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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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State
- Washington 26
- Nebraska 1
Petition Subtype
- Carceral: immigration 5
- Carceral 4
- Carceral: drug use 3
- Carceral: cause unspecified 2
- Carceral: no charge 2
- Carceral: vagrancy 2
- Carceral: assault and battery 1
- Carceral: being a disorderly person 1
- Carceral: contributing to the delinquency of a child 1
- Carceral: disorderly conduct 1
- Carceral: fugitive from justice 1
- Carceral: insubordination to superior officer 1
- Carceral: larceny 1
- Carceral: possession of cocaine leaves 1
- Carceral: public charge 1
- Carceral: transferring judgment for purpose of avoiding state regulation 1
- Carceral: violation of city ordinance 1
- Interpersonal: child custody 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Male 23
- Unindicated 3
- Female 2
Age of Bound Party
- Unindicated 18
- Adult 9
- Minor 2
Points of Law Cited
- 28 Stat. 390; Way Tai, 96 Fed. 484; Section 25, of the Immigration Act of February 20, 1907 (Stat. pp. 898, 906); Section 179, R.S. U.S.; Executive order (No. 1783); In re Tsuie Shee, et al.; Brooke v. Covinggrove, 177 U.S. 459; Gody v. Pentland, 85 Pa. 22; U. S. v. Williams, 190 Fed. 898; 4 Stat. L. 197 1
- Harrison Act 1
- Laws of Washington, 1909, page 908, Section 59 “Whenever a person has been held to answer any criminal charge, if an indictment be not found or information filed against him within thirty days, the Court shall order the prosecution to be dismissed unless good cause to the contrary be shown.” 1
- Ordinance No. 9744 of the City of Seattle, 1903 1
- People vs. People, 8 Howard Practice, N. Y.; Cyc. 80 Practice, Vol. 29, p. 15; Cyc. Vol. 29, p. 1588; Cyc. Vol. 29, p. 1583; Section 1979 of the Revised Statutes of the United States; DeManneville vs. DeManneville, 10 Ves. 52 1
- Provisions of 531 c of the Code of Civil Procedure 1
- Seattle City Ordinance No. 5657, Section 1 1
- Section 14, subdivisions 8 and 9 of an ordinance of said city of said Seattle, Numbered 5657 as approved November 17, 1899 Chapter 35 of the law of the Legislature of the State of Washington, passed in 1901, found on page 34 and 3 of the session laws of the Legislature of Washington of 1901 1
- Treaty relations between the US and China; Chinese Exclusion Act; U.S. v. Williams, 190 Fed. 898; Ex Parte Mac Fock, 207 Fed. 696; Ah How v. United States, 193 U.S. 63; United States v. Lew Poy Dow (D.C.) 199 Fed. 786; Ex-parte Lam Pui, 217 Federal, page 462; Chin Yow v. United States; United States v. Redfern (D.C); United States v. Quan Wah (D.C.); United States v. Williams; People v. Van Zile; Boyd v. Glucklich; Leung Jun v. United States; United States v. Gin Fung; Lee Lung v. Patterson 1
- U.S. Constitution United States treaty regulations with France 1
- White-Slavery Act (Mann Act); The Immigration Act of March 26, 1910 (36 Stat. 264); United States v. Sibray, 178 Fed., 148, 149; 36 CYC., p.1118; People vs. Chicago, 152 Ill. App., 546-552; 38 N.E., 746; U. S. v. Williams, 200 Fed., 541-2; U. S. v. Williams, 189 Fed., 917; Frick vs. Lewis, 195 Fed., 696; U. S. vs. Martin, 193 Fed., 797 - 8; Ex parte Saraceno, 182 Fed., 957; Ex parte Patterson, 166 Fed., 539; Chin Yow v. U. S., 208 U.S., 11; Ex parte Long Lock, 173 Fed., 208; Yamataya v. Fisher, 189 U.S., 86; 47 Law Ed., 721; In re Unlawful Detention of Mullah Singh and Seventy-two other Hindu Aliens, Case No. 2532; Ekiu v. United States, 142 U.S., 651; 35 Law Ed., 1146; United States v. Ju Toy, 198 U.S., 253; Lee Moon Sing v. United States, 158 U.S.538; Du Bruler v. Gallo, 184 Fed., 566, at 569; Williams v. U. S., 186 Fed., 479; Sinis Calchi v. Thomas, 195 Fed., 701; United States v. Williams, 175 Fed., 274; Holy Trinity vs. U.S., 143 United States, 457; William Williams vs. United States, ex rel Antonios Bougaris, 186 Fed., 479; The Japanese case in 189 U.S. page 87; Fou Yue Tin vs. United States, 149 U. S. 698; 13 Sup. Ct. 1016; 37 L. Ed. 905; United States vs. Sibray, 178 Fed. pp. 148 and 149; 39 L. Ed. 1085; United States v. Freeman, 175 Fed. 274; Gonzales v. Williams, 192 U. S. 1 1
