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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 27
- Nebraska 19
- Oregon 2
- Alaska 1
Petition Subtype
- Carceral: immigration 7
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 6
- Interpersonal: child custody 5
- Carceral: cause unspecified 4
- Carceral: prostitution 4
- Carceral: wrongful imprisonment 3
- Carceral: robbery 2
- Carceral: suspicious character 2
- Carceral: vagrancy 2
- Institutional: child custody 2
- Carceral: assault 1
- Carceral: bastardy 1
- Carceral: detaining, delaying, and embezzling mail matter 1
- Carceral: embezzlement 1
- Carceral: insanity 1
- Carceral: insubordination to superior officer 1
- Carceral: keeping a house of ill repute 1
- Carceral: larceny 1
- Carceral: murder 1
- Carceral: no charge 1
- Carceral: selling liquor to Indians 1
- Carceral: subornation of perjury 1
- Carceral: threatening to kill 1
- Institutional: insanity 1
- Institutional: juvenile detention 1
- Institutional: protestant mission 1
- Institutional: spousal custody 1
Age of Bound Party
- Adult 21
- Unindicated 14
- Minor 10
- Unclear 2
Court Name
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha Nebraska) 15
- King County Superior Court (Seattle Washington) 15
- Us District Court For The Western District Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 12
- Lancaster County District Court (Lincoln Nebraska) 4
- Marion County Circuit Court (Salem Oregon) 2
- District Court For The Territory Of Alaska Fourth Judicial District (Fairbanks Alaska) 1
- The Superior Court Of The State Of Washington For King County (Seattle Washington) 1
Repository
- History Nebraska (Lincoln, Nebraska) 19
- Washington State Archives, Puget Sound Regional Branch (Bellevue, Washington) 15
- Douglas County District Court (Omaha, Nebraska) 14
- National Archives and Records Administration, Seattle Branch, Washington (Seattle, WA) (Seattle, Washington) 12
- Oregon State Archives (Salem, Oregon) 2
Points of Law Cited
- “An Act to Provide for the Care of Delinquent Children,” Idaho, 2 March 1905 1
- 1913 Session General Laws of Oregon, Chapter 153, Sections 1-3 1
- 28 Stat. 390; Way Tai, 96 Fed. 484; Section 25, of the Immigration Act of February 20, 1907 (Stat. pp. 898, 906); Section 179, R.S. U.S.; Executive order (No. 1783); In re Tsuie Shee, et al.; Brooke v. Covinggrove, 177 U.S. 459; Gody v. Pentland, 85 Pa. 22; U. S. v. Williams, 190 Fed. 898; 4 Stat. L. 197 1
- Babbit vs. Brush, 4 Ind. 355, 359 1
- Billingham v. U.S 1
- Blitz v. U.S 1
- Evans v. U.S 1
- Ex parte Ah Peen, 51 Calif. 280 1
- Ex parte Crause, 5 A. & E. Annotated Cases, 92, 1905 1
- Flink v. City of Milwaukee 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
- Immigration Rules of United States, Rule 9. pg. 25 1
- In re Norton, 68 Pac. 659 1
- Keck v. U.S 1
- Ledbetter v. U.S 1
- Lord’s Oregon Laws, Section 4406 1
- Lord’s Oregon Laws, Section 7097 1
- Lord’s Oregon Laws, Section 7099 1
- Montour vs. Purdy, 11 Minn. 384 1
- Pettibone v. U.S 1
- Pound v. U.S 1
- Re Sharp, 18 L. R. A., N.S., 886 1
- Reynolds v. Howe, 51 Conn. 472 1
- Rule v. Geddes, 23 App. D. C., 31 1
- Section 1 of the Act of Congress approved June 25, 1910 (“Parole Law”) The Forma Pauperis Act (approved June 25, 1910, 36 Stat. 866) 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 347 of the Criminal Code of the Dominion of Canada 1
- Section 6300 of Cobey's Annotated Statues of Nebraska for 1911 1
- State v. Brandt 1
- State vs. Eisen, 53 Oregon 297 1
- Treaty relations between the US and China; Chinese Exclusion Act; U.S. v. Williams, 190 Fed. 898; Ex Parte Mac Fock, 207 Fed. 696; Ah How v. United States, 193 U.S. 63; United States v. Lew Poy Dow (D.C.) 199 Fed. 786; Ex-parte Lam Pui, 217 Federal, page 462; Chin Yow v. United States; United States v. Redfern (D.C); United States v. Quan Wah (D.C.); United States v. Williams; People v. Van Zile; Boyd v. Glucklich; Leung Jun v. United States; United States v. Gin Fung; Lee Lung v. Patterson 1
- U.S. Constitution United States treaty regulations with France 1
- U.S v. Britton 1
- U.S v. Burns 1
- U.S v. Caril 1
- U.S v. Hess 1
- U.S v. Northway 1
- U.S v. Simmons 1
- Wharton’s Criminal Law, Vol. 1. 11th Ed. Section 370 1
People
- Sickels, W. K. (Clerk) 15
- Murphy, John Francis 11
- Crosby, Frank L. (clerk) 10
- English, James P. 10
- Frater, Archibald Wanless 9
- Smith, Robert (Clerk) 8
- Allen, Clay 7
- Magney, George A. 7
- Neterer, Jeremiah 7
- White, Henry M. 7
