« Back to Explore
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
Basic Search
Simply enter the word you wish to find and the search engine will search for every instance of the word in the journals. For example: Fight. All instances of the use of the word fight will show up on the results page.
Wildcard Searches
Using an asterisk (*) will increase the odds of finding the results you are seeking. For example: Fight*. The search results will display every instance of fight, fights, fighting, etc. More than one wildcard may be used. For example: *ricar*. This search will return most references to the Aricara tribe, including Ricara, Ricares, Aricaris, Ricaries, Ricaree, Ricareis, and Ricarra. Using a question mark (?) instead of an asterisk (*) will allow you to search for a single character. For example, r?n will find all instances of ran and run, but will not find rain or ruin.
Capitalization
Searches are not case sensitive. For example: george will come up with the same results as George.
Phrase Search
Searching for a specific phrase may help narrow down the results. Rather long phrases are no problem. For example: "This white pudding we all esteem".
Subsequent Searches
Because of the creative spellings used by the journalists, it may be necessary to try your search multiple times. For example: P?ro*. This search brings up numerous variant spellings of the French word pirogue, "a large dugout canoe or open boat." Searching for P?*r*og?* will bring up other variant spellings. Searching for canoe or boat also may be helpful.
Filter by:
State
- Nebraska 50
- Washington 18
Petition Subtype
- Carceral: immigration 12
- Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property 9
- Carceral: public charge 8
- Carceral: vagrancy 8
- Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 8
- Institutional: public health detention 8
- Carceral 7
- Interpersonal: child custody 5
- Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor 4
- Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor 4
- Institutional: seeking exemption from draft 4
- Carceral: disorderly conduct 3
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 3
- Carceral: prostitution 3
- Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction of property 2
- Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home 2
- Carceral: wanted for questioning 2
- Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction 1
- Carceral: advocating for unlawful distruction of property 1
- Carceral: advocating or teaching destruction 1
- Carceral: cause unspecified 1
- Carceral: conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act 1
- Carceral: drunkenness 1
- Carceral: espionage act 1
- Carceral: grand larceny 1
- Carceral: social disease 1
- Carceral: suspicion of draft evasion 1
- Carceral: treason 1
- Carceral: unlawful detention 1
- Institutional: conscription 1
- Institutional: convent 1
- Institutional: insanity 1
- Institutional: vagrancy 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 50
- Female 17
- Unindicated 2
Age of Bound Party
- Adult 48
- Unindicated 14
- Minor 6
Race of Bound Party
- Unindicated 61
- Greek 3
- Russian 2
- German 1
- Italian 1
Points of Law Cited
- U.S. Const. amend. V. 5
- Ordinance No. 9852 2
- 1917 Immigration Act 1
- Angelus v. Sullivan et al. US Circuit Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit 1
- Application of Victor Larrucea for a Writ of Habeas Corpus before the District Court of the US in for the Southern District of California, Southern Division 1
- City of Omaha, Ordinance No. 9852 - Making it unlawful to expose another to venereal infection. 1
- Cubyluck v. Bell, US District Court, Eastern District of New York (DOJ Bulletin No. 28) 1
- Espionage Act, Section 3 1
- Nebraska State Statutes Page 450 Section 56 1
- Omaha City Ordinance #9852 - Making it unlawful to expose others to venereal disease (full copy of ordinance in case file) 1
- Omaha City Ordinance No. 9853, that it is unlawful for any person to expose others to infection, and must submit to examination (full text included in CF) 1
- Petition of Trinkhoff before the US District Court, Northern District of Illinois 1
- Section 2, Chapter 146, Session Laws of 1917 1
- Section 37 Code of the Revised Statutes of the United States (Espionage Act) 1
- Selective Service Act, Sec. 135 1
- Selective Service Law 1
- Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Italy, Rules XXXVI and XXVII of the Selective Service Regulation 1
- U.S. Const. amend. IV. 1
People
- Smith, Robert (Clerk) 41
- Redick, William A. 36
- Steere Jr., Asel (Deputy) 34
- Clark, Michael L. 27
- Clark, Michael L. (sheriff) 13
- Neterer, Jeremiah 12
- Pierce, Ralph S. 12
- White, Henry M. 12
- Foster, W. A. 11
- Vanderveer, George F. (George T. Vanderveer) 11
- Magney, George A. (County Attorney) 10
- Estelle, Lee S. 9
- Manning, Ernest T. (Ernest C.) 9
- Fitzgerald, James M. (James J.) 8
- Saunders, Robert C. 8
- Moore, Ben L. 7
- Sears, Willis G. 7
- Briggs, John 6
- Cushman, Edward E. 6
- Dempsey, Michael F. 6
- Foster, W. A. (Deputy) 6
- Macfarland, John M. 6
- Madden, Ray J. 6
- Bumbaugh, Edward R. (Notary Public) 5
- Horrigan, Daniel H. (Daniel H. Harrigan) 5
- Magney, George A. 5
- Boyle, John M. (U.S. marshal) 4
- Crosby, Frank L. (clerk) 4
- Harshberger, F.M. (clerk) 4
- Wilson, William B. 4
- Bremers, R. H. 3
- Burger, John M. (Complainant) 3
- Day, L. B. 3
- Eberstein, Marshall 3
- Fishburne, George P. 3
- Folsom Jr., H. D. 3
- Greene, H. A. (Green) 3
- Hoye, Charles W. (Deputy) 3
- Huggins, Alice (deputy clerk) 3
- Lovely, William E. 3
- Morearty, J. F. (Notary Public) 3
- Murray, J. B. (Complainant) 3
- Murray, Thomas B. 3
- O'Keefe, T. J. (Y. J.) 3
- Bell, William R. 2
- Bowes, H. H. 2
- Boyle, John M. 2
- Britt, C. W. 2
- Burford, S.J. (Immigration Inspector) 2
- Callahan, W.P. (immigration inspector); 2
- Dahlan, James C. (Mayor and President of City Council) 2
- Eliot, S. (deputy) 2
- Fitzgerald, James M. (Judge of Police Court) 2
- Foster, W. A. (Notary Public) 2
- Harrington, Gerald F. 2
- Harshberger, F. M. (clerk) 2
- Harshburger, F. M. (clerk) 2
- Holmes, George 2
- Horton, Richard S. 2
- Hoyt, R. C. (clerk) 2
- Leitch, S.E. (Deputy) 2
- Leslie, Charles 2
- Lindburg, Lorene (notary public) 2
- Lovely, Joe M. (Notary Public) 2
- McGaffee, Robert (Deputy) 2
- Mixon, William A. 2
- Morearty, Edward F. (Ed. F.) 2
- O'Connor, T. J. (City Clerk) 2
- Olsen, George R. 2
- Payne, Ike 2
- Porter, George C. (George Clark Porter) 2
- Smith, Robert (Clark) 2
- Steinwender, Paul F. (Notary Public) 2
- Strong, George V. 2
- Suepwisk, J. B. (Deputy) 2
- Vanous, Anton 2
- Woodrough, Joseph William 2
- 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
- Ahrendersen, C. P. (Witness) 1
- Alexsa, Joseph 1
- Allen, Thomas S. 1
- Anderson, Charles F. (Deputy) 1
- Anderson, Charles O. (Notary Public) 1
- Anderson, Emma (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Anderson, Svend (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Astleford, Walter (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Barry, Blanche 1
- Baseline, Herman (Wholesale Cigar Dealer, Witness for Petitioner) 1
- Bastian, Clarence (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Battin, John Wilson (Notary Public) 1
- Berg, Carl 1
- Berger, Alta (Alta Burger) 1
- Berger, John M. (City Prosecutor) 1
- Bernat, Charles (Petition for writ cited in order) 1
- Berry, Bessie 1
- Biddiscombe, Henry 1
- Bierman, Rudalph (Jurist) 1
- Bloom, John (Witness) 1
- Boiler, Bill (alleged co-conspirator) 1
- Boorman, H. M. (Notary Public of Cass County, Iowa) 1
