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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.
Featured story: The Habeas Corpus and Divorce Proceedings of Katie Mayes
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Filter by:
State
- Washington 21
Petition Subtype
- Carceral: immigration 21
- Carceral: public charge 21
- Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property 10
- Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 10
- Carceral: moral turpitude 3
- Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction 1
- Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction of property 1
- Carceral: advocating for unlawful distruction of property 1
- Carceral: advocating or teaching anarchy 1
- Carceral: advocating or teaching destruction 1
- Carceral: obtaining passport under false pretenses 1
- Carceral: prostitution 1
- Institutional: immigration 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 18
- Female 4
- Unindicated 1
Court Name
- Us District Court For The Western District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 18
- Us Court Of Appeals For The Ninth Circuit (Seattle Washington) 2
- Us District Court For The Northern District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 2
- United States District Court Western District Of Washington Northern Division (Walla Walla Washington) 1
- Us Circuit Court For The Ninth District Washington (Seattle Washington) 1
Points of Law Cited
- U.S. Const. amend. V. 7
- Immigration Act of February 5, 1917 2
- 1917 Immigration Act 1
- De Bruler v. Gallo, 184 Fed. 566 1
- Ekin v. United States, 142 U.S. 650 1
- Ex parte Koerna, 176 Fed. 479 1
- Ex parte Saraeno, 182 Fed. 955 1
- Fok Young Yo v. United States, 185 US 296, 305 1
- Gegow vs. Uhl, 239 U.S. 3.; Howe vs. U.S., 247 Fed. 292.; Ex parte Mitchell, 256 Fed. 229.; In re Lum Lin Ying, 59 Fed. 682; In G. N. Ry. Co. vs. Johnson, 254 Fed. 683; U.S. v. Redfern, 180 Fed. 500; U.S. vs. Suekichi, 199 Fed. 751; U.S. vs. Martin, 193 Fed. 795; Section 8375 of Remington Ballinger’s Codes; “International Law of Marriage” 1
- Hedrick vs. U.S. 16 Ct. Claims, page 88-100. 1
- Immigration Act of Feb. 20, 1907 1
- Immigration Act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stats. 1086); Nishimura Ekiu v. United States, 142 US 651, 660 1
- In re Feinkod, 47 Fed. 447 1
- In re Moola Singh, 207 Fed. 780 1
- In re O’Sullivan, 31 Fed. 447 1
- In Re Unlawful Detention of Mullah Singh and Seventy-two other Hindu Aliens, Case No. 2352 1
- Lee Moon Sing v. United States, 158 U.S. 528, Chin Yow v. United States, 208 U.S. 8 1
- Lem Moon Sing v. United States, 158 US 538 1
- Lewis v. Frick, 189 Fed. 146 1
- Martin vs. U.S. 168 Fed. 198. 1
- Nishimura Ekiu v. United States, 142 U.S. 651 1
- Prentis v. Cosmos, 196 Fed. 372 1
- Sec. 4289 ¼ JJ Compiled Statutes 1918; Act. Feb. 5, 1917; 39 Stat. at Large, 889 1
- Section 1 of the Immigration Act of Feb. 20, 1907 1
- Section 17 of the Immigration Act of Feb. 5, 1917 1
- Section 1756 R.S. U.S. 1
- Sprung vs. Martin, 182 Fed. 330. 1
- States vs. Mason, 55 N.E. 167. 1
- Taylor vs. U.S. 207 U.S. 120. 52 L. ed. 130. 1
- The Japanese Immigrant Case 189, US 86 1
- United States v. Ju Toy, 198 U.S. 253 1
- United States v. Martin, 192 U.S. 1, 1
- United States v. Rodgers, 191 Fed. 970 1
- U.S. Const. amend. IV. 1
- U.S. v. International Mer. Marine Co. 194 Fed. 408 1
- U.S. v. Rodgers, 191 Fed. 971 1
- U.S. v. Williams, 186 Fed. 354,356 1
- U.S. v. Williams, 190 Fed. 897 1
- U.S. vs. Haas, 167 Fed. 211 1
- U.S. vs. Martin, 193 Fed. 795. 1
- U.S. vs. Nakashima, 160 Fed. 842. 1
- U.S. vs. Redfern, 180 Fed, 500, 1
- U.S. vs. Schlierholz, 137 Fed. 616, 1
- U.S. vs. Smith, 124 U.S. 525. 31 L. ed. 534 1
- U.S. vs. Suekichi, 199 Fed. 751. 1