- Myers, G. B. (Deputy) 6
- Smith, F. W. (Deputy) 6
- Steele, Samuel H. (Steel) 6
- Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshal) 5
- Cudihee, Edward (Cudahee) 5
- Cushman, Edward E. 5
- Griffiths, Austin E. 5
- Maloney, Stephen (Steve) 5
- Cudihee, Edward (Certifies Writ Delivery) 4
- Densmore, J. B. 4
- Dunn, Henry W. 4
- Fishburne, George P. 4
- Gordon, John B. 4
- Grant, G. A. (Deputy) 4
- McShane, Jr., Felix J. (F. J.) 4
- Robert Smith (Clerk) 4
- Smith, F. W. (Deputy Clerk) 4
- Steele, S. H. (Notary Public) 4
- Brown, Fred C. 3
- Harshberger, F. M. (deputy) 3
- Joy, Albert H. (Immigrant Inspector) 3
- Lister, Ernest 3
- Lynch, Thos W. (Examining Inspector) 3
- McShane, Felix J. (Sheriff) 3
- Sullivan, John J. 3
- Tallman, Boyd J. 3
- Waimingst, Morton D. (Deputy) 3
- Welch, Robert (Notary Public) 3
- Bell, 2
- Billingstay, H.W.C. (Notary Public) 2
- Boyington, M. G. (deputy clerk) 2
- Boyle, John M. 2
- Boyle, John M. (U. S. Marshal) 2
- Cornish, Albert J. 2
- Cudihee, Edward (Delivered Writ) 2
- Esch, William (sheriff) 2
- Esfeld, Max (Surety) 2
- Forks, A. (Deputy) 2
- Fox, Samuel (Surety) 2
- Galloway, William 2
- Gehlhar, Max (clerk) 2
- Grant, G. A. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Halligan, O. P. 2
- Harrison, Daniel 2
- Lakin, Edward M. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Mackintosh, Kenneth (Macintosh) 2
- Martin, Winter S. 2
- Moodie, Albert 2
- Reets, August (Alleged Robbery Victim) 2
- Silvain, Louis T. (Notary Public) 2
- Sutton, Abraham L. 2
- Tennant, Charles M. 2
- Tennant, George R. 2
- Vanderveer, George F. (George T. Vanderveer) 2
- Welch, Robert 2
- Abbott, Joseph H. (Aliases: H. B. Mullen, Harry Anderson, and Grant S. Perry) 1
- Alexander, George R. (Notary Public) 1
- Alexander, Sister 1
- Alfonso, Joe (Alleged Assault Accomplice) 1
- Anheuser, Fred W. (Complainant) 1
- Annette Bailey (Mother to Ernest Pipers Child) 1
- Anthasso, Johnathan 1
- Bannick, Claude George (Claud) 1
- Barrett, John C. 1
- Bauer, J. H. 1
- Beeler, Adam 1
- Benjamin, Joseph A. 1
- Berg O'Neill, Celia 1
- Beutgen, N. D. (clerk) 1
- Birby, F.A. (F.A. Bixby) 1
- Birby, Lou (Lucy Jane Bixby) 1
- Blackburn, Thomas W. 1
- Bock, Lawrence 1
- Bowman, A.C. (U.S. Commissioner) 1
- Boyer, U. G. (deputy clerk) 1
- Brewer, Harry 1
- Brewer, Harry (Alleged Robbery Accomplice) 1
- Brightman, 1
- Brinker, Otis W. 1
- Bronson, Hugh (Hughes) 1
- Brooks, James 1
- Broski, Tony 1
- Brown, Edwin James 1
- Brown, Edwin James (Notary Public) 1
- Brown, George M. 1
- Buck, Frank L. (witness) 1
- Bunnell, Charles E. (District Judge for the Territory of Alaska) 1
- Burger, Joseph O. 1
- Burr, Lionel C. 1
- Butera, Sam 1
48 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the Matter of Thomas Ross on Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 7, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor to Indians
- 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 the Matter of the Application of Lewis Johnson, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 4, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Deported
In the Matter of the Application of Virgie La Grand, ex rel James La Grand, her husband, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Esther M. Hopkins, Supt. State Industrial School for Girls
- Earliest record date: November 7, 1914
- Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention | Institutional: spousal custody
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Chin Quock Wah for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 14, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Elsie Miller Dickinson for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: October 13, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Gussie Goldman Woods for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: October 13, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
Habeas Corpus of Vernon Lee Goldy + Lucille Goldy against L. M. Lang et al
- Earliest record date: December 30, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Max G. Cohen, Petitioner, vs. United States of America, Respondent
- Earliest record date: December 28, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: subornation of perjury
In the Matter of the Application of Frederick C. Test for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 23, 1914
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached
Habeas Corpus of Hugh Bronson against Edw. Cudihee Shf.
- Earliest record date: December 3, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: threatening to kill
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of James Walton, Jr. for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, in behalf of Edward Carter vs. Dr. R. E. Lee Steiner
- Earliest record date: November 27, 1914
- Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
- Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Application of Minnie Hall Riley for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 23, 1914
- Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached
In the matter of the application of Ng Key Tung for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 17, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Thomas E. Downing and Kate Downing for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Nellie Downing, also Nellie Downing White
- Earliest record date: October 27, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
Abraham Franklin, Plantiff V. Henry Dunn as Chief Police of City of Omaha Nebraska, Stephen Maloney, Fred Heil, Defendant
- Earliest record date: October 17, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement | Carceral: suspicious character
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
Habeas Corpus of Mrs Orlando Terrell Byington against Chief of Police of Seattle
- Earliest record date: October 10, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re Application of Madge Howard for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 23, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: keeping a house of ill repute
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of CHIN HING, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
- Earliest record date: September 28, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Lawrence Bock for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 23, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: suspicious character
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party
Application of Pearl Lyles for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 29, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
Habeas Corpus of Joseph H. Abbott against A. E. Griffiths Chief Police
- Earliest record date: September 12, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of George Hanson for Florence Hansen against Louis Hansen et al
- Earliest record date: August 6, 1914
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of James Dermott against Austin E. Griffiths (Chief of Police)
- Earliest record date: July 22, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Not in custody
In re Application of Sister Florida for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 16, 1914
- Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In re Application of Sam Butera for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 8, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail
Habeas Corpus of Oscar Ralph against John J. Golliet
- Earliest record date: June 30, 1914
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Frank Neff For Writ Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 3, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of Herbert Wolff against Edward Cudihee, Sheriff
- Earliest record date: May 20, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of Harry Brewer against Edward Cudihee (Sheriff)
- Earliest record date: May 20, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of Schoenbeck against A. E. Griffiths Chief of Police et al
- Earliest record date: May 18, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party
In Re Osip on Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 30, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Petition denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
Habeas Corpus of James Brooks against Edw. Cudihee Shf.
- Earliest record date: March 24, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of Charles L. Swan against Austin Griffiths
- Earliest record date: March 16, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Ernest Piper For Writ Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 14, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of Alex Petosky against Edward Cudihee Shf.
- Earliest record date: March 7, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of Tony Sullivan et al against Claude Bannick Chf. of Pol.
- Earliest record date: February 18, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: assault
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Celia Berg O'Neill for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: October 14, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re Application of Sadie Walker for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 16, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail
Application of Marcus Glassman for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 20, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: insanity
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of George Alexander Mirianon, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 19, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: insubordination to superior officer
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of Yakes Ishikawa against Doc. Mrs Jane Fife
- Earliest record date: January 14, 1914
- Petition type(s): Institutional: protestant mission
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Albert Schiessl, Plantiff Vs. Mrs. Gussie Maloney, Defendent
- Earliest record date: January 3, 1914
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of Johnathan Anthasso for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 1, 1914
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Mamie S Gipson and Cora Mafall for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: August 31, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Gerhardt Pothoff for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 11, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of May East for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 1, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of _____ Hayward for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 23, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
