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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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State
- Washington 19
- Nebraska 16
- Oregon 1
Petition Subtype
- Interpersonal: child custody 12
- Institutional: insanity 5
- Carceral: cause unspecified 2
- Carceral: disturbing the peace 2
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 2
- Carceral: violation of city ordinance 2
- Carceral: wrongful imprisonment 2
- Carceral: assault 1
- Carceral: deportation 1
- Carceral: drunk and disorderly 1
- Carceral: embezzlement 1
- Carceral: immigration 1
- Carceral: insanity 1
- Carceral: larceny 1
- Carceral: peace bond 1
- Carceral: practicing medicine without a license 1
- Carceral: prostitution 1
- Carceral: provoking an assault 1
- Institutional: child custody 1
- Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 22
- Female 11
- Unindicated 1
Age of Bound Party
- Adult 13
- Minor 12
- Unindicated 9
Race of Bound Party
- Unindicated 30
- Black 1
- Indigenous 1
- Japanese 1
- Jewish 1
Court Name
- King County Superior Court (Seattle Washington) 17
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha Nebraska) 6
- Lancaster County District Court (Lincoln Nebraska) 6
- Adams County Court (Hastings Nebraska) 2
- Us Circuit Court For The Omaha Division Of The District Of Nebraska (Omaha Nebraska) 2
- Marion County Circuit Court (Salem Oregon) 1
- Us Circuit Court For The Western District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 1
- Us District Court For The Western District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 1
Repository
- Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Regional Branch (Bellevue, Washington) 17
- History Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska) 14
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha, Nebraska) 6
- National Archives and Records Administration, Kansas City (Kansas City, Kansas) 2
- National Archives and Records Administration, Seattle Branch, Washington (Seattle, WA) (Seattle, Washington) 2
- Oregon State Archives (Salem, Oregon) 1
Type of Source
- Case File 28
- Docket 16
- Journal 7
- Complete Record 1
Points of Law Cited
- “An act to regulate the practice of medicine and surgery in the State of Washington and to license physicians and surgeons, to punish all persons violating the provisions of this act, and to repeal all laws in conflict therewith, and declaring an emergency” and its amendment consisting of sections 6284-6285-6286-6287-6288-6289-6290 and 6291 of Pierce’s Code of the State of Washington 1
- 10 Stat. at Large, 277-8 1
- 14. Stat. at Large, 667 1
- 188 U.S. 432 1
- 22 Stat. at Large, 342 1
- 24 Stat. 388 1
- 29 Stat. 506 1
- 88 Fed. 102 1
- Act of Congress, 22 Stats. 342 1
- Act of Congress, August 7, 1882 1
- Act of Congress, May 27, 1902 1
- Act of Jan 15, 1897 1
- Act of March 3, 1885 1
- Allen v. Louisiana, 102 U.S. 80 1
- Baldin v. Franks, 120 U.S. 678 1
- Beck v. Flournoy Life Stock Co., 65 Fed. 30 1
- Carter’s Annotated Alaska Codes, Section 47 1
- Chapter CLXIX of the Code of Washington (1881) 1
- Draper v. United States, 164 U.S. 244 1
- In re Fair, 100 Fed. 149 1
- In Re Heff 1
- In re Heff, 197 U.S. 488 (1905) 1
- In re Waite, 81 Fed. 359 1
- James v. Bowman, 190 U.S. 127 1
- Ohio v. Thomas, 173 U.S. 276 1
- Ordinance No. 11141 of Seattle (“An Ordinance to license and regulate certain trades and occupations in the City of Seattle, providing penalties for the violation thereof, and repealing all ordinances inconsistent therewith”) 1
- Regulations of the Indian Office 1
- Revised Statutes of the United States, Sections 2119, 2147, 2149 1
- Section 1573 Pierce’s Code 1
- Section 3 of the Act of Congress of March 26th, 1910, An Act to Amend An Act, entitled, An Act to Regulate the Immigration of Aliens into the United States 1
- Section I of the 14th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States 1
- Sections 3 and 12 of Article I of the Constitution of the State of Washington 1
- Smiley v. Kansas, 196 U.S. 447 1
- State v. Columbia George 1
- Subdivision 5 of Section 1 of Ordinance No. 6036 1
- The Dawes Act (1887) 1
- Trade-Mark Cases, 100 U.S. 82 1
- Treaty with the Chippewa, February 22, 1855 1
- United States v. County of Thurston (1906) 1
- United States v. Harris, 106 U.S. 629 1
- United States v. Ju Toy (1905) 1
- United States v. Mullen, 71 Fed. 682 1
- United States v. Reese, 92 U.S. 214 1
- U.S. v. Claypox, 35 Fed. 575 1
- U.S. v. Flournoy Life Stock Co., 71 Fed. 576 1
- Virginia Coupon Cases, 114 U.S. 269 1
- Wilcox v. Jackson, 13 Peters 498 1
People
- Case, Otto A. (Clerk) 15
- Frater, Archibald Wanless 11
- Smith, L. C. 7
- Drew, Edward (Deputy) 5
- Smith, L. C. (Delivered Writ) 5
- Ress, Nicholas (sheriff) 4
- Gordon, John B. 3
- Griffin, Arthur E. 3
- Sutton, Abraham L. 3
- Thompson, Maurice (Deputy Clerk) 3
- Billingsley, L. W. 2
- Brown, Norris 2
- Commons, John M. 2
- Cornish, Albert J. 2
- Delaney, Thomas R. 2
- Drew, Edward (Chief Deputy) 2
- Dungan, Harry S. 2
- Fyre, Jesse A. (Frye) 2
- Godfrey, James J. 2
- Goldstein, J. W. 2
- Goss, Charles A. 2
- Greene, James L. 2
- Greene, Robert J. 2
- Hatch, George C. 2
- Hay, John T. 2
- Holmes, Edward P. 2
- Hover, C. L. 2
- Johnson, G. E. 2
- Lane, A. W. 2
- LeWald, Leslie S. 2
- Mackintosh, Kenneth (Macintosh) 2
- McDonald, John W. (sheriff) 2
- Morris, George E. 2
- Munger, William H. 2
- Raine, Edgar C. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Rossman, George P. 2
- Smith, L.C. (Sheriff) 2
- Springer, O. A. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Springer, O.G. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Thummel, George H. (clerk) 2
- Warner, William P. (U.S. marshal) 2
- Wiestling, Frank Beecher 2
- Springer, O.G. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Aldrich, L. D. (deputy clerk) 1
- Allen, Roderic D. (clerk) 1
- Anderson, Milo (Witness for the Respondent) 1
- Ayres, A. Reeves (Clerk) 1
- Baer, Jacob S. (deputy clerk) 1
- Ballinger, R. A. (Mayor) 1
- Barada, Blanche (family member of complainant) 1
- Barada, John Z. (family member of complainant) 1
- Barada, Thomas (squatter, complainant) 1
- Barda, Pina (family member of complainant) 1
- Barda, Toy (family member of complainant) 1
- Barnes, Clara 1
- Barnes, J. C. 1
- Barnes, Joseph (father of bound party, ex-husband of petitioner) 1
- Barney, J. (Notary Public) 1
- Batty, Robert A. 1
- Benson, Edward H. (witness) 1
- Bilding, Elliot (Deputy) 1
- Blackbird, Ellis (Omaha Tribal Council member) 1
- Blade, Barada (family member of complainant) 1
- Boulting, Joseph 1
- Boulting, Mary Julia (witness) 1
- Brewer, Audrey 1
- Brewer, Sylvia 1
- Bridges, James (deputy) 1
- Brisbo, Edward (witness 2699) 1
- Broadwell, Frank (clerk) 1
- Broadwell, Frank A. (clerk) 1
- Broadwell, Frank A. (commissioner and clerk) 1
- Brown, 1
- Brown, Peter (Notary Public) 1
- Brush, C. H. (Recorder of the General Land Office) 1
- Burnell, John S. 1
- Burnell, Lotta E. 1
- Busboom, T. H. 1
- Butler, Eva May 1
- Butler, Lillian 1
- Butler, Melvin 1
- Cable, Benjamin S. 1
- Caldwell, James L. 1
- Cann, T. H. 1
- Carr, Harry 1
- Carr, Herbert 1
- Carr, Samuel L. 1
- Case, A. E. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Case, Otto A. (Clerk), Revelle, George H. (Notary Public) 1
- Christensen, C. C. 1
- Christner, J. L. 1
- Christner, Katie 1
- Christner, Loy Willmer 1
- Christner, Mona Marie 1
- Clapp, 1
- Coddington, F. (witness, notary public) 1
- Cody, John W. 1
- Cole, W. G. (witness 2699) 1
- Commons, George G. (witness) 1
- Comstock, Wilmer B. 1
36 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the Matter of the Application of O. V. Lawson for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 8, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: practicing medicine without a license
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail
In the Matter of the Application of Martha Morrison for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 8, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Petition of John S. Burnell for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 31, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party
In the Matter of the Petition of Cassie Hartman for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 5, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace | Carceral: provoking an assault
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Columbia George for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: February 24, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Ike Zemansky for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 1, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of city ordinance
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of John M. Commons for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 7, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: peace bond
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Leo Lung-Oh for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 21, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: deportation
- Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Frank D. Steel for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 25, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of John W. Cody for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 7, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Lorimer Ells for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 1, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of L. S. LeWald for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 2, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of L. S. LeWald for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 14, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Helen J. Holman for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 19, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Virginia Donermeyer, a minor by her next friend, Mathias Donermeyer for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 27, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached
In the Matter of the Application of Mrs Cora Cummings nee Datson
- Earliest record date: August 23, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of Lillian Butler for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 5, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Anna Sultz for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 6, 1906
- Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the Petition of Ardula M. Porter on behalf of Clara Barnes for writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: September 8, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Petition of John O'Day for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 19, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Willie Vangart for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 24, 1906
- Petition type(s): Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Petition of Celia I. Dougherty for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 25, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Mabelle S. Keller for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 28, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Petition for Habeas Corpus of Mazie Zeigler
- Earliest record date: November 5, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of William Walker for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 5, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: assault | Carceral: drunk and disorderly
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of Application for writ of Habeas Corpus for Harry Carr and Herbert Carr minor children of Sam'l L. Carr
- Earliest record date: November 14, 1906
- Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party
In the Matter of the Application of Al Krugman
- Earliest record date: November 20, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of city ordinance
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Katie Christner Writ of habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 30, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the application of Fred Schneiderwind for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 20, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the Application of Mori Tsuchine For Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 29, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Application of M. E. Smith for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 23, 1906
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the application of Abel M. Perry for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 22, 1906
- Petition type(s): Carceral: insanity
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Joseph Boulting for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: September 14, 1906
- Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re Application of T. H. Busboom, for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 13, 1906
- Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Jacob Penner, for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 28, 1906
- Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail
In the Matter of the Application of Leroy Craig for a writ of Habeas Corpus against J. L. Greene, first name unknown
- Earliest record date: April 19, 1906
- Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
