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 Harry Ferguson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 9, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Lelah Puc-Ka-Chee, and Ta-Ta-Pi-Cha, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 25, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: Indian agent/superintendent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Walter Britton and John Trigg for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 21, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunk and disorderly
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Dora Foster for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Lola Williamson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Leon Richardson for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 28, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of John S. Fair and Henry H. Jockens for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 22, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of John Snyder and Charles Rhoades for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 6, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re Petition of G. W. Vail for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 29, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Petition for Habeas Corpus on behalf of Mary Josephine Marshall

  • Earliest record date: October 12, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 application of Peter Britton for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 23, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Leonard Kephart for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 23, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: perjury
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Frank G. Bevans for a writ of Habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of Theodore G. Clark, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 23, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Samuel Jackson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 30, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault and battery | 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 Russell G. Watson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 12, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of George McBride for and on behalf of Margarie McBride for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 22, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the matter of the application of Thomas McCarty for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 7, 1895
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: shooting with intent to kill and intent to wound
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Allen R. Kelly vs. John Power, Sheriff of Douglas County

  • Earliest record date: April 3, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bribery
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Benjamin Wise for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 19, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: arson
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Lee Helsley on behalf of Lizzie Hurd for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 21, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from 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 Joe 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 Edward Rosewater for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 2, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bribery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Phillip McGovern for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 15, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: January 31, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawfully collecting and removing garbage, ