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 30
Petition Subtype
- Interpersonal: child custody 12
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 3
- Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon 2
- Carceral: cause unspecified 2
- Carceral: disturbing the peace 2
- Carceral: embezzlement 2
- Carceral: violation of city ordinance 2
- Carceral: assault and battery 1
- Carceral: failure to pay 1
- Carceral: fraudulent sale of railroad tickets 1
- Carceral: intent to commit robbery 1
- Carceral: murder 1
- Carceral: possession of stolen property 1
- Carceral: practicing medicine without a license 1
- Carceral: provoking an assault 1
- Institutional: child custody 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 19
- Female 11
- Unindicated 1
Age of Bound Party
- Unindicated 13
- Minor 12
- Adult 6
Race of Bound Party
- Unindicated 27
- White 2
- Black 1
- Jewish 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
- Carter’s Annotated Alaska Codes, Section 47 1
- Chapter CLXIX of the Code of Washington (1881) 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
- Sec. 3 of Art I. of the Constitution of the State of Washington Sec. 12 of Art I. of the Constitution of the State of Washington Sec. 1 of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution of the United States 1
- Section 1573 Pierce’s Code 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
- Subdivision 5 of Section 1 of Ordinance No. 6036 1
People
- Case, Otto A. (Clerk) 30
- Smith, L. C. 13
- Frater, Archibald Wanless 12
- Drew, Edward (Deputy) 8
- Morris, George E. 8
- Griffin, Arthur E. 7
- Thompson, Maurice (Deputy Clerk) 6
- Gordon, John B. 5
- Mackintosh, Kenneth (Notary Public) 5
- Smith, L. C. (Delivered Writ) 5
- Mackintosh, Kenneth (Macintosh) 4
- Delaney, Thomas R. 3
- Gilliam, Mitchell 3
- Godfrey, James J. 3
- Hatch, George C. 3
- Smith, L. C. (Delivers Writ) 3
- Conway, F. R. 2
- Drew, Edward (Chief Deputy) 2
- Drew, Edward (Received Writ) 2
- Egan, Franklin M. 2
- Faben, Vince H. 2
- Fulton, Walter S. 2
- Goldstein, J. W. 2
- Hawkins, J. E. 2
- Hughes, P. D. 2
- Johnson, G. E. 2
- LeWald, Leslie S. 2
- McAvoy, Charles E. 2
- Mead, Albert E. (Elbert) 2
- Peterson, Fred H. 2
- Raine, Edgar C. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Reinhart, C. S. (Clerk) 2
- Renger, Camille 2
- Rossman, George P. 2
- Springer, A. H. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Springer, O. A. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Springer, O.G. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Wappenstein, C. W. 2
- McMillian, G. (Check Endorser) 1
- Springer, O.G. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Anderson, Milo (Witness for the Respondent) 1
- Ball, Thomas 1
- Ballinger, R. A. (Mayor) 1
- Barney, J. (Notary Public) 1
- Bilding, Elliot (Deputy) 1
- Blaine, 1
- Blair, Charles (Michigan Attorney General) 1
- Brinker, William H. 1
- Brown, 1
- Brown, Harrison D. 1
- Brown, H.D. (Witness) 1
- Brown, J.J. (Witness); 1
- Brown, Peter (Notary Public) 1
- Burnell, John S. 1
- Burnell, Lotta E. 1
- Butler, Eva May 1
- Butler, Lillian 1
- Butler, Melvin 1
- Calhoun, Scott (Notary Public); 1
- Cann, T. H. 1
- Case, A. E. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Christensen, C. C. 1
- Christner, J. L. 1
- Christner, Katie 1
- Christner, Loy Willmer 1
- Christner, Mona Marie 1
- Cody, John W. 1
- Cowan, R. H. (Witness) 1
- Crossman, Elizabeth L. 1
- Crouch, Charles R. 1
- Cummings, W. L. 1
- DeBrules, Ellis (Notary Public) 1
- DeGraff, William T. (Witness) 1
- DeGraw, J. W. 1
- Deneen, Charles Samuel 1
- Deray, B. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Dominick, Lucie J. 1
- Dominick, Sammie 1
- Douglas, 1
- Douglas, James 1
- Douglas, James (Notary Public) 1
- Drew, Edward (Received Writ on Behalf of Smith) 1
- Drew, Edward A. (Chief Deputy) 1
- Durham, Jane (Mary Jane Durham) 1
- E. Laven (Deputy) 1
- Eastman, David D. (Member of the Seattle Local Board of Directors of the Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland) 1
- E.B. Herald (Next Friend) 1
- Ells, Lorimer 1
- Ells, Theo Virginia 1
- Faust, Minnie 1
- Fore, H. C. (Notary Public) 1
- Frater, John A. 1
- Fulton, Walter S. (Notary Public) 1
- Fyre, Jesse A. (Frye) 1
- Gage, C. F. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Gardner, Alfred E. 1
- George G Perry (Complainant) 1
- George, R. R. 1
- Gill, H.C. (President of City Council) 1
- Godfrey, James J. (Notary Public) 1
30 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the Matter of the Application of Lucie T. Dominick for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 8, 1904
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of W. M. McPhay for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 24, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the application of Anna Elizabeth Krim for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 18, 1905
- 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 Camille Renger for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 16, 1905
- Petition type(s): Carceral: possession of stolen property
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Camille Renger for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 27, 1905
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of L. J. Urann for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 22, 1905
- Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Petition of Hugh J. O'Neill for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 22, 1905
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fraudulent sale of railroad tickets
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the application of James Murray for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 14, 1905
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of James Plymate for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 19, 1905
- Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon | Carceral: intent to commit robbery
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Petition of Bertha Kuzek for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 2, 1905
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of Martin Von Schlosser for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 2, 1905
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of B. O. Graham for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 8, 1905
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Petition of Thomas Ball for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 13, 1905
- Petition type(s): Carceral: failure to pay
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 Matter of the Application of Robert Volwiler and Lillian Volwiler Minors, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 22, 1907
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of T. Katioka for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 24, 1907
- Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon | Carceral: assault and battery
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail
