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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 44
- Washington 13
- Alaska 1
Petition Subtype
- Carceral 6
- Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property 6
- Carceral: immigration 6
- Carceral: public charge 6
- Carceral: vagrancy 6
- Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 6
- Institutional: public health detention 6
- Interpersonal: child custody 6
- Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor 4
- Institutional: seeking exemption from draft 4
- Carceral: prostitution 3
- Carceral: disorderly conduct 2
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 2
- Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home 2
- Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor 2
- Carceral: wanted for questioning 2
- 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 destruction 1
- Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon 1
- Carceral: conspiracy to violate the Espionage Act 1
- Carceral: detaining, delaying, and embezzling mail matter 1
- Carceral: drug use 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: convent 1
- Institutional: vagrancy 1
- Interpersonal 1
- Interpersonal: kidnapping 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 39
- Female 17
- Unindicated 2
Age of Bound Party
- Adult 37
- Unindicated 12
- Minor 8
Race of Bound Party
- Unindicated 53
- Greek 2
- Italian 1
- Russian 1
Court Name
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha Nebraska) 37
- Us District Court For The Western District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 11
- Lancaster County District Court (Lincoln Nebraska) 5
- Us District Court For The Omaha Division Of The District Of Nebraska (Omaha Nebraska) 2
- District Court For The Territory Of Alaska Fourth Judicial District (Fairbanks Alaska) 1
- Second Judicial District Court For The Territory Of Washington (Tacoma Washington) 1
- Us District Court For The Northern District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 1
Repository
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha, Nebraska) 37
- History Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska) 28
- National Archives and Records Administration, Seattle Branch, Washington (Seattle, WA) (Seattle, Washington) 12
- National Archives and Records Administration, Kansas City (Kansas City, Kansas) 2
- Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Regional Branch (Bellevue, Washington) 1
Points of Law Cited
- U.S. Const. amend. V. 5
- Ordinance No. 9852 2
- 1917 Immigration Act 1
- City of Omaha, Ordinance No. 9852 - Making it unlawful to expose another to venereal infection. 1
- Espionage Act, Section 3 1
- Frisbie v. U.S. 157 U.S. 160; United States v. Bornemann 35 Fed. 824; Leddbetter v. U.S. 108 Fed. 52; Beebe v. U.S. 2 Dak. 292; Section 995 (2) Criminal Law Volume 6 Dec; Talbert v. State, 37 So. 78, 140 Ala 96; Ex parte Doyle, 66 Pac. 2949, 26 Nev. 281; Schirmacher v. State, 45 S.W. 802; Kiefel v. State, 94 S.W. 463, 49 Tex. 308 1
- Nebraska State Statutes Page 450 Section 56 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
- Section 1028 Revised Statutes U.S.; In Re Wilson, 114 U.S. 417; Pointer v. U.S., 151 U.S. 396; Sandy White v. U.S., 164 U.S. 100; 1st Bishop Criminal Procedure, Sections 1347-1348; Davis v. Utah, 151 U.S. 262, 38 L.Ed.153; Crane v. U.S. 162 U.S. 625, 40 L.Ed.1097; Howard v. U.S., 75 Fed. 986; Ex parte Wilson, 114 U.S. 417; State v. Baldy, 17 Iowa 39; State v. Anderson, 3 Nev. 254; People v. Sullivan, 4 N.Y. Cr. C. 193 1
- Section 195 of the Criminal Code 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 Law 1
- Treaty of Commerce and Navigation between the United States and Italy, Rules XXXVI and XXVII of the Selective Service Regulation 1
People
- Smith, Robert (Clerk) 32
- Redick, William A. 29
- Steere Jr., Asel (Deputy) 26
- Clark, Michael L. 23
- Clark, Michael L. (sheriff) 10
- Magney, George A. (County Attorney) 10
- Foster, W. A. 9
- Estelle, Lee S. 7
- Manning, Ernest T. (Ernest C.) 7
- Neterer, Jeremiah 7
- Fitzgerald, James M. (James J.) 6
- Macfarland, John M. 6
- Madden, Ray J. 6
- Pierce, Ralph S. 6
- Sears, Willis G. 6
- White, Henry M. 6
- Briggs, John 5
- Cushman, Edward E. 5
- Horrigan, Daniel H. (Daniel H. Harrigan) 5
- Vanderveer, George F. (George T. Vanderveer) 5
- Bumbaugh, Edward R. (Notary Public) 4
- Crosby, Frank L. (Clerk) 4
- Dempsey, Michael F. 4
- Saunders, Robert C. 4
- Shepherd, Frederick 4
- Simmons, Lorenzo A. (sheriff) 4
- Day, L. B. 3
- Foster, W. A. (Deputy) 3
- Magney, George A. 3
- Moore, Ben L. 3
- Morearty, J. F. (Notary Public) 3
- Murray, Thomas B. 3
- O'Keefe, T. J. (Y. J.) 3
- Wilson, William B. 3
- Bowes, H. H. 2
- Boyle, John M. (U.S. marshal) 2
- Bremers, R. H. 2
- Burger, John M. (Complainant) 2
- Fishburne, George P. 2
- Fitzgerald, James M. (Judge of Police Court) 2
- Folsom Jr., H. D. 2
- Foster, W. A. (Notary Public) 2
- Greene, H. A. (Green) 2
- Hager, George E. 2
- Harrington, Gerald F. 2
- Harshburger, F. M. (clerk) 2
- Holmes, George 2
- Horton, Richard S. 2
- Hoye, Charles W. (Deputy) 2
- Hoyt, R. C. (clerk) 2
- Huggins, Alice (deputy clerk) 2
- Leslie, Charles 2
- Lindburg, Lorene (notary public) 2
