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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 21 and 30 pages 192

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Length of Case File : between 21 and 30 pages

192 results

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In Re: Application of Joseph Walton for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 31, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: barbering on Sunday
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | released on bail

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 Hyman M. Stein for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 19, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peddling without a license | Carceral: contempt of court | Carceral: municipal violation
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Habeas Corpus of Caroline Dyer and John Dyer

  • Earliest record date: August 20, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Jacob C. Caldwell for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: sabbath breaking
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of William E. Mullins for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 23, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Ralph O. Urban for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 11, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Joseph Tebo for H. C.

  • Earliest record date: April 19, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fornication | Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Mary J. Carr for writ H. C.

  • Earliest record date: July 11, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: adultery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Franklin C. Chase for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 1, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of Theodore Mazzine for Martha Mazzine against Missionary Sisters of Sacred Heart

  • Earliest record date: February 22, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of David P. Koch for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 19, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | ordered to be re-sentenced

Habeas Corpus of Charles Deidrich against Bannick, Chief of Police

  • Earliest record date: January 19, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wife abandonment | Carceral: wife desertion
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Frank Foster [originally titled, In the Matter of the Application of Homer Rutherford for Writ of Habeas Corpus, on behalf of Frank Foster]

  • Earliest record date: October 24, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and robbery with a dangerous weapon
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of Louisa Tubbs for Samuel Tubbs against Charles and Caroline Spink

  • Earliest record date: November 15, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: spousal custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of O. R. Blystone against Robert Hodge, Sheriff

  • Earliest record date: December 5, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny | Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

State of Nebraska ex Relative Alvira E. Britton, Plaintiff Vs. Stephen W. Bryant and Alice Bryant, Defendants

  • Earliest record date: June 5, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | new custody arrangement reached

Habeas Corpus of Lawrence Holland by Margaret Holland against Edward Cudihee

  • Earliest record date: June 7, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the petition of Albert H. Young and Kamasaburo Sugiuor alias B. K. Sugiuor for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 19, 1913
  • Petition type(s): carceral: Violation of White Slave Traffic Act
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Willis R. Kelly, on behalf of Phillip Kelly, a minor child, for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 24, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Joseph Kopf vs. William H. Jones, Sheriff of Nemaha County, Nebraska

  • Earliest record date: September 18, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: first degree murder | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Harry Gong for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Yut Yow

  • Earliest record date: November 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

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 the Matter of the Application of Paul Webster on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 21, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: smuggling | Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Arthur B. Martin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 25, 1910
  • Petition type(s): carceral: Violation of White Slave Traffic Act
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported

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

Petition of Raleigh M. Faulkner for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1861
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 Applicant Joseph G Armstrong on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 29, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in 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

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 W. T. Gardiner for a Writ of Habeas Corpus (James Walton Jr Petitioner)

  • Earliest record date: September 1, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Chin Sheung Wing for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 25, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of Joseph Williams On Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 25, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the petition of Max Selicow

  • Earliest record date: February 23, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: municipal violation
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Charles I. John v. Thomas J. Flynn (U.S. Marshal) and Henry Schroeder (Jailer)

  • Earliest record date: February 24, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of the Harrison Act | Carceral: possession of opium derivatives
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In 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 Maurice Greenwalt for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 27, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Harry Smith v. United States

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

In the Matter of the Application of Chin Wah Hing, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Chin Doe Tung

  • Earliest record date: July 7, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Leroy Smith v. O. P. Halligan

  • Earliest record date: April 7, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use | Carceral: possession of cocaine leaves
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Order of discharge

In the matter of David Livingstone on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 14, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: military infraction
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Kunijiro Toguchi for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

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

In the matter of the application of Fred O. Lane for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 9, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: May 29, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of Mann Act/White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Harry Davis for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 21, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application for writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of Marion Lavonne Maurer

  • Earliest record date: October 2, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Edwin T. Wentz for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 20, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in 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 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
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