Skip to main content
« 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.

Filter by:

Date

Drag slider to explore cases

Dates: -

Petition Type

Petition Subtype

See more

Petition Outcome

Fate of Bound Party

Sex of Bound Party

Age of Bound Party

Race of Bound Party

Petition Year

Earliest Record Date

Latest Record Year

Court Name

Type of Source

Length of Case File

  • between 11 and 20 pages 589

Points of Law Cited

See more

People

See more
Length of Case File : between 11 and 20 pages

589 results

Habeas Corpus of Fred Boughton against Edward Cudihee, Sheriff

  • Earliest record date: December 20, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in 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 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

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

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

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 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 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 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 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 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

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

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

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

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

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 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

In the Matter of the Application of Allen Young for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 19, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Harry B. Porter for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 25, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: impersonating an officer
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

ex rel Joseph Miller, Bernard Miller, Peter Miller, and Ed Mazone vs. John Briggs and Michael Corcoran; Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 18, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Order of discharge

In the Matter of the Application of George Hall, W. M. Thompson, and John Phillips for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 16, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Application of Anthony C. Wagner for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Edward Krause for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 18, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of F. Ota, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 19, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: advocating or teaching anarchy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 J. E. Murray for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 4, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Charles Barker for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 23, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: possession of burglary tools
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of George Gumm for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 8, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

The State of Nebraska on the relation of Leon Angus vs. Felix J. McShane and Henry Schroeder

  • Earliest record date: June 14, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Harry Smith and Barney Slomen v. United States

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Roy Stearns vs. R. R. Lee Steiner, Superintendent of the Oregon State Hospital

  • Earliest record date: July 18, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Charles M. Helmore v. United States

  • Earliest record date: July 18, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Jesse Fowler and Mamie Cole for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 23, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

A. J. Schmoker v. Felix J. McShane Jr. and Henry Schroeder

  • Earliest record date: August 26, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Chase Randal Snyder for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 20, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re Mike Miller vs. Felix J. McShane and Henry Schroeder, application for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 25, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to commit great bodily injury
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application Lulu Huffman for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 5, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Charles Bird - and Josephine Bird, also known as Jack Lewis, by Irene Steward, petitioner for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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 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 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 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 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 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 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
Back to top