- White-Slavery Act (Mann Act); The Immigration Act of March 26, 1910 (36 Stat. 264); United States v. Sibray, 178 Fed., 148, 149; 36 CYC., p.1118; People vs. Chicago, 152 Ill. App., 546-552; 38 N.E., 746; U. S. v. Williams, 200 Fed., 541-2; U. S. v. Williams, 189 Fed., 917; Frick vs. Lewis, 195 Fed., 696; U. S. vs. Martin, 193 Fed., 797 - 8; Ex parte Saraceno, 182 Fed., 957; Ex parte Patterson, 166 Fed., 539; Chin Yow v. U. S., 208 U.S., 11; Ex parte Long Lock, 173 Fed., 208; Yamataya v. Fisher, 189 U.S., 86; 47 Law Ed., 721; In re Unlawful Detention of Mullah Singh and Seventy-two other Hindu Aliens, Case No. 2532; Ekiu v. United States, 142 U.S., 651; 35 Law Ed., 1146; United States v. Ju Toy, 198 U.S., 253; Lee Moon Sing v. United States, 158 U.S.538; Du Bruler v. Gallo, 184 Fed., 566, at 569; Williams v. U. S., 186 Fed., 479; Sinis Calchi v. Thomas, 195 Fed., 701; United States v. Williams, 175 Fed., 274; Holy Trinity vs. U.S., 143 United States, 457; William Williams vs. United States, ex rel Antonios Bougaris, 186 Fed., 479; The Japanese case in 189 U.S. page 87; Fou Yue Tin vs. United States, 149 U. S. 698; 13 Sup. Ct. 1016; 37 L. Ed. 905; United States vs. Sibray, 178 Fed. pp. 148 and 149; 39 L. Ed. 1085; United States v. Freeman, 175 Fed. 274; Gonzales v. Williams, 192 U. S. 1 1
- Yamata vs. Fisher, 189 U.S. 99 47 L. ed. 725. 1
- Yamataya v. Fisher, 189 U.S. 86 1
People
- Neterer, Jeremiah 19
- White, Henry M. 19
- Pierce, Ralph S. 12
- Saunders, Robert C. 11
- Vanderveer, George F. (George T. Vanderveer) 10
- Moore, Ben L. 6
- Wilson, William B. 6
- Harshberger, F.M. (Clerk) 4
- Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshal) 3
- Kiefer, James 3
- Allen, Clay 2
- Capers, Robert E. 2
- Crosby, Frank L. (Clerk) 2
- Cushman, Edward E. 2
- Fishburne, George P. 2
- Folsom Jr., H. D. 2
- Kolmitz, Charlotte M. 2
- Leitch, S.E. (Deputy) 2
- Post, Louis F. 2
- No Label 1
- A. Rooks (Deputy Marshall) 1
- Adams, J. W. (Notary Public); Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshall); Colligan, F. J. (Deputy U.S. Marshall) 1
- Ahdylla, Mir 1
- Ajisaka, Aisuka (Head of Tourist Party) 1
- Alam, Mohd 1
- Ali, Ahas 1
- Ali, Bagh 1
- Ali, Faizand 1
- Ali, Rahmat 1
- Ali, Sultan 1
- Alioshin, Noise 1
- Alla, Rahmat 1
- Angelique, M (Sister Superior M Angelique) 1
- Bell, William R. 1
- Berg, Carl 1
- Bisegna, Antonio 1
- Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshall) 1
- Brockway, Earl B. 1
- Burford, S. J. (Immigration Inspector); Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Young, D. H. (Notary Public) 1
- Burford, S. J. (Immigration Inspector); Young, D. H. (Notary Public); Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Kolinsky, Charlotte (Assistant United States Attorney) 1
- Burford, S.J. (Immigration Inspector) 1
- But, Ali 1
- Callahan, W. P. (Immigration Inspector); Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Young, D. H. (Notary Public) 1
- Callahan, W.P. (immigration inspector); 1
- Calligan, F. J. (Deputy) 1
- Cohen, Samuel (Surety) 1
- Crosby, Frank L. (Clerk); Jakin, Ed M. (Deputy Clerk); Thiel, C. M. (Clerk); Kecuace, S. A. (Notary Public); Hunter, B. A. (Immigration Inspector); Saito, Hana (Alleged Prostitute); Ito, K. (Witness); Umeda, K. (Witness); Washio, Shotaro (Witness); Sheesbrer, Walter A. (Notary Public); White, Alfred T. (Inspector, Signatory Witness); Saito, T. (Signatory Witness); Umeda (Head Hunter); Fisher, Thos M. (Immigration Inspector); Harris, Walter P. (Stenographer); De Bruler, Ellis (Commissioner of Immigration); Larned, F. H. (Acting Commissioner-General); Jacoby, Joseph R. H. (U. S. Marshall) 1
- Davis, P. V. 1
- De Bruler, Ellis 1
- Den, Umar 1
- Din, Chiragh 1
- Din, Ibrahim 1
- Din, Ismail 1
- Din, Madda 1
- Din, Nyzam 1
- Donnelly, E.P. (Notary Public;) Harshberger, F.M. (Clerk;) Leitch, S.E. (Deputy Clerk;) Keeman, D.A. (Notary Public;) Henning, E.J. (Assistant Secretary of Labor;) Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshal;) Cusham, Edward E. (Judge;) McCullough (Referenced in Case;) Wiggins, Thomas (Witness;) Sargent, John H. (Acting Commissioner of Immigration;) Water, Thomas (Deputy Marshal;) 1
- Doser, Trent (Stenographer) 1
