Matlack was a former student of the Carlisle School for almost a decade that first left in 1892. In a letter between Montezuma and Matlack, Montezuma is wondering the reason behind his sudden departure from his role in the school in 1907. Matlack tells Montezuma that he was tired of the work, figuring he had been in the Indian Service long enough. Coming on the heels of Pratt’s retirement/removal from the school, Matlack assures that it was not because of Capt. Mercer’s tactics and that Matlack still holds Mercer in high regard. A member of the Pawnee Nation, Matlack returned home to Oklahoma after his work at the Carlisle School.
