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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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1876 results

In the matter of the application of Rasmus Oleson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of H. Segawa against Claude Bannick Chief of Police

  • Earliest record date: February 8, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Re: Petition of Charles W. Nordstrom for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 25, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deceased

In the matter of the application of Otto F. Lindner for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 19, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • 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 Anna Citta for writ of Habeas Corpus for Francis Citta

  • Earliest record date: July 29, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Henry Neal for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 8, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: arson
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Ernest R. Powell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 3, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Pat Martin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 16, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: petty larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application Lulu Huffman for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 5, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

The State of Nebraska vs. Frank Kelley

  • Earliest record date: September 7, 1867
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the Matter of the Application of Margaret Roy, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 24, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Fred Evers by Christ Evers, his father and next friend, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 28, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Joseph Wells v. William A Church & Martha Church

  • Earliest record date: November 25, 1877
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody | Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re application of Pete Wolf for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Charles Jackson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Daniel Buckovis for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 16, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to commit great bodily injury
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Sulton Shoenbrum for Writ of Habeas Corpus Vs. John J. Donahue, Chief of Police of the City of Omaha

  • Earliest record date: June 15, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application and Petition of Donald Warner and Floyd Warner for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 8, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: stealing an automobile
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application and petition of George Schriner for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 10, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of William Deles Dernier and Gertrude I. Deles Dernier for writ of habeas corpus of Chester Deles Dernier

  • Earliest record date: February 4, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: desertion | Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Lillian Algoe for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 9, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: blackmail
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Arthur Moraine for a writ of habeas corpus for a minor child named Richard Moraine, and also known as Richard Murray

  • Earliest record date: September 18, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Xavier Castle for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 10, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Walter Scott for a writ of habeas corpuswa

  • Earliest record date: November 2, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: spousal custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Thomas Vann for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 12, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Petition of George Arthur Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus for George Uber

  • Earliest record date: May 16, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of H. A. Reese for a writ of Habeas Corpus for & on behalf of Grant Willoby

  • Earliest record date: February 11, 1895
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Joseph Ranzer

  • Earliest record date: October 16, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In the matter of the application of Lucy C. Schwalba for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 7, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Frank B. Wiestling for a Writ Habeas Corpus for Clyde Brownsfield

  • Earliest record date: January 29, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Unknown
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Arthur B. Carter, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 Louis Katz for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 29, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: deportation
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

State of Nebraska ex Relative Alvira E. Britton, Plaintiff Vs. Stephen W. Bryant and Alice Bryant, Defendants

  • Earliest record date: June 5, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | new custody arrangement reached

In re Application of Patty McFadon for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 8, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of Alice A. Parker for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 31, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of Edgar I. Fuller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 27, 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 J. W. Tripp for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 3, 1867
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Nina P. Robotham, a minor, by Robert G. Robotham, her next friend, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 29, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of J. P. Disbrow for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 27, 1868
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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 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 Agnes Smith for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 24, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: disability
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of application of Ruth McLane for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 10, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of William M. Rhyn for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 4, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: sabbath breaking
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Charles W. Willard for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 9, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of J. R. Moore against Edward Cudihee Sheriff

  • Earliest record date: May 29, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: conspiracy to defraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Ah Sing for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 19, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application and Petition of Nathan Boynum, for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 6, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody
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