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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.

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Repository : Douglas County District Court (Omaha, Nebraska)

517 results

In the matter of the application of John Rooney for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 17, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the application of Ed. Collins for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 10, 1889
  • 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 William Giles for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 18, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of William H. Martin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 1, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John W. McMenemy for and on behalf of John W. McMenemy Jr., otherwise known as "Dot" McMenemy for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 26, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Claude H. Goldsborough on relation of his mother Izora I. Goldsborough for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 28, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the matter of the application of Ugean Miller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 1, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: petty larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Otilla Brinkman for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 14, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of August C. Uhtof for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Charles H. Gaydou for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Charles Gaydou

  • Earliest record date: November 21, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached | released from custody

In re-application of A. B. Cabe for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 5, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Robert H. Robinson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 15, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Louis S. Lathrop for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 8, 1877
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the matter of the application of Maria Miller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 7, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of James Herbert Van Closter and Andrew W. McLaughlin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 3, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: mortgage fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of W. H. Harvey for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 10, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Irwin A. Medlar for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 11, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: seduction
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of Application of Rose Dodson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 19, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In matter of application of Mortimer Fox by Parke Godwin for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 13, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of August Uhl for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: horse stealing
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Mortimer Fox by his next friend and counsel Parke Godwin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 24, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of George Garlick for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 12, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of William Butt for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 15, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Mrs. Jennie Wingate for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 21, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Albert Davidson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 22, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of John W. McDaniel for a writ of Habeas Corpus for William C. McDaniel

  • Earliest record date: June 23, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Matter of the Application by Henry Burman for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for May Burman

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached | released from custody

In the matter of the application of F. J. Phillips for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 17, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Anton Berneker for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 2, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Matter of Application of Emma Clifton for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 16, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of William P. Dinkens for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 24, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Dick Creol for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 16, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to wound
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of M. D. Getchie for discharge on writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 29, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of August Klabunde for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 10, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Ben Shear for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 17, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: infamous crime against nature with a beast
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Fred L. Grantham for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Matter of Application of Charles (Chas.) Stevens for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 25, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: malicious destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Michael Kaufman for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 5, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: malicious destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Application of James Sparks for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 2, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: malicious destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the re-application of N. D. Coleman for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 5, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of William F. Herman for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 5, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Application of James (Jas.) H. Howard for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 13, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of James E. Moore for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 19, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the application of Andrew Anderson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 5, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the re-application of Andrew Anderson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 8, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of John Nelson, Henry Overgard, and James Noscov for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 9, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: dumping garbage
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Application of Maggie Jones for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 12, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of C. S. West for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 1, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Chas. Graham for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 29, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of L. Griffith for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 1, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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