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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 Lulu Huffman for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 19, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the application of Hans A Hulke for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 24, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Harry Meehan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 7, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of application of Charles Flournoy for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 9, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Frank Davies for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Application of Ex Rel Henry Hoffman vs. Michael Clark Sheriff of Douglas County and Sherman Clayton Jailer

  • Earliest record date: June 10, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 re application of Williams Alfredo for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 18, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful detention
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Application of Anthony C. Wagner for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment | Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of application of Agnes Marshall for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 13, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Dismissed

In the matter of the application of Martin D. Reilly and Christy Reilly for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 29, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Robert Ross for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Louie Charles for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 20, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
  • 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

In the matter of the application of Leo Lung-Oh for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 21, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: deportation
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of application of Margaret Grundy by Mrs. Roy Davis her mother and next friend for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 23, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Esther A. Johnson, Chief Juvenile Officer for writ of Habeas Corpus (Harry Litter) [Little]

  • Earliest record date: February 3, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

On the matter of the application of A. P. Scruggs for writ of Habeas Corpus for Charles Moore

  • Earliest record date: November 18, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of application of Cloid J. Wilson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 29, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of George Taylor for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 22, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: August 19, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: parole violation
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Vito Cheala for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 21, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: suspicious character
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

State 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

In the matter of the application of William A Mixon for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 14, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wanted for questioning
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 re application of Frank Kreishutz for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 14, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Gordon Wells for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 2, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Edna Sullivan and Geraldine Sullivan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 10, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Laura M. Parker for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Joyce McCaulley and Ray McCaulley Jr.

  • Earliest record date: April 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

On the relation of Mrs. Lottie Parsons Relator vs. St. James Orphan Asylum Respondent

  • Earliest record date: October 9, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of application of Charles Hoban for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 26, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: stealing an automobile | Carceral: receiving a stolen automobile
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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

  • Earliest record date: September 2, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of John F. Kinney for writ of Habeas Corpus for John F. Kinney Jr. Catherine Kinney and Margaret Kinney

  • Earliest record date: January 2, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In reapplication of James Miller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 22, 1895
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Salvatore Giampapa for a writ Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of George Vallas for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 20, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of R. H. Johnson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 2, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Knud Knudsen for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 18, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of city ordinance | Carceral: selling and offering for sale milk and cream below the standard
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Ike Payne for writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Michael L. Clark Sheriff, Respondent

  • Earliest record date: September 12, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Arthur Williams for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • 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

In the matter of the application of John D. Decora for writ H. C.

  • Earliest record date: March 14, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: adultery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the Petition of Roy C. Jordan for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 20, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Louis A. Borsheim and Helen A. Borsheim for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the matter of the application of Calorina Merales for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 15, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: carrying a concealed weapon
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

On the Matter of the Application of Susie Hunter for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 19, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application Susie Jackson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 5, 1915
  • Petition type(s): 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 Henry Combs for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Thomas Combs and Charles Ross

  • Earliest record date: April 9, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawfully collecting and removing garbage, ashes, filth, and other refuse matter without a contract
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Mike Aboud for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 21, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party
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