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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
- Nebraska 31
- Washington 7
- Oregon 1
Petition Subtype
- Carceral: cause unspecified 6
- Interpersonal: child custody 6
- Carceral: immigration 3
- Carceral 2
- Carceral: false pretenses 2
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 2
- Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor 2
- Institutional: child custody 2
- Carceral: burglary 1
- Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon 1
- Carceral: drunk and disorderly 1
- Carceral: first degree murder 1
- Carceral: fraud 1
- Carceral: larceny 1
- Carceral: mortgage fraud 1
- Carceral: municipal violation 1
- Carceral: murder 1
- Carceral: obtaining goods under false pretenses 1
- Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses 1
- Carceral: possession of opium derivatives 1
- Carceral: practising dentistry without a license 1
- Carceral: selling securities without a license 1
- Carceral: smuggling 1
- Carceral: unlawful detention 1
- Carceral: vagrancy 1
- Carceral: violation of Mann Act/White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910 1
- Carceral: wrongful imprisonment 1
- Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term 1
- Interpersonal: kidnapping 1
- Unknown 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 31
- Female 7
- Unindicated 1
Age of Bound Party
- Adult 28
- Minor 7
- Unindicated 1
Race of Bound Party
- Unindicated 33
- German 1
- Japanese 1
- Jewish 1
- White 1
Court Name
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha Nebraska) 24
- Lancaster County District Court (Lincoln Nebraska) 7
- Us District Court For The Western District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 6
- Marion County Circuit Court (Salem Oregon) 1
- Nebraska Supreme Court (Lincoln Nebraska) 1
- Sarpy County District Court (Papillion Nebraska) 1
- Us District Court For The Northern District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 1
Points of Law Cited
- Act of Congress, approved December 17, 1914 Forma Pauperis Act of June 25th, 1910 (36 Stat. 886) 1
- Constitution of the United States, Fifth Amendment, Section 1 of the Fourteenth Amendment; Article XIV of the Amendments to the Constitution; General Laws of Washington for 1893; Dental Act of 1902; Section 12 Article 1, Section 7 Article 1 of the Constitution of the State of Washington; State of New Hampshire vs. Pennoyer; State vs. Brown 37 Wash. 105; State vs. Clausen 65 Wash. 178; State vs Thompson 36. Wash. 377; State vs. Smith, 33 L.R.A.; State vs. Fisher 52 Mo. 194; Yick Wo. vs. Hopkins, 118 Y.S. 356; Smith vs. Texas 233 U.S. 630; Lawton vs Steele, 152 U.S. 187; Lochner vs. New York 189 U.S. 52; Hennington vs. State of Georgia 163 U.S. 300; Ohio Oil Co vs. Indiana 177 U.S. 185; Voight vs Wright 141 U.S. 62; State of Minn vs. Barber 136 U.S. 313; Mugler vs. Kansas City 123 U.S. 623; People vs. Steele 14 L.R.E. (NS) 368; Kan. City Gas Co. vs Kan. City 198 Fed. 500; Harmon vs. State 66 Oh. St. Rep. 254; Atlantic Coast Line RR. vs. North Car. 206 U.S. 1; Leisey v. Hardin, 135 U.S. 127 ;Reetz v. Michigan 188 U.S. 505; Dent v. West Virginia, 129 U.S. 114; Webster v. State Board of Health, 113 S.W. 415; People v. Phippin, 37 N.W. 888; People v. Griswold, 106 N.E. 929; Act of Congress of March 10, 1908; ex rel Crandall v. McIntosh (Mo.) 103 SW. 1078 1
- Gonzales v. Williams, 192 U.S; Chin You v. U.S., 208 U.S. 8; Louis v. Frick, 233 U.S. 291; Geiow v. Uhl, 239 U.S. 3; U.S. v. Gay, 80 Fed. 254; Act of Feb. 26, 1885, 23 Stat. 333; Trinity v. U.S., 143 U.S. 457; U.S. v. Laws, 163 U.S. 258; In re Ellis, 124 Fed. 667; Immigration Act of 1903 1
- Mann Act or White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910, (32 Stat. L. 397, C. 1140[U.S. Comp. St. Supp. 1911, p. 1701].) 1
- Prohibition Law (House Roll 793) 1
- Revised Statutes of Nebraska Section 808 1
- Sec. 7 of Act 5 May 1892, page 21 Chinese Exclusion Laws pamphlet 1
- Sec. 8 & 9, Act of September, 1888 Sec. 8, Act of February 20. 1907 Woo Wai et al. v. United States, the Circuit Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit O’Brien v. State, 6 Tex. App. 665 Connor v. People, 18 Colo. 373, 25 L.R.A. 341, 36 Am St. Rep. 295 Johnson v. State, 3 Tex. App. 593 Love v. People, 160 Ill. 501, 32 L.R.A. 139 State v. Walker, 124 Iowa 414, 100 N.W. 354 State v. Kennedy, 177 Mo. 98, 75 S.W. 989 Rhodes v. State, 39 Tex. Cr. R. 332, 45 S.W. 1009 Renner v. State, 43 Tex. Cr. R. 347, 65 S.W. 1102 Blain v. State, 30 Tex. App. 702, 18 S.W. 861 Washwood v. United States, 136 Pac. 184 State v. Crofford, 121 Iowa 395, 96 N.W. 889 People v. Parker, 67 Mich. 222, 34 N.W. 720, 11 Am. St. Rep. 578 Spies v. People, 122 Ill. 1, 12 N.E. 865, 17 N.E. 898, 3 Am. St. Rep. 320, and note 497 McKenzie v. State, 32 Tex. Cr. R. 568, 25 S.W. 426, 40 Am. St. Rep. 795 McCaskey v. Graff, 23 Pa. 321, 62 Am Dec. 336 Pickett v. United States, 216 U.S. 456, 30 Sup. Ct. 265, 54 L. Ed. 566 Mendenhall v. United States, 119 Pac. 594 Mattox v. United States, 156 U.S. 237, 15 Sup. Ct. 337, 39 L. Ed. 409 Johnson v. State, 29 Tex. App. 151 S.W. 647 Summers v. United States, 231 U.S. 92 Act of Congress, approved June 21, 1902, and amended April 27, 1906 (vol. 6, Fed. Stat. Ann., p. 41, and Supp., 1909, p. 529) 13th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States, Sec. 1 1
- Section 330, page 3481, of the Compiled Statutes of Nebraska 1
