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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.
Featured story: The Habeas Corpus and Divorce Proceedings of Katie Mayes
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Filter by:
Petition Subtype
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 8
- Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses 4
- Carceral: robbery and battery 4
- Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper 4
- Carceral: cause unspecified 2
- Carceral: default of bail 2
- Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house 2
- Carceral: statutory rape 2
- Carceral: wrongful imprisonment 2
- Institutional: public health detention 2
- Interpersonal: child custody 2
- Carceral 1
- Carceral: assault with intent to commit great bodily injury 1
- Carceral: assault with intent to commit rape 1
- Carceral: breaking and entering 1
- Carceral: gambling 1
- Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home 1
- Carceral: larceny 1
- Carceral: reckless driving 1
- Carceral: robbery 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 23
- Female 2
- Unindicated 1
Age of Bound Party
- Adult 20
- Minor 4
- Unindicated 1
Points of Law Cited
- U.S.-U.K. Treaty of August 9, 1842 4
- U.S.-U.K. Treaty of December 13, 1900 4
- U.S.-U.K. Treaty of July 12, 1889 4
- U.S. Const. amend. V 2
- Compiled Statutes of Nebraska § 330, P. 2481 which requires that a person have complaints/charges filed against them in order to be taken into custody. 1
- House Roll No. 47 (Repeal of § 8635, Approved by Governor 16 March 1915) 1
- Nebraska Revised Statutes 1913 § 8635 1
- Section 16, Chapter 186, Laws of Nebraska 1917 as amended by Section 16, Chapter 156, Laws of Nebraska, 1921 (Section Laws 1921, Page 639) 1
- Section 330, pg. 2481 of the Compiled Statues of Nebraska 1
People
- Jamieson, William Nicholas (Jameson) 26
- O’Sullivan, Eugene D. (E. D.) 24
- Smith, Robert (Clerk) 14
- Clark, Michael L. 10
- Foster, Charles E. 8
- Troupe, A. C. (Troup) 7
- Eberstein, Marshall 6
- Southard, Charles J. 5
- Boehler, Edwin C. 4
- Briggs, John 4
- Corcoran, Michael (Cochoran) 4
- Hoyt, R. C. (clerk) 4
- Madden, Ray J. (attorney) 4
- More, Mr. Clair E. (attorney) 4
- Nicholson, John (deputy clerk) 4
- Nickerson, James B. 4
- Nugent, Horace D. (Canadian Consul General, complainant) 4
- Redick, William A. 4
- Smith, Robert [clerk] 4
- Southard, 4
- Steele Jr., Asel [deputy] 4
- Woodrough, Joseph William 4
- Berger, Alta (Alta Burger) 3
- Clark, Michael L. [sheriff] 3
- Edwards, J. F. 3
- Fitzgerald, James M. (James J.) 3
- Foster, W.A. [deputy] 3
- Goss, Charles A. 3
- Henshaw, Art (alleged co-conspirator) 3
- Leslie, Charles 3
- Mahony, Charles A. (complainant, police commissioner) 3
- Mason, Lewis T. (U.S. commissioner) 3
- Quinley, E. J. (deputy U.S. marshal) 3
- Sears, Willis G. 3
- Shelton, J. B. (alleged co-conspirator) 3
- Shotwell, Abel V. 3
- Slusky, John (alleged victim) 3
- Steere, Asel, Jr. (deputy) 3
- Clark, Michael L. (sheriff of Douglas County) 2
- Clark, Michael L. (Sheriff) 2
- Dunn, John T. (John J. Dunn) 2
- Magney, George A. (county attorney) 2
- McShane, Jr., Felix J. (F. J.) 2
- Morrissey, Andrew Marcus 2
- Murray, Thomas B. 2
- Pierson, Axel F. (Pirson) 2
- Schroeder, Henry 2
- Smith, Robert (clerk of District Court of Douglas County) 2
- Steere, Asel Jr. (deputy clerk); 2
- Steere Jr., Asel (Deputy) 2
- Van Duesen, Charles H. (Van Deusen) 2
- Wheeler, Perry (clerk of Douglas County Police Court) 2
- 1
- Smith, Louis (alleged victim) 1
- Ahko, Louis (witness on behalf of the defendant) 1
- Allisen, Katherin C. [owned the house the petitioners allegedly broke into] 1
- Amsbury, Darius M. (Secretary of State) 1
- Anderson, J. F. (Witness for Respondent) 1
- Barron, (alleged victim) 1
- Beal, Henry J. 1
- Becker, Harry (Isic Fuerht) 1
- Boucher, John J. (unspecified) 1
- Breene, G. B. (supreme court deputy) 1
- Brlitz (witness) 1
- Bryan, Charles Wayland 1
- Burelierd, Porter (witness) 1
- Byrnes, John (City Jailor) 1
- Cahill, Mattie 1
- Callahan, James F. (Police Judge) 1
- Cassidy, Ed (Deputy) 1
- Christ, George (Witness for Respondent) 1
- Clark, Micheal L. (Sheriff) 1
- Cline, Phillip (witness on behalf of the defendant) 1
- Coffey, Raymond T. (R. T. Coffey) 1
- Compton, Harry A. (aliases LeRoy Compton and Wyley Compton) 1
- Compton, Wiley 1
- Cooper, J.K. 1
- Crompe, Joe (witness on behalf of the defendant) 1
- Davis, Charles E. (Notary Public) 1
- Demisto, Frank (witness) 1
- Dempsey, Michael F. (Police Captain) 1
- Dillon, Peter H. 1
- Dineen, Frank Michael (F. M. Dineen) 1
- Doe, John 1
- Doe, John (hc.case.ne.1260) 1
- Dunn, Henry W. (Chief of Police) 1
- Dunn, John J (prosecutor) 1
