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
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Filter by:
Petition Subtype
- Interpersonal: child custody 15
- Carceral 3
- Institutional: insanity 2
- Institutional: juvenile detention 2
- Carceral: Bastardy 1
- Carceral: disorderly conduct 1
- Carceral: disturbing the peace 1
- Carceral: drunk and disorderly 1
- Carceral: fraud 1
- Carceral: keeping and harboring a dog without a license 1
- Carceral: seduction 1
- Carceral: selling liquor without a license 1
- carceral: unlawfully keeping and operating a pool and billiard table 1
- Institutional: child custody 1
- Institutional: disability 1
- Interpersonal: marital dispute 1
- Interpersonal: spousal custody 1
Sex of Bound Party
- Female 10
- Male 7
- Unindicated 1
People
- Colby, Leonard W. (L.W. Colby) 8
- Lenhart, F. E. (clerk) 8
- Pemberton, Leander M. 7
- Broady, J. H. 5
- Hughes, F. D. (deputy clerk); 5
- Letton, C. B. (Charles B.) 5
- Bush, J. E. 4
- Callison, J. A. 4
- Buchanan, Elmer 3
- Prout, F. N. 3
- Richards, W. H. 3
- Sabin, R. W. 3
- Vasey, Walter 3
- Wasson, Hardy 3
- Acton, F. W. (deputy sheriff) 2
- Ashby, W.H. 2
- Brewster, Chas. L 2
- Dolew, John C. 2
- Hardy, A. 2
- Hazlett, 2
- Jack, 2
- Kyd, Robert 2
- Laughlin, Loren H. 2
- Messmore, Fred W. 2
- Rinaker, Samuel 2
- Sackett, 2
- A. J. Trude (sheriff), F. H. Bauke (deputy), John R. Quein (clerk), F. E. Bourne (deputy), Chas S. Chandler (notary), G. W. Straugh (summoned witness), E. Eckert (summoned witness), Harry Hauseman (summoned witness). 1
- A. M. Eulone (additional counsel for petitioner), C. E. Bush (additional counsel for petitioner), F. M. Davis (additional counsel for the respondents), Griggs (additional counsel for the respondents), Robert Kyd (Sheriff), R. M. Laflin (Clerk), R. R. Kyd (Deputy) 1
- Allyn, Arthur E. 1
- Alton, R. J. 1
- Alvord, Martha 1
- Alvord, William 1
- Anderson, John (petitioner witness) 1
- Anderson, Mrs. John (petitioner witness) 1
- Appelget, T. 1
- Armstrong, Lydia 1
- Armstrong, Mary Jane 1
- Armstrong, William W. 1
- Atterbury, Mrs. John (petitioner witness) 1
- Avey, S. H. (deputy clerk) 1
- Barnett, A.N. [deputy] 1
- Barnica, Albert 1
- Barnica, B. F. (petitioner witness), Pelton, Arthur (petitioner witness) 1
- Barnica, Hattie M. 1
- Barnica, Joe (petitioner witness) 1
- Betto, J. B. 1
- Borrow, Nora (petitioner witness) 1
- Bourne, W. S. 1
- Boward, Solomon 1
- Boward, Theodore 1
- Boward, William 1
- Brabec, Annie 1
- Brabec, Arthur 1
- Brabec, Emma 1
- Brabec, Joseph 1
- Brabec, Lillie 1
- Brabec, Mary 1
- Brabec, Willie 1
- Braman, Arthur (petitioner witness) 1
- Bush, 1
- Bush, Fulton 1
- Bush, Pemberton 1
- Carleton, Henry A. 1
- Cerbbay, J. E. 1
- Chandler, L.P. 1
- Charles E. Bush (notary), W. A. Morrison (witness), Geo. Borkhust (witness), H. S. John (witness) A. A. Wents (witness), Chas. Bowman (witness), J. A. Weaver (clerk), Lind Nelson (sheriff), H. Fulton Jr. (notary) 1
- Charles L. Brewster (clerk) W. A. Waddington (sheriff), O. E. Filley (deputy), Lind Nelson (Sheriff) 1
- Claybourn, Mary M. 1
- Claybourn, William 1
- Clesson, W. E. 1
- Clopper, John 1
- Cobbey, Jean 1
- Coffey, J.A. 1
- Covall, G.W. 1
- Cunningham, Mary V. 1
- Davis, E. F. 1
- Davis, M. B. 1
- Deacon, Mrs. W. L. (petitioner witness) 1
- Decor, Leroy C. (notary) 1
- Delehant, John 1
- Doe, John (hc.case.ne.1565) 1
- Drake, Francis W. 1
- Dunn, John A. 1
- Dunn, John A. [witness] 1
- Dyer, Ada 1
- Dyer, Caroline (Carolina Rosa Byrne) 1
- Dyer, John (John Gurnett Byrne) 1
- Dyer, Lewis B. 1
- E. E. Warrall (Deputy), F. H. Holt (Clerk) 1
- E. E. Warrall (Deputy), F. H. Holt (Clerk), A. V. S Saunders (Clerk), L. M. Pemberton (Previous attorney for Elmer Buchanan), Emily A. Snow (Witness), Patricia M Ayres (Witness) 1
- E. E. Warrall (Deputy), F. H. Holt (Clerk), E. J. Davis (Sheriff), J. R. Higgins (Witness), Lawrence Sheere (Witness), Richard Jussey (Witness), Altha Gaston (Witness), Dr. Edward Bates (Witness), Milley Kelley (Witness) 1
- Ellis, Elsworth 1
- Ellis, F. J. 1
- Ellis, Frank 1
- Ellis, Melinda 1
- Emery, J. C. 1
- Emery, J. C. (sheriff) 1
- Emery, J. C. (sheriff), Hozlett, A. (notary); 1
- Emery, S. C. (sheriff) 1
- Eulone, O. M. 1
32 results
Download JSON Download CSVThe People of the State of Nebraska vs. W.W. Armstrong and John A. Dunn
- Earliest record date: September 11, 1869
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of H.A. Carleton for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 6, 1880
- Petition type(s): Carceral: Bastardy
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Mary M. Claybourn by C. H. Kelly on her behalf for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: February 23, 1888
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the application of Elmer Buchanan for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 17, 1886
- Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the application of Elmer Buchanan by John C. Dolew on his behalf for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 29, 1888
- Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the Application of Melinda Ellis for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 19, 1890
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the Application of Auton Hauser for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 26, 1891
- Petition type(s): Carceral: disorderly conduct | Carceral: fraud
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the Application of L. M. Hunter for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 20, 1892
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of R. J. Alton for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 23, 1892
- Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor without a license
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 23, 1892
- Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Michael Kennedy for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 9, 1894
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Solomon Boward for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 25, 1894
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody | remained in custody
App. of Charles E. McHugh for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: March 6, 1896
- Petition type(s): Carceral: seduction
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Elmer Buchanan for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: April 20, 1896
- Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace | Carceral: drunk and disorderly
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the application of Sigmond Seaman for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 12, 1897
- Petition type(s): Carceral: keeping and harboring a dog without a license
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Application of Virgil Wilson Laverne Wilson and Frances Wilson for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: February 8, 1898
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the application of Gus Langston for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: May 13, 1882
- Petition type(s): carceral: unlawfully keeping and operating a pool and billiard table
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In Matter of Application of John C. Verbiest for writ of Habeas Corpus for body of Susie M. Verbiest an Infant
- Earliest record date: January 30, 1900
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the Matter of the Habeas Corpus of Caroline Dyer and John Dyer
- Earliest record date: August 20, 1907
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Mary V. Cunningham for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Ruby L. Lanham, Her minor Daughter
- Earliest record date: September 14, 1908
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the Matter of the Application of Allen Sharp for a Writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: July 9, 1909
- Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the Matter of the Application of Mary Brabec for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Annie Brabec, Lillie Brabec, Willie Brabec, Emma Brabec and Arthur Brabec
- Earliest record date: September 7, 1909
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Unknown
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of John Jakobowski for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: January 27, 1913
- Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
In the matter of the application of Charles W. Gerrish for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: September 9, 1913
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: spousal custody | Interpersonal: marital dispute
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Willis R. Kelly, on behalf of Phillip Kelly, a minor child, for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 24, 1913
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Clara E. Heaston for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: October 17, 1919
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
- Fate of bound party: Unknown
In the matter of the application of Agnes Smith for a writ of habeas corpus
- Earliest record date: January 19, 1918
- Petition type(s): Institutional: disability
- Petition outcome: Writ denied
- Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
In the matter of the application of Thomas Wyatt Robinson and Bessie Kraus for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 13, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of John C. Mischnick for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: November 7, 1921
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Gertie D. Folden for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: August 7, 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 Katherine M. Hauser for writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 4, 1923
- Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
In the matter of the application of Margaret Meyer for a writ of Habeas Corpus
- Earliest record date: June 9, 1921
- Petition type(s): Carceral
- Petition outcome: Writ allowed
- Fate of bound party: Released from custody