- Dutton, Ethel D. (Clerk to U.S. District Court); Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Galbraith, J. H. (Witness); Ode, R. (Witness); Abel, H. V. (Notary Public); Michelson, L. A. (Notary Public); Laughlor, G. A. (Notary Public); Sargent, John H. (Acting Commissioner of Immigration); Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marhsall); Roore, A. (Deputy U.S. Marshall); Manning, Leeta D. (Deputy Clerk); Uyeno, Kiezo (Cited Person); Uyeno, Ninosuke (Father of Cited Person) 1
- Ekstrom, Edwin 1
- Eliot, S. (deputy) 1
- Emelin, Ivan 1
- Ephimoff, Jakob 1
- Fisher, Thomas M. (Immigration Inspector) 1
- Fuller, Melville (Chief Justice of U.S. Circuit Court) 1
- Gallagher, John P. 1
- Gerome, Henry G. (Interpreter) 1
- Gill, Hiram C. 1
- Hampton, Alfred (Assistant Commissioner General of Immigration) 1
- Hanford, Cornelius Holgate 1
- Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshall); Colligan, F. J. (Deputy U.S. Marshall); Callahan, W. P. (Immigration Inspector); Adams, J. W. (Notary Public) 1
- Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Callahan, W. P. (Immigration Inspector) 1
- Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Kunikichi, Shibata (Husband of Petitioner); Bellinger (Judge); Hall, Calvin S. (Judge); Marshall, C. J. (Judge); Sargent, John H. (Assistant Commissioner of Immigration); Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshall); Rooks, A. (Deputy); Young, D. L. (Notary Public); Callahan, W. P. (Immigrant Inspectors); Seidle, F. O. (Immigrant Inspectors) 1
- Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, D. E. (Deputy Clerk); Sargent, J. H. (Acting Commissioner of Labor of the United States); Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshall); Williams, Edward (Deputy U.S. Marshall); Fisher, Thomas M. (Immigration Inspector); Manning, Leeta D. (Deputy Clerk, U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington); Young, D. H. (Notary Public) 1
- Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk); Leitch, S. E. (Deputy Clerk); Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshall); Theodore, W. E. (Deputy U.S. Marshal); Parkins, Joseph (Notary Public) 1
- Harshberger, F.M. (Clerk;) Leitch, S.E. (Deputy Clerk;) Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshal;) Collegan, F.J. (Deputy Marshal;) Henning, E.J. (Assistant Secretary of Labor;) Atkins, George W. (U.S. Vice President;) Lynch, Thomas W. (Acting Commissioner of Immigration;) Rooks, A. (Deputy Marshal;) Rogers, Lalla (Notary Public;) Hampton, Alfred (Acting Commissioner-General of Immigration;) Kline, E. M. (U.S. Bureau Representative;) Wallis, Frederick A. (Commissioner of Immigration;) Fisher, Thomas M. (Immigrant Inspector;) Post, Louis F. (Assistant Secretary of Labor;) Matthews, Mike (Brother of Petitioner;) Huestis, Edward (Referenced in Case;) Cattrell, C.V. (Stenographer;) Bourland, Lillian Held (Reporter;) Risley, Theodore G. (Acting Secretary of State;) Fernie, B.C. (Referenced in Case;) Uphill, Thomas (Provincial Parliament Member;) Brand, Norton F. (American Consul;) Sargent, John H. (Acting Commissioner of Immigration;) Lloyd, C.W. (School Tax Collector;) Pendleman, E. (Friend;) Huesties (Inspector;) Wagner, J.G. (Witness;) Narajowsk, N.W. (Witness;) Barron, J.G. (Witness;) Rusell, Leo B. (Bureau of Immigration;) Husband, N. N. (Commissioner General;) 1
- Hiura, Y. (Petitioner’s Father) 1
- Holmes, Charlotte (Assistant United States Attorney); 1
- Huira, Teiichi 1
- Hunter, Benjamin A. (Inspector) 1
- Jackson, A.D.H. (Chief Clerk) 1
- Kalina, Jacob 1
- Kellogg, E.R. (Vice Consul U.S.A.) 1
- Khan, Amaret 1
- Khan, Amir 1
- Khan, Baggn 1
- Khan, Isay (Yse) 1
- Khan, Namdar 1
- Khan, Nayat 1
- Khan, Noor 1
- Khan, Sanday 1
- Khan, Shali Khar 1
- Kisil, Alex 1
- Koepfli, C. A. (Clerk) 1
- Kornilin, Gregori (Gregory) 1
- Kornilin, Ivan (father of petitioner) 1
- Kubato, Ise 1
- Kubato, Kichitaro 1
- Kumai, Takanosuke (Interpreter) 1
- Kuwahara, Hisayo 1
