Research

Scope and Content Note

The series consists of statistical reports for each farm or garden product raised at the school. Chapter 162 of the Laws of 1875 reorganized the Thomas Asylum for Orphan and Destitute Indian Children and provided for its management and maintenance. The law appointed managers to furnish the children with care, moral training, education and "instruction in husbandry." Managers were required to report annually to the legislature on the institution's condition, and to account "in detail of the receipt and disbursement of all monies" relating to the institution.

Separate monthly reports for each product give a daily account of quantity produced and its disposition. Dispositions include "institutional" (consumed at the school), transfer to another department at the school or to another state institution, and increase in livestock. Reports also indicate the market value of produce. There are no records in the series for 1933-1940.

Some examples of products for which reports were compiled are: milk; chicken; pork; eggs; tomatoes; onions; apples; grapes; oats; and corn silage.