- Dunn, John T. [gave evidence against the men at the preliminary hearing] 1
- Endres, L. [sheriff] 1
- Endres, Michael (sheriff) 1
- Falconer, Edward 1
- Farrell, Cornelious (deputy) 1
- Fleharty, Harry B. 1
- Fleming (witness) 1
- Foster, W. A. (deputy sheriff) 1
- Fox, Stanely 1
- Fuller, L. L. (Witness for Respondent) 1
- Garner, Otto (witness on behalf of the defendant) 1
- German, George L. (Complainant) 1
- Gillinsky, Dave (David) 1
26 results
Download JSON Download CSVState 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
Application of James Hallahan, Realator, for Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 16, 1913
- Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
- 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
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 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
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 re application for George W. Hahne and Elsie M. Hahne for writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Fred E. Sawtell and Mary A. Sawtell
- Earliest record date: August 9, 1918
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of application of Stanley Fox for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 18, 1919
- Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape | Carceral: default of bail
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of application of Joseph O'Hara for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 18, 1919
- Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to commit rape
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application of Edward Falconer for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 24, 1919
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party
In the matter of the application of Frank O'Neill - Dave Gillinsky, A. F. Pirson first and real name unknown Art Williams and William Larsen for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: December 10, 1919
- Petition type(s): Carceral: breaking and entering
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody | remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Thomas F. Kelly F.A. Kane and Wiley Compton for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 4, 1920
- Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny | Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In re application of William Johnson for writ Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 24, 1920
- Petition type(s): Carceral: statutory rape | Carceral: default of bail
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
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
The State of Nebraska, upon the relation of Opal Rogers, Complaint, vs. Marshall Eberstein, Chief of Police of Omaha, Nebr. and Alta Berger, Matron and Superintendent of Omaha Detention Hospital, Eleventh and Dodge Sts., Omaha, Nebraka, 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
In re application of Daisy Hartman for Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 13, 1920
- Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Released on bail
In the matter of the application of Harry Becker also known as Isic Feurht for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 4, 1920
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of application of Harold Savage for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 27, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
The United States of America upon the relation of John R. Howard v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska
- Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
The United States of America upon the relation of Harry Compton v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska
- Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
The United States of America upon the relation of Arthur Wyse v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska
- Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
The United States of America upon the relation of Axel Pierson v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska
- Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Oliver Watson for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 14, 1922
- Petition type(s): Carceral: reckless driving
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of application of George Painter for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 18, 1922
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Charles [Charles scratched out] Mae Smith for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 6, 1922
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Harry E. Miller for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 19, 1923
- Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
