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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 re application of Harry H. Schiffler father of Kathryn Elizabeth Schiffler, minor, for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 11, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Benjamin F. Dodd and Annie Dodd for Writ of Habeas Corpus on Behalf of Clara Blaire Dodd; Minnie Ray Dodd; Rose Allen Dodd, and Marvel Dodd, Minor Children of Petitioners

  • Earliest record date: June 16, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

J. H. Sheffler and Josephine Sheffler v. John B. Montague

  • Earliest record date: November 11, 1876
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

ex rel Lillian Quinn vs. Home of the Good Shepherd & Mother Superior Raphael

  • Earliest record date: March 8, 1915
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Oliver Lachapell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 31, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: using obscene language in the presence of women | 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 Gustave Berquest for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 1, 1874
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Charles Sitzman vs. L. C. Oberlies, A. E. Allyn, Catherine Worley, as the Board of Commissioners of State Institutions of the State of Nebraska and Doctor S. J. Stewart, Superintendent Institution for Feeble Minded Youth

  • Earliest record date: April 28, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Edward B. Fuller for a Writ of Habeas Corpus to Discharge Him from the Illegal Restraint by William Billings at the Jail of said County

  • Earliest record date: June 13, 1877
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: making written threats | Carceral: accessory to polygamy
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of William C. Monohon for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 11, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling samples without a license | Carceral: municipal violation | Carceral: peddling without a license
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Darwin J. Calvert

  • Earliest record date: September 13, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Nathan Finegold for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Mahala, a free woman of color v. Martin Mitchell

  • Earliest record date: July 20, 1832
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Yaichiro Goto, otherwise known as Yaichiro Matsuo, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 21, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: moral turpitude
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported | remained in custody

In the Matter of the Petition of Robert Gillis for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 22, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Soo Hoo Wing for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 3, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Order of discharge | released from custody

In the matter of the application of Willie Vangart for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 24, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Application of Charles E. Wheeler for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 28, 1878
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Ex parte William Johnson

  • Earliest record date: October 11, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Anna Mead for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 3, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Charles Helfinger

  • Earliest record date: December 11, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

John Bryant vs. Territory of Nebraska

  • Earliest record date: September 27, 1865
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus of Ah Bow against Claude Bannick, Chief of Police

  • Earliest record date: September 8, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Mollie A. Calhoun, a minor

  • Earliest record date: March 23, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: June 2, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of James Shay for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 16, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunkenness
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In the matter of the application of John Reynolds for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 29, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of Mann Act/White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Matt G. Glasse for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 14, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • 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 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

In the matter of the application of Adolph Krug for writ of habeas corpus and release

  • Earliest record date: October 23, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of John Dugan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 29, 1887
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: accessory to the crime of murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Louis M. Cohn, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 17, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of George W. Anderson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus.

  • Earliest record date: October 2, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of John W. Cody for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 7, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Thomas J. Foster to be discharged from imprisonment

  • Earliest record date: March 17, 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 Moy Chong for a Writ of Habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 10, 1892
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Mary Marshall mother of Wm. Marshall an infant for a petition of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 8, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of Application of W.E. Baker - Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 5, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Sarah Bailey for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Charles Bailey

  • Earliest record date: March 28, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Charles Lind of King County Washington Territory for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 24, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: indebted to saloon keepers
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re Geo. Washington Kirk

  • Earliest record date: June 14, 1856
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Peter Westlin for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 15, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus in the Matter of Francis F. alias Francis M. Autle

  • Earliest record date: December 15, 1854
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | not in custody

In the Matter of Gottlieb Saifeelen

  • Earliest record date: January 6, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peace bond
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Maggie Summers for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Samuel Summers

  • Earliest record date: August 27, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Tom Berbilis for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 2, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: violation of Mann Act/White-Slave Traffic Act of 1910
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of Henri Dachez on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1877
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied | writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus for ___ Kramer whose first name is unknown, and __ Standish, first name unknown by A. E. Howard

  • Earliest record date: February 6, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Petition for Habeas Corpus of Mazie Zeigler

  • Earliest record date: November 5, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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