Skip to main content
« Back to Explore

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.

Filter by:

Date

Drag slider to explore cases

Dates: -

Petition Type

Petition Subtype

See more

Petition Outcome

Fate of Bound Party

Sex of Bound Party

Age of Bound Party

Race of Bound Party

Petition Year

Earliest Record Date

Latest Record Year

Court Name

Type of Source

Length of Case File

Points of Law Cited

See more

People

See more

1876 results

In the matter of the application of Esper Evangellos for writ H. C.

  • 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 John Harris for writ 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 John Goumas for writ 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 George Banagiotis for writ 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 Tassos Tourtas for writ 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 Joseph Tebo for H. C.

  • Earliest record date: April 19, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fornication | Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in 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 application of Joseph Tebo for writ of H. C.

  • Earliest record date: April 15, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of Louis W. R. Beaty for writ of H. C.

  • Earliest record date: March 17, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: mixing garbage with refuse
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Bertha M. Herman for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 20, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Reigh Poole for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 14, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: divorce
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of Mrs Blanche Folson for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 27, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in 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 J. M. Kelso for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 23, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Ralph O. Urban for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 11, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from 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 Thomas Johnson for writ Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 11, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Lydia Hall for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 4, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Joe Gorden for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 24, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: April 16, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunk and disorderly
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of William E. Mullins for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 23, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Jacob H. Blessing for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 17, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from 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 James B. Graham for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Joseph Edward Ohlson

  • Earliest record date: September 10, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Blanche Finn for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 24, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of David Rourke for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 3, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: sabbath breaking
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of William T. Anderton for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 11, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment | Carceral: fraudulent enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Florence Tinsley for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 16, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent | Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Alice Strauss for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 30, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of B. J. Doty for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 30, 1908
  • 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. Keyt for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 10, 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 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 Jacob C. Caldwell for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: sabbath breaking
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of James B. Palmer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 2, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of George A. Tarrant for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 24, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of D. O. Belt for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 28, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • 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 Hyman M. Stein for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 19, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peddling without a license | Carceral: contempt of court | Carceral: municipal violation
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of R. E. Berry for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 22, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Mark J. Wilber for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 12, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from 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

On relation of Charles Holton, and Sarah Holton vs. Nebraska Children's Home Society

  • Earliest record date: February 26, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of William G. Clarke, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 19, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the application of Fred Schneiderwind for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 20, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 T. Katioka for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 24, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon | Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the Matter of the Application of Robert Volwiler and Lillian Volwiler Minors, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 22, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Amanda S. Olsen, to secure a writ of Habeas Corpus for Mable Alfreda Johnson

  • Earliest record date: January 19, 1907
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the Matter of the Petition of Charles Houghton for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 11, 1903
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody
Back to top