In the matter of the application of Arthur Treichel, minor on the part of Marie Holz and Adolph Holz for a writ of Habeas Corpus
October 2, 1919
- October 15, 1919
Petitioned on October 4, 1919
Filed before the Douglas County District Court (Omaha, Nebraska)
Case ID: hc.case.ne.1283
Case Summary
Arthur Treichel was born on Christmas Day, 1917, to Maude P. and August Treichel. Census records indicate that he had an older brother named Julius, but we know even less about his fate than we do about Arthur's. He was born into a fractured family: Although his parents were still married, they lived separately. A few years after his son's birth, in May 1919, August left his wife and children for "parts unknown." In that same month, Maud gave Arthur to his aunt and uncle, Adolph and Marie Holz, and set off for California. Both were immigrants from Germany. But little Arthur's troubles didn't end there: In February 1919, Adolph Holz fell ill, confined to his bed and unable to work. As census records indicate the family survived off of odd jobs Adolph did around the neighborhood, this must have plunged the family into desperation. Feeling that she could no longer support the child, Marie surrendered her nephew to the Child's Saving Institute. However, when Adolph recovered, Marie went to ask for her ward back, but the officials at the Institute refused. Time and again, Marie returned, but each time they refused, giving a different reason each time. Finally, on October 4, 1919, the couple filed a writ of habeas corpus, demanding that the Institute and its leaders produce Treichel in court on October 6. The Douglas County sheriff and his deputy went to the Institute, but there was no Arthur Treichel to be found, and so the case was dismissed—to add insult to injury, the Holzes also had to pay the court costs.
Case Information
Petition type(s)
Petition subtype(s)
Sites of significance
Outcome
Writ allowed
Fate of bound party
Dismissed
Case Citation
Douglas County District Court, Omaha, NE, RG230: Douglas County Records, Subgroup 10: District Court, 1855-1972, Series: Criminal Appearance Docket Books, Vol. 21: ca. 1919, p. 634; Douglas County District Court, Omaha, NE, RG230: Douglas County Records, Subgroup 10: District Court, 1855-1972, Series 7: Criminal Case Files, 1897-1920, Reel 87: Doc. 21-605 to 21-724, Sep. 18, 1919 - Nov. 6, 1919, No. 21-634
Source material(s)
Docket |
Case File
Length of case file
Between 11 and 20 pages
Repository(s)
State
Tag(s)
- Children
- Institutionalization