- Mixon, William A. 2
- Morearty, Edward F. (Ed. F.) 2
- Simmons, G. A. (deputy sheriff) 2
- Steinwender, Paul F. (Notary Public) 2
- Woodrough, Joseph William 2
- Abimethy Jr., A. S. (notary;) Arlington, Henry (husband of Mary Arlington;) Brotton, M 1
- Adams, George A. 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
- Alexsa, Joseph 1
- Allen, Clay 1
- Allen, Thomas S. 1
- Anderson, Charles F. (Deputy) 1
- Anderson, Emma (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Anderson, Svend (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Arlington, Mary 1
- Astleford, Walter (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Baker, Bert (witness) 1
- Baker, Ella 1
- Baker, Grace 1
- Baker, Harry [Thelma's ex-husband, Ella's son, and Grace's father] 1
- Baker, Vera Smiley 1
- Barry, Blanche 1
- Bastian, Clarence (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Battin, John Wilson (Notary Public) 1
- Baylor, Fahy B. 1
- Bell, William R. 1
- Berger, Alta (Alta Burger) 1
- Berger, John M. (City Prosecutor) 1
- Berry, Bessie 1
- Biddiscombe, Henry 1
- Boiler, Bill (alleged co-conspirator) 1
- Boorman, H. M. (Notary Public of Cass County, Iowa) 1
- Borree, J. J. (brigadier general) 1
- Boyle, Hugh J. 1
- Boyle, John M. 1
- Brinkman, Holly (Witness) 1
- Britt, C. W. 1
- Britt, C.W. (Acting Police Magistrate of the City of Omaha) 1
- Britt, G. W. (Municipal Judge) 1
- Brome, 1
- Brown, Elmer W. 1
- Brown, George 1
- Bryant, William W. 1
- Bryce, John M. (US marshal) 1
- Bstian, Almer (Plaintiffs Witness) 1
- Bunnell, Charles E. (District Judge for the Territory of Alaska) 1
- Burkett, Elmer J. 1
57 results
Download JSON Download CSVTerritory of Washington v. Arlington and Johnson
- Earliest record date: January 23, 1885
- Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Thomas L. Thurston for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 23, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: detaining, delaying, and embezzling mail matter
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application of Richard Casey for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 31, 1916
- Petition type(s): Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Madge Weeks for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 30, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Mary Harmon for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 24, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re application of Henry Peterson for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 30, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Gerasimos Nicolovinis for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 1, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: seeking exemption from draft
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Joseph Alexa for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 13, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of J. W. Kent for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 13, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Clara May Pearce, next friend and natural guardian of George Taylor for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 17, 1918
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Phillip Chiantis for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 5, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: seeking exemption from draft
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
Application of Ex Rel Henry Hoffman vs. Michael Clark Sheriff of Douglas County and Sherman Clayton Jailer
- Earliest record date: June 10, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
application of Pearl Weaver v. Michael L. Clark Sheriff of Douglas County Nebraska and Sherman Clayton Jailer of Douglas County Jail, Nebraska, For writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 15, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Frank M. Ringer for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 26, 1918
- 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 John Murray for writ of Habeas Corpus for his minor child known as Harry McCaustland
- Earliest record date: December 23, 1908
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Petition of Neil MacDonald for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 15, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: espionage act | Carceral: treason
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Enola Crater for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 4, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: drunkenness
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re application of Flossie Gordon for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 6, 1918
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from 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
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
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 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
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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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
