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
Basic Search
Simply enter the word you wish to find and the search engine will search for every instance of the word in the journals. For example: Fight. All instances of the use of the word fight will show up on the results page.
Wildcard Searches
Using an asterisk (*) will increase the odds of finding the results you are seeking. For example: Fight*. The search results will display every instance of fight, fights, fighting, etc. More than one wildcard may be used. For example: *ricar*. This search will return most references to the Aricara tribe, including Ricara, Ricares, Aricaris, Ricaries, Ricaree, Ricareis, and Ricarra. Using a question mark (?) instead of an asterisk (*) will allow you to search for a single character. For example, r?n will find all instances of ran and run, but will not find rain or ruin.
Capitalization
Searches are not case sensitive. For example: george will come up with the same results as George.
Phrase Search
Searching for a specific phrase may help narrow down the results. Rather long phrases are no problem. For example: "This white pudding we all esteem".
Subsequent Searches
Because of the creative spellings used by the journalists, it may be necessary to try your search multiple times. For example: P?ro*. This search brings up numerous variant spellings of the French word pirogue, "a large dugout canoe or open boat." Searching for P?*r*og?* will bring up other variant spellings. Searching for canoe or boat also may be helpful.
Filter by:
State
- Washington 25
Petition Subtype
- Carceral: prostitution 3
- Carceral 2
- Carceral: contempt of court 2
- Carceral: forgery 2
- Carceral: grand larceny 2
- Carceral: larceny 2
- Carceral: vagrancy 2
- Carceral: Corruption of a Juror 1
- Carceral: drunk and disorderly 1
- Carceral: embezzlement 1
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 1
- Carceral: mutiny 1
- Carceral: no charge 1
- Carceral: petty larceny 1
- Carceral: tax 1
- Institutional: child custody 1
- Interpersonal: child custody 1
- Interpersonal: kidnapping 1
- Interpersonal: trafficking 1
Age of Bound Party
- Unindicated 13
- Adult 4
- Minor 2
Race of Bound Party
- Unindicated 15
- Black 3
- Asian 1
- Multiracial 1
Court Name
- King County Superior Court (Seattle Washington) 21
- Third Judicial District Court For The Territory Of Washington (Seattle Washington) 2
- District Court Of The United States District Of Washington (Port Townsend Washington) 1
- Second Judicial District Court For The Territory Of Washington (Tacoma Washington) 1
Points of Law Cited
- An Act to authorize the appointment of shipping Commissioners by the several Circuit Courts of the United States to superintend the shipping and discharge of Seamen engaged in merchant ships belonging to the United States and for the further protection of Seamen (Approved June 7, 1872) 1
- Chapter 205, Sec. 14, of the Public Laws of Massachusetts Section 719, 2 Hill’s Code 1
- In re strickler 33 pac 620 (1893); Sec 25, 2d Hill; Sec 657 1st Hill; Sec 676 2st Hill; 2nd Hill Sec 1348 1
- Seattle, King County Ordinance NO.4900 1
- Section 11 of the act of July 14, 1870 which relates to income 1
People
- Jacobs, Orange 25
- Van De Vanter, A. T. 10
- Reed, Charles S. (Reid) 9
- Cann, T. H. 5
- Hawkins, J. E. 5
- De Bruler, Ellis 4
- Holloway, George M. (Clerk) 4
- Austin, C. G. 3
- Dore, John Francis 3
- Andrews, L.B. (clerk) 2
- Burch, Frederick 2
- Larson, Ed. 2
- McElroy, James E. 2
- Peterson, Fred H. 2
- Wiestling, Frank Beecher 2
- No Label 1
- Challand, C. J. (Deputy), Holloway 1
- C.W. Corliss (Notary Public). 1
- George M. (Clerk) 1
- Moore, William Hickman (Witness). 1
- Penner, Earle R. (Deputy) 1
- Piddeaux, Thomas (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Pidduck, H. Thomas (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Sullivan, John (Captain of Police); Jacobs, Orange (Witness) 1
- Chiory, Chin (interpreter) 1
- Albertson, R. B. 1
- Allen, Jay A. (Notary), Holloway, George M. (Clerk), Coreall(?), Walt (Deputy Clerk), Burk, J. W. (Deputy), Pruner, George D.C. (U.S. Commissioner and original judge who ordered petitioner’s deportation before stayed by Judge Hanford). 1
- Anderson, Ole (Surety for Petitioner) 1
- attorney for party unclear); Humes, Thomas J. (mayor of Washington, Seattle); Humphrey, William E. (notary) 1
- Bagley, C. B. (Notary Public) 1
- Baker, William E. 1
- Ballard, (Attorney) 1
- Bernhardt, Benjamin J. (Surety for Petitioner) 1
- Billings, William (Sheriff) 1
- Blackburn, John T. (Notary Public) 1
- Bluy, James F. M. 1
- Bond, Daniel W. (Judge of case where alleged crime of juror corruption occurred) 1
- Bradshaw, Charles M. (Bradshaus, Burdsham) 1
- Britton, Walter 1
- Burke, J. H. (Deputy) 1
- Burke, T. H. (Deputy) 1
- Burns, John E. 1
- Campbell, John R. (Assistant Clerk) 1
- Cann, T.H. (Judge) 1
- Chow, Ah 1
- Corcoran, William (Deputy) 1
- Coulter, Samuel 1
- Davisson, D. W. C. (sheriff) 1
- Denning, J. Henry 1
- Denning, J. Henry (Notary Public) 1
- Dominick, George (Notary Public) 1
- Donworth, Joseph F. 1
- Dore, John F. (additional attorney for Williamson), Freeman, M. M. (files complaint that leads to arrest), Jacobs, Hiram J. (public notary), Holloway, Geo. M. (clerk), Van De Vanter, A. T. (Sheriff) 1
- Dore, John F. (additional attorney with Foster), Jacobs, Hiram (public notary), Freeman, M. M. (files complaint that leads to arrest), Van De Vanter, A. T. (Sheriff) 1
- Downie, Annie (Annie Shawl) 1
- Downing, Oliver (Defendant in Jury Corruption case) 1
- Doyle, James (Captain) 1
- Droxinman, Moses (agent for the petitioner), Holloway, Geo. M. (clerk), Jaffery, A. (deputy clerk), Crawford, J. P. (deputy clerk) 1
