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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.

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  • between 11 and 20 pages 589

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Length of Case File : between 11 and 20 pages

589 results

In the matter of the application of Harry Brooks for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 18, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John Morrissey for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 26, 1878
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Louis Dick for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 28, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Institutional: Indian agent/superintendent
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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

In the matter of the Pet of Ed Larson for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 11, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny | Carceral: petty larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of Charles R. Redick for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 28, 1880
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Harry Meehan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 7, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Anson, a boy of color v. Henry G. Mitchel and Henry C. Russel

  • Earliest record date: May 23, 1832
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of J. C. Christopher against Robert Hodge, Sheriff

  • Earliest record date: May 6, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Frank Davies for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Walter Britton and John Trigg for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 21, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunk and disorderly
  • 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

In the matter of application of Harry Greenwald for writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 24, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus of Diamico Oct et. al against Puget Sound Traction, Light and Power Co.

  • Earliest record date: October 25, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: coercive labor
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the application of Jessie Fiandt for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 3, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Adolphus Gordon for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 11, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: possession of stolen property
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In The Matter of the Application of C. Larson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 12, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlicensed ticket scalping
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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

  • Earliest record date: January 12, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported | exhibits withdrawn

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 Benjamin Creel for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 John W. Hall for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 15, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Robert Ross for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

The State if Nebraska on the Relation of Willam J. McClain, Relator V. John Briggs and Michael Corccran, Respondants

  • Earliest record date: November 12, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

King County v. William Hughs and Micheal Broderick

  • Earliest record date: October 5, 1876
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal to pay bail
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Petition for Habeas Corpus on behalf of Mary Josephine Marshall

  • Earliest record date: October 12, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of John Tenozar for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 19, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: parole violation
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

State of Nebraska on Relation of Thomas Sexton, Relator V. John Briggs and Michael Corcoran, Respondent

  • Earliest record date: May 19, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Sid Howard for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 10, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use | Carceral: opium use | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 the matter of the application of Harry Brooks for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 18, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the re-application of N. D. Coleman for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 5, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of William Warden for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 27, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In re application of Frank Kreishutz for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 14, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Edna Sullivan and Geraldine Sullivan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 10, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Laura M. Parker for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Joyce McCaulley and Ray McCaulley Jr.

  • Earliest record date: April 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

On the relation of Mrs. Lottie Parsons Relator vs. St. James Orphan Asylum Respondent

  • Earliest record date: October 9, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Mary Wilson

  • Earliest record date: April 20, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Salvatore Giampapa for a writ Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • 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 T. E. Chase for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Thomas Gibbons

  • Earliest record date: February 22, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the application of George H. Place on Behalf of his two minor children Howard D. Place and Zella V. Place for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 21, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Knud Knudsen for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 18, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of city ordinance | Carceral: selling and offering for sale milk and cream below the standard
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Petition for writ of Habeas Corpus for the person of Nan Oy a Chinese woman

  • Earliest record date: February 20, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

In re application of Ike Payne for writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Michael L. Clark Sheriff, Respondent

  • Earliest record date: September 12, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Arthur Williams for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Jack Norton for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 12, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Frank Burke vs. L. V. Wyckoff Writ of Habeaus Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 21, 1875
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

The State of Nebraska, upon the relation of Mattie Cahill, Complainant, vs. Marshall Eberstein, Chief of Police of Omaha, Nebraska and Alta Berger, Matron and Superintendent of Omaha Detention Hospital, Eleventh and Dodge Streets, Omaha, Nebraska, Respondents.

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention | Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody
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