68 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the matter of the application of Rudolph Tschahle for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: December 23, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: advocating for unlawful destruction of property | Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from 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 Sam Walton for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 13, 1918
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Mrs. Alice Stanley for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 13, 1918
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- 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 Pearl Wilson for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 2, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: disorderly conduct
- Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Henry Slack for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 2, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: disorderly conduct
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
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 William A Mixon for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 14, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wanted for questioning
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Joseph Hansen for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 14, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Charles Jackson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 19, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
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 Martin DeWall for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: July 13, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property
- 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 William A. Mixon for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 13, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wanted for questioning | Carceral: suspicion of draft evasion
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Pete Wolf for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 26, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Frank Diblasco for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 15, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Mary Larkovich known as Mary Karkovich for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 31, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Joe Petrovick for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 31, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application of Kate Petrovick for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 31, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application of John Larkovich, as known as, John Karkovich for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 31, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application for Habeas Corpus, Charles Ferguson Relator vs. Michael Clark Sheriff, Respondent
- Earliest record date: October 22, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Maud Shaw by Jud Brown for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 5, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Marie Wells for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 16, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of William Carthrum for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 16, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of Carl Shearer for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 7, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Ike Payne for writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Michael L. Clark, Sheriff, Respondent
- Earliest record date: September 12, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re appl’n Joe Ronneburg for writ Habeas Corpus vs. Marshall Eberstern Chief of Police, John Brigss Chief of Detectives, Captain Vanous, Captain of Police of Omaha
- Earliest record date: October 3, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Dick Kimball for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 9, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application of Ike Payne for writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Michael L. Clark Sheriff, Respondent
- Earliest record date: September 12, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Casper Krallman Relator for a writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Michael L. Clark, Sheriff, Respondent
- Earliest record date: September 16, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Genevieve Shoemaker for a Writ of Habeas Corpus <Frankie LaPorte>
- Earliest record date: March 5, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Peter G. Lewis for writ of Habeas Corpus for Robert W. Bryant
- Earliest record date: September 18, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful detention
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Joe Lacorte for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 18, 1899
- Petition type(s): Institutional: seeking exemption from draft
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Thomas A. Jenkins, Edward W. Latchem, E. F. Dicks, Henry Biddiscombe, Henry Harris, Simon Hendrickson, Carl Jacobs, George Vinski, Walter Wolski for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 1, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of James H Parsons for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 28, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny | Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Maggie Summers for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Samuel Summers
- Earliest record date: August 27, 1918
- 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 C. E. Clay for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 16, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Matt G. Glasse for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 14, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application for George W. Hahne and Elsie M. Hahne for writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Fred E. Sawtell and Mary A. Sawtell
- Earliest record date: August 9, 1918
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of George Brown for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 30, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Roy McAllister for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 25, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: social disease
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Lena Heaton for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 20, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Mrs. Carmen Lynne for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 20, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
Ex Rel Ruth Livingston vs. Dr. Ernest T. Manning Health Commissioner, City of Omaha and Alta Burger Superintendant Detention Home for Girls, For Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 15, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention | Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Blanche Barry for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 10, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Institutional: public health detention
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Bessie Berry for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 6, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Institutional: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
