also notes the death from tuberculosis of one student, Charles Thompson, age 19.
A news article from the Salem 'Oregon Statesman' newspaper about Chief Peo of the Umatilla tribe, who was visiting two tribe members in prison. The article mentions that the house Chief Peo lived in was built by four students from the Forest Grove Indian Training School who had learned carpentry.
Short article from a local newspaper, the 'Washington Independent,' about Mr. Hudson, who was the blacksmithing teacher at the Forest Grove Indian Training School and Chemawa in the 1880s. Hudson states that 'the present location of the school at Chemawa is very unhealthy, and there is now so much prejudice against the place on account of this among the Indian trives, that new scholars are secured with great difficulty.'
A senior thesis paper written by Pacific University student Cynthia Straughan on the history of the Forest Grove Indian Training School. She discusses the creation of the first off-reservation Indian boarding school, the Carlisle School, and its relationship to the founding of the school in Forest Grove. She draws on primary sources from the Pacific University Archives to describe the aims and activities of the school.
Short note in an article from local newspaper, the 'Washington Independent,' about the newly ornamented buildings and the painted fences outside of the Indian Training School in Forest Grove.
An article written in 1959 on the history of the Chemawa Indian School beginning with its founding in Forest Grove. The article, which provides a positive view of the aims of the school, includes names and information about its early staff and students. The article is based on records from the Bureau of Indian Affairs held in the National Archives and Records Administration as well as popular press accounts. This article appeared in the journal of the the Marion County Historical Society, 'Marion County History' (1959).
An opinion article by Professor Michael Steel of Pacific University on the legacy of the Forest Grove Training School. Steele describes the destruction of native culture and the loss of children's lives that occurred at the school. He advocates for a healing ceremony to be held on campus in order to acknowledged and address Pacific University's part in supporting the Indian School. This article appeared in 'Pacific: the magazine of Pacific University' (Spring 2009).
A magazine article on the Forest Grove Indian Training School written by a Pacific University student majoring in history who also worked as an assistant in its Archives. He describes the history of the school and its relationship to Pacific University, using records from the Pacific University Archives as sources. This article appeared in 'Pacific: the magazine of Pacific University' (Spring 2009).
A senior thesis paper written by Pacific University student Arie Higgins on the history of Indian boarding schools. She discusses the first Indian Boarding School Carlisle and how it influenced the start of more boarding schools including the Indian Training School in Forest Grove.
A senior thesis paper written by Pacific University student Glenn Kinney addressing the history of the Forest Grove Indian Training School. It includes information about the rise of off-reservation boarding schools, General Oliver Howard's involvement, and the start of the Indian Boarding School in Forest Grove. It also discusses the successes and setbacks that the school faced until its removal to Salem in 1885.
A draft of a letter from trustees of Pacific University in support of keeping the Indian Training School in Forest Grove. This draft is not addressed, but the letter was probably sent to the United States Secretary of the Interior. It describes the accomplishments of the school so far, including the teaching of English (noting 'no other [language] is allowed among them'), Christianization of the students, and vocational training. The draft names five of the eleven members of the Board of Trustees as signatories: Alanson Hinman, Horace Lyman, George H. Atkinson, Obed Dickinson, and G. H. Collier.
Three transcribed letters from Henry Sicade (Puyallup), who was a student at the Forest Grove Indian Training School. They are addressed to Samuel T. Walker, who was a Sunday School superintendent there. The letters include Sicade's memories of the school regarding the teachers, the school superintendent Captain Wilkinson, and Sicade's activities after graduating. An additional transcribed letter from Walker, addressed to Professor Henry Bates of Pacific University, presents Sicade's letters to Bates, but asks for the originals back.
Inventory of records related to the Forest Grove Indian Training School and Chemawa School from the files of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The inventory was prepared by the Seattle Branch of the National Archives and Records Administration, which holds the collection. Most of the records in the inventory date from after 1900.
Cover letter from an archivist at the National Archives regarding copies of records on deaths and illnesses at Chemawa Indian School (see PUA_MS27_X.pdf). The letter is addressed to to Cynthia Straughn, a Pacific University student who was researching the Indian Training School.
Letter from the National Archives to Cynthia Straughn, a Pacific University student who was researching the Indian Training School. The letter describes student rosters and mentions that other records pertaining to the school were destroyed by water damage.
A letter from Hiram Price, a commissioner within the United States Department of the Interior, addressed to George H. Atkinson, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Pacific University. The letter discusses recent decisions made by the Secretary of the Interior regarding the location of the Indian Training School. He states that the land that had been offered thus far as a permanent site for the school was not suitable. He implies that the school will be relocated away from Forest Grove unless better land is donated.
A letter from Samuel Jordan Kirkwood of the United States Department of the Interior, addressed to George H. Atkinson, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Pacific University. It endorses a continuing relationship between Pacific University trustees and the Indian Training School.
A letter from Carl Shurz of the United States Department of the Interior, addressed to George H. Atkinson, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Pacific University. The letter acknowledges having received a report on the Indian Training School in Forest Grove. This letter dates from the first year when the school was in operation.
A letter from Carl Shurz of the United States Department of the Interior, addressed to George H. Atkinson, the Secretary of the Board of Trustees at Pacific University. The letter dates from January, 1880, several weeks before the school admitted its first students. It acknowledges the interest and support that Pacific's trustees have given to the aims of the school.
Excerpts from Mary Richardson Walker's diary related to the Forest Grove Indian School, 1879-1885. Mary is best known as one of the earliest missionaries in the Oregon Territory. Along with her husband Elkanah Walker, she went west in 1838 and settled on Spokane land at Tshimikain for ten years. After the Whitman Massacre, the Walkers moved to Forest Grove and became involved in the founding of Tualatin Academy and Pacific University. By February 1880 when the Forest Grove Indian School opened, Mary was 68 years old. Her daughter-in-law, Belle Putnam Walker, became a teacher at the Indian School. Mary visited with and hired Native students from the school, particularly Spokane children who were related to Natives she had known at Tshimakain. Her diary provides information about how the students' lives intersected with the lives of white Forest Grove residents. Transcribed by Pacific University Archivist Eva Guggemos in 2017.