- Elroy, F.M. 1
- Ferguson, Harry 1
- Filger, Edward 1
- Foster, Dora 1
- Foye, John E. (Foy) 1
- Fulton, Walter S. 1
- Geary, William H. 1
- Gorg, Ah 1
- Gorman, Richard 1
- Greene, Roger Sherman 1
- Guie, E. H. 1
- Halloway, George M. (Clerk) 1
- Ham, Ah 1
- Hanford, C. H. 1
- Hardin, Thomas B. 1
- Harrison, E. M. (Seaman and Witness) 1
- Hart, John B. 1
- Hawk, W. C. 1
- Hazelton, Frank 1
- Henry, H. A. 1
- Higgins, D. 1
- Hobensteiner, Bernard (Witness) 1
- Holloway, Geo M. (Clerk) 1
- Holloway, Geo. M. (clerk), Burke, J. D. (deputy 1
- Holloway, George M. (clerk); Parrigo, W. W. (Bailiff/ Officer); Parr, Will H. (City comptroller and ex-officio City Clerk of the City of Seattle); Penner, Earle R. (Deputy); Pidduck, Thomas H. (Deputy clerk); Oliver, R. J. (Deputy); Cole, Irving T. (Notary); Connell, G. K. (deputy clerk); McArdle, William (Witness); Crichton, J. E. (Witness); McAndrew, W. S. (unclear 1
- Holloway, George M (Clerk); Piddeaux, Thomas (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Holloway, George M. (clerk); Wallace, John (Deputy Clerk); Moye, William H. (sheriff issuing warrant); Hays, W. F. (Notary) 1
- Holloway, George M. (Clerk), Nallaw, John (Deputy), Dore, John F. (former attorney of H. G. Martin during previous divorce and alimony proceedings), Guie, E. H. (Josie Martin’s attorney from alimony case and empowered to collect), Burch, F. R. (additional attorney for H. G. Martin), Morris, George E. (additional attorney for Josie Martin during divorce proceedings) 1
- Holloway, George M. (clerk), Ward, Irving (police sergeant) 1
- Houghton, J. H. (Clerk) 1
- Howe, 1
- Hughes, R. D. 1
- Jacobs, Hiram (Notary Public in and for King County) 1
- Jacobs, Hiram J. (Notary Public) 1
- Jacobs, Hiram J. (Notary), Freeman, M. M. (files complaint that leads to arrest), Holloway, George M. (Clerk), Van Der Vanter, A. T. (Sheriff), Brewster, Jas W. (Deputy), Dore, John F. (Attorney with Hawkins) 1
- Jan, Joe (Do Gin) 1
- Jenkins, Will D. (Cosignatory for Washington Governor) 1
- Jenner, 1
- Kim, Seo 1
- Kriete, Edward C. 1
- Lamb, C. T. 1
- Leary, John (notary) 1
25 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the Matter of the Application of Samuel Coulter for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 22, 1872
- Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Petition of William H. Geary and William Williams for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 5, 1873
- Petition type(s): Carceral: mutiny
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Han Lee for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Seo Kim
- Earliest record date: January 21, 1874
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: trafficking
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of application for Habeas Corpus for Jay Roy
- Earliest record date: May 3, 1898
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of Application of W.E. Baker - Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 5, 1897
- Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Hallie Winslow et al Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 6, 1898
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: kidnapping
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Mary Quine for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 7, 1898
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of F. Hazleton Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 9, 1898
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of Tom Nelson Writ Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 29, 1898
- Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of John E. Foye for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 11, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: Corruption of a Juror | Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Illegal confinement of Adelaide Shawl and Hazel Shawl
- Earliest record date: June 10, 1899
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the illegal confinement of Nellie Louisa Lopez
- Earliest record date: July 17, 1899
- Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party
In the matter of the application of Stephen Lyts for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 19, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In Matter of the Petition Ed Larson for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 14, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
- 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 the application of H. G. Martin for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 10, 1898
- Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the Application of Edward Filger for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 20, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application of Adam Treger for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 14, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In Re Petition of Do Gin for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 18, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Harry Ferguson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 9, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- 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
In the Matter of the Application of Dora Foster for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of Lola Williamson for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Leon Richardson for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
- Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In re Ah Sing and Ah Yoel
- Earliest record date: October 25, 1873
- Petition type(s): Carceral: tax
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
