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Cases

Habeas petitions described a broad range of carceral, institutional, and interpersonal confinement over the long nineteenth century, including those used to demand due process, resist enslavement, challenge child removal and reservation confinement, avoid deportation, present child custody claims and protest child marriage, and to challenge institutionalization and detention in private and state institutions. As a legal mechanism borrowed from British common law and guaranteed as a civil right in US federal and state constitutions, habeas provides a lens on a diverse community of legal actors.

Our encoding practice allows us to identify petitions in these three categories and to indicate where those categories overlap. In addition to these three general categories, our team has identified the specific carceral charge being challenged as well as the particular forms of institutional and interpersonal confinements being questioned.

You may also browse or search petitions by location and/or jurisdiction to learn more about the myriad complaints petitioners brought before judges in Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oregon, and Washington between 1812 and 1924. Each case entry includes a full citation, a summary, links to people with a role in the case, a list of other people named, and any sites of significance. Visitors wanting access to full case files can contact the cited repository for information about obtaining copies. Those without institutional affiliations may request image scans from Dr. Jagodinsky directly. The Glossary defines the attributes used to structure data from the habeas petitions. The Code Book explains the relational structure of the data and functionality of the database website.

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Petition Type : Carceral

1385 results

In the Matter of the Application of Oliver Lachapell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 31, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: using obscene language in the presence of women | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Joe Lachapell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 31, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: using obscene language in the presence of women | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Edward Rosewater for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 2, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bribery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Phillip McGovern for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 15, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of James Nelson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 31, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawfully collecting and removing garbage, ashes, filth, and other refuse matter without a contract
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Petition of David Brown for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 7, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of Sunday Ordinance
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Priss Evans for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 10, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of John Walker for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 25, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy | Carceral: subornation of perjury | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Application of Henry Combs for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Thomas Combs and Charles Ross

  • Earliest record date: April 9, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawfully collecting and removing garbage, ashes, filth, and other refuse matter without a contract
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Thomas Ratcliff for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 30, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In Re: Petition of Charles W. Nordstrom for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 25, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deceased

In the matter of the application of Joseph Paschal for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 8, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill | Carceral: attempted murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of William Sherman for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Henry Sherman

  • Earliest record date: August 21, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In Re: F. S. Walton for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 5, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peddling without a license
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In the matter of the application of G. M. Briggs for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Engaging in a commission business without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Meyer Green for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 10, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: transferring judgment for purpose of avoiding state regulation
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the petition of Fritz Lee for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of William J. Gurley for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Garnett C. Porter

  • Earliest record date: October 11, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of George E. Daniel for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of May Andrews for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of W. S. Fuller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 4, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of William Harrison for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 19, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Fred Harris and Charles Eick for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: rape
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of George Nelson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 21, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Albert T. Ryan on behalf of Fred Bonnis for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 17, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Ernest P. Kinloch, By W. S. Summer, United States District Atty., For a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 16, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | custody transferred to third party

In the Matter of the Application of Edward Gregory for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 28, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Edward Ladd for writ of Habeas Corpus Case No:34690

  • Earliest record date: February 11, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Lewis G. Walsh for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 13, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: painting on private bill boards
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Joseph Lewis for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 1, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obstructing a street
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of James Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 4, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: posting bills or advertisements
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Andrew Knup for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 16, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of R. D. Watson for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 3, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Frances Palmer for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 18, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Fred S. Soggs for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 11, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Schuler Becker for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 7, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peddling without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the app of Florence Garrison et ux for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 2, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Fred S. Soggs for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 20, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the re-application of Thomas S. Thompson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 2, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peddling without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Max Rosenthal, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 25, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: maintaining a solicitor without having a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Imprisonment C. C. Smith Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 18, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: being a disorderly person
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Lee Fong for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 14, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: violation of city ordinance
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of George Hawkins for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 23, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Geo Nelson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 11, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of Thomas Janda and Frances Janda, for a writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of Joseph Janda, a minor under the age of 21 years

  • Earliest record date: December 2, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: desertion | Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Petition of Frank E. Sims for Habeaus Corpus for F. W. Beyer

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Petition of Frank E. Sims for Habeaus Corpus for F. W. Beyer

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of B. W. Wittekopf application for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 1, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Jeannie Du Bois for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 26, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Lee Barrington for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 24, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wanted for questioning
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
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