21 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the matter of the application of Yvonne LeFevre, Marie LeFevre, and Georgette Normand for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 11, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: public charge | Institutional: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail | deported | jumped bail
In the matter of the Unlawful Detention of Seventy-Six Hindus.
- Earliest record date: October 8, 1912
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Antonia Bisegna for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: February 14, 1908
- Petition type(s): Carceral: public charge | Carceral: immigration | Carceral: moral turpitude
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of application of K. Gregory, et al. for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: December 20, 1913
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Deported
In the matter of the application of Carl Berg for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: May 15, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Edwin Ekstrom, for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 14, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Tom Weber, for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 29, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Mike Oumpu, for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: November 29, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Frank Sulak, for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 29, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of William Reitman for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: November 29, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: advocating or teaching destruction | Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction | Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: advocating for unlawful distruction of property
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Peter Williamson Merta, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 9, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of John Lievo, for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: December 17, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Joe Martin, for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: January 8, 1919
- Petition type(s): Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Alex Kisil, for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: January 8, 1919
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the Application of Bartholomeo Massulo, for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: November 8, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: public charge | Carceral: advocating or teaching anarchy | Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Hisayo Kuwahara for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 21, 1920
- Petition type(s): Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Taka Shibata for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 12, 1920
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the petition of Hiura, Teiichi for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: July 1, 1920
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: obtaining passport under false pretenses | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the petition of Kichitaro Kubota and Ise Kubota, his wife, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 4, 1920
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of John Matthews for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 31, 1919
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: moral turpitude
In the Matter of the Application of Yaichiro Goto, otherwise known as Yaichiro Matsuo, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 21, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: moral turpitude
- Petition outcome: Petition denied
- Fate of bound party: Deported | remained in custody