People
- Sullivan, John J. 27
- Bell, William R. 8
- Neterer, Jeremiah 8
- De Bruler, Ellis 7
- Koepfli, C. A. (Clerk) 6
- Allen, Clay 5
- Griffin, Arthur E. 5
- Sims, Frank E. 4
- White, Henry M. 4
- Beeler, Adam 3
- Beeler, J. G. 3
- George, R. R. 3
- Martin, Winter S. 3
- Moodie, Albert 3
- Brewster, J. M. (Deputy Clerk) 2
- Beyer, F. W. (Berger) 2
- Boyle, John M. 2
- Crosby, Frank L. (Clerk) 2
- Cudihee, Edward (Served Writ) 2
- Fishburne, George P. 2
- Koepfli, C. A. (Clerk); Corcoran, William (Deputy); Cudihee, Edward (Sheriff) 2
- Monroe, Henry 2
- Slomen, Barney 2
- Smith, Harry 2
- Wiestling, Frank Beecher 2
- 1
- Bentick (first name unclear, notary) 1
- Holloway, George M. (clerk) 1
- Humes, Thomas J. (judge); Carroll, H. W. (deputy) 1
- Riplinger, John (City comptroller); Raymond, A. F. (deputy) 1
- Ahdylla, Mir 1
- Alam, Mohd 1
- Albertson, R. B. 1
- Ali, Ahas 1
- Ali, Bagh 1
- Ali, Faizand 1
- Ali, Rahmat 1
- Ali, Sultan 1
- Alla, Rahmat 1
- Altschuler, Alex 1
- Armstrong, H. 1
- Baker, Benjamin S. 1
- Bartlett, Leon 1
- Bartlett, Michael 1
- Blake, Henry P. 1
- Bostwick, Harrison 1
- Bowman, A.C. (U.S. Commissioner) 1
- Boyle, John H. 1
- Boyle, John M. (U.S Marshal) 1
- Brewster, J. W. (Deputy) 1
- Brewster, J. W. (Notary Public) 1
- Broadwell, Frank A. (clerk) 1
- Brockway, Earl B. 1
- Brown, Fred C. 1
- Brown, John 1
- But, Ali 1
- Calhain , John C. 1
- Center, John H. (U.S. Atty for VT) 1
- Chapin, Ida 1
- Chin, Wing Hin [Chin, We Hue] (father of bound party) 1
- Cook, S.M.H. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Coverian, William (Deputy) 1
- Crandall, Esther 1
- Crosby, Frank L. (Clerk); Jakin, Ed M. (Deputy Clerk); Thiel, C. M. (Clerk); Kecuace, S. A. (Notary Public); Hunter, B. A. (Immigration Inspector); Saito, Hana (Alleged Prostitute); Ito, K. (Witness); Umeda, K. (Witness); Washio, Shotaro (Witness); Sheesbrer, Walter A. (Notary Public); White, Alfred T. (Inspector, Signatory Witness); Saito, T. (Signatory Witness); Umeda (Head Hunter); Fisher, Thos M. (Immigration Inspector); Harris, Walter P. (Stenographer); De Bruler, Ellis (Commissioner of Immigration); Larned, F. H. (Acting Commissioner-General); Jacoby, Joseph R. H. (U. S. Marshall) 1
- Crosby, Frank L. (Clerk); Sargent, John H. (Assistant Commissioner); Boyle, John M. (U.S. Marshall); Lakin, Ed M. (Deputy) 1
- Crosby, Frank L (clerk;) Beele, Adam (Notary Public) 1
- Crosby, Frank L. (clerk;) Lakin, Ed M. (deputy;) Boyle, John M. (U.S. marshal;) Talley, John (deputy warden;) Secrist, John T. (deputy;) Huely, Neel G. (notary public;) Flynn, Thomas A. (Arizona attorney;) Kitt, George F. (foreman of the grand jury;) Chatham, Herbert R. (witness;) Gorman, W. J. (witness;) Drachman, Mose (clerk;) Sawtelle, William H. (judge;) Batts, Effie D. (deputy) 1
- Crowell, Edward C. 1
- Cudihee, Ed (Sheriff) Koepfli, C. A. (Clerk) Brewster, J. W. (Deputy Clerk) Brily, R. T. (Police Officer) 1
- Cudihee, Edward (Cudahee) 1
- Cushman, Edward E. 1
- Cushman, Edward E. (Judge) 1
- Dattin, Eshel D. (U.S. Atty) 1
- Den, Umar 1
- Densmore, J. B. 1
- Densmore, J. B. (Solicitor of Department of Labor) 1
- Din, Chiragh 1
- Din, Ibrahim 1
- Din, Ismail 1
- Din, Madda 1
- Din, Nyzam 1
- Doyle, James H. (Notary Public) 1
- Emory, George Meade 1
- Estelle, Lee L. (judge of district court) 1
- George, Robert R. (police judge) 1
- Going, R. N. (Deputy Clerk) 1
- Goldman, Mike 1
- Gordon, Samual J. (police judge) 1
- Gordon, T.W. (Clerk); Smith, I.N. (Deputy Clerk); Olillard, L.S. (Deputy Clerk); Talliman, Boyd J. (Notary Public); Bordwick, R. (Notary Public) 1
- Gowan, Richard 1
- Green, Meyer 1
- Gum, Sam (NG Yam) 1
- Hadley, Edgar 1
- Halligan, O. P. 1
- Hanson, John 1
- Harrison, William 1
- Harshberger, F. M. (Clerk) 1
- Hawkins, J. E. 1
- Heard, J. F. 1
- Herdman, Lee (clerk) 1
27 results
Download JSON Download CSVIn the matter of the Application of John Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 6, 1894
- Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Meyer Green for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 10, 1901
- Petition type(s): Carceral: transferring judgment for purpose of avoiding state regulation
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of William Harrison for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 19, 1901
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Edward Ladd for writ of Habeas Corpus Case No:34690
- Earliest record date: February 11, 1902
- Petition type(s): Carceral | Carceral: fugitive from justice
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Andrew Knup for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 16, 1902
- Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Frances Palmer for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 18, 1902
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the Imprisonment C. C. Smith Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 18, 1902
- Petition type(s): Carceral: being a disorderly person
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the Petition of Frank E. Sims for Habeaus Corpus for F. W. Beyer
- Earliest record date: December 10, 1902
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the Petition of Frank E. Sims for Habeaus Corpus for F. W. Beyer
- Earliest record date: December 10, 1902
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the petition of M. Bartlett for a writ of Habeas Corpus for L. Bartlett
- Earliest record date: December 20, 1902
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of B. W. Wittekopf application for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 1, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of B. E. Miller for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 1, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the petition of Sarah B. Leray for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 8, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Richard Henry Walton for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 17, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the petition of Swan Larson for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 17, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of W. H. Upplinger for writ of H. C
- Earliest record date: September 8, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of city ordinance
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Mike Goldman for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 29, 1903
- Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
Habeas Corpus of Esther Crandell against Robert Hodge, Sheriff
- Earliest record date: January 11, 1912
- Petition type(s): Carceral: contributing to the delinquency of a child
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the Unlawful Detention of Seventy-Six Hindus.
- Earliest record date: October 8, 1912
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of George Alexander Mirianon, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 19, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: insubordination to superior officer
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of CHIN HING, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.
- Earliest record date: September 28, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Chin Quock Wah for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 14, 1914
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
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
Harry Smith and Barney Slomen 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 Yo You Jam, for a writ of habeas corpus.
- Earliest record date: August 4, 1916
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- 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 the Application of Sam Gum, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 26, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Deceased | exhibits withdrawn