- Section 330 pg. 3461 of the Compiled Statutes of Nebraska 1
- Section 8, Act 13 Sept 1888, page 15 Chinese Exclusion Laws pamphlet 1
- Sections 22, 23, and 38 of the Immigration Act of Feb 20, 1907 1
People
- Sears, Willis G. 13
- Smith, Robert (Clerk) 11
- Dunn, Henry W. 10
- Horrigan, Daniel H. (Daniel H. Harrigan) 7
- Magney, George A. (County Attorney) 7
- Clark, Michael L. (Sheriff). 6
- Clark, Michael L. 5
- Cosgrave, P. James 5
- Crosby, Frank L. (Clerk) 5
- Maloney, Stephen (Steve) 5
- Clark, Michael L. [sheriff] 4
- Halligan, O. P. 4
- Smith, Robert [clerk] 4
- Heitfeld, Henry (Heitfeldt) 3
- Simmons, Lorenzo A. 3
- Simmons, Lorenzo A. (sheriff) 3
- Allen, Clay 2
- Boyle, John M. (U.S. marshal) 2
- Cushman, Edward E. 2
- Dempsey, Michael F. 2
- Estelle, Lee S. 2
- Fitzgerald, James M. (James J.) 2
- Foster, Charles E. 2
- Foster, W. A. (Deputy Sheriff) 2
- Harshberger, F. M. (deputy) 2
- Heuly, Neil O. (notary public); 2
- Moodie, Albert 2
- Neilson, P. S. (clerk) 2
- Neterer, Jeremiah 2
- Neville, Keith (Governor of Nebraska) 2
- O’Sullivan, Eugene D. (E. D.) 2
- Peterson, Frank A. 2
- Pool, Charles W. (Nebraska Secretary of State) 2
- Steele Jr., Asel [deputy] 2
- Steere, Jr., Asel (deputy) 2
- Sutherland, Alfred D. (clerk) 2
- Wakeley, Arthur C. 2
- White, Henry M. 2
- Steere, Jr., Asel (deputy) 1
- , (Sister Superior of the Saint Thomas Orphanage) 1
- Welch, P.J. [deputy] 1
- Alfredo, Williams 1
- Anderson, Cecil 1
- Anderson, D. L. 1
- Anderson, Ina 1
- Anderson, Kenneth (younger brother of bound party) 1
- Anderson, Nancy 1
- Anderson, Roy [subpoenaed] 1
- Anderson, William 1
- Anheuser, Fred W. (city prosecutor) 1
- Anicich, Joe (previous case) 1
- Antles, Howard H. 1
- Antles, Howard H. (witness) 1
- Applegate, G. A. 1
- Baker, 1
- Barrett, C. W. 1
- Beard, G.W. 1
- Beeler, Adam 1
- Bennett, Mrs. H.J. [subpoenaed] 1
- Binger, William F. (deputy sheriff) 1
- Bingham, George G. 1
- Bower, O. D. (deputy sheriff) 1
- Boyer, U. G. (deputy clerk) 1
- Boyle, John M. (U. S. Marshal) 1
- Branchi, Tony 1
- Branson, Lizzie [mother of George Craig, Olie Williamson, and Mabel Williamson 1
- Brothers, Andrew R. 1
- Brothers, Hattie 1
- Brown, John 1
- Brown, Morris 1
- Brown, Mrs. C.P. [witness for Rudolph Maurer] 1
- Brunskill, Frank (recipient of executive order) 1
- Brunskill, Frank (witness) 1
- Bunnell, Charles E. (judge from previous case) 1
- Burnquist, J. A. A. (Governor of Minnesota) 1
- Butler, Mary E. (Notary Public) 1
- Cain, Carl [subpoenaed] 1
- Cannon, Belle [defendant's witness] 1
- Capper, Arthur (Governor of Kansas) 1
- Chizek, J. V. (notary public) 1
- Christensen, Chris (Deputy) 1
- Christiansen, Christopher [deputy] 1
- Chuck, Wong (acquitted on same charges as Gerald) 1
- Clark, Clarence L. 1
- Clark, J. E. (clerk) 1
- Clayton, Sherman 1
- Cleveland, Rev. D.E. [defendant's witness] 1
- Clifford, Isador (Former employer of petitioner) 1
- Coe, Henry Waldo (witness) 1
- Comstock, Wilmer B. 1
- Condit, Alva O. 1
- Connery, George (murder victim) 1
- Conover, H.F. (Complainant) 1
- Covey, I. J. (foreman of the grand jury) 1
- Craig, George 1
- Crawford, Bryce 1
- Crosby, Frank L. (Clerk;) Wilson, W.B. (Secretary of Labor;) Post, Louis (Assistant Secretary of Labor;) Lowe, W.D. (Notary Public;) Sargent, John H. (Assistant Commissioner;) Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshal;) Hampton, Alfred (Assistant Commissioner-General;) Toy, Ju (Referenced in Case;) Singh, Moola (Referenced in Case;) Wah, Chin Quock (Referenced in Case;) Tun, Tang (Referenced in Case;) Gregory (Referenced in Case;) Zakonaite (Referenced in Case;) Wolf (Referenced in Case;) Ekiu, Nishimura (Referenced in Case;) Iwata, Hidekuny (Referenced in Case;) Chew, Bun (Referenced in Case;) Pon, Can (Referenced in Case;) Mark, Charlie (Referenced in Case;) Yow, Chin (Referenced in Case;) Toy, Ju (Referenced in Case;) Fung, Gin (Referenced in Case;) Shee, Tsuie (Referenced in Case;) You, Quan (Referenced in Case;) Tuck, Sin (Referenced in Case;) 1
- Crosby, Frank L. (clerkk) 1
- Crow, Joseph 1
- Curtis, Frank J. (Frank McCool, John Doe) 1
39 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the Matter of the Application of Francis Stephen Medcraf for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 3, 1915
- Petition type(s): Carceral: practising dentistry without a license
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Tony Branchi for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 23, 1915
- 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 Ng Kwack Kang for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 10, 1915
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Deported
In the matter of the petition of Max Selicow
- Earliest record date: February 23, 1916
- Petition type(s): Carceral: municipal violation
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Charles Myers, on Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 29, 1916
- Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses | Carceral: obtaining goods under false pretenses
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of William Gerald on Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 1, 1912
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term | Carceral: smuggling
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Kunijiro Toguchi for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 6, 1916
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Ina Anderson, Plaintiff, vs. William Anderson and Nancy Anderson his wife and D. L. Anderson, Defendants, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 16, 1916
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody | Interpersonal: kidnapping
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of William L. Huffman on Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 15, 1916
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: possession of opium derivatives
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of George H. Harris for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 28, 1916
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of John F. Kinney for writ of Habeas Corpus for John F. Kinney Jr. Catherine Kinney and Margaret Kinney
- Earliest record date: January 2, 1917
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Fred O. Lane for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 9, 1917
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the Application of Glen Hull for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 22, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re Application of Franklin Kapps for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 5, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of George Craig, Olie Williamson and Mabel Williamson
- Earliest record date: February 7, 1917
- Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the Petition of Roy C. Jordan for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 20, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Jesus Garcia for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 20, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Ex Rel Fred V. Larson vs. Henry W. Dunn, Chief of Police and Steve Maloney Chief of Detectives - Fred T. Ray Sheriff or other agents of the State of Kansas, For Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 21, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: false pretenses | Carceral: mortgage fraud
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of F. J. Curtis for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 5, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: first degree murder
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Williams Alfredo for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 18, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful detention
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Jennie E. Turkington for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 28, 1917
- Petition type(s): Unknown
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of John Reynolds for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 29, 1916
- Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of Mann Act/White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Mike Jamamovich for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 2, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Margaret Holton for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 4, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail
In re application of John Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 7, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of E. C. Smeeth for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 20, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: false pretenses
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Harry Davis for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 21, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Don E. DeBow for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 21, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: selling securities without a license
- Petition outcome: Writ denied | writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Alma Zerbst for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 28, 1917
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application for writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of Marion Lavonne Maurer
- Earliest record date: October 2, 1917
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Edwin T. Wentz for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 20, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud | Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application of Jim Ryan for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 20, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of James H. Mitchell for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 20, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
State of Nebraska vs. G. A. Applegate
- Earliest record date: April 10, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: drunk and disorderly
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Rasmus Oleson for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 6, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of James E. Warden for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 30, 1915
- Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Thomas Tudor for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 14, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Calvin Lambert for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: May 9, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of John Price, for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 5, 1917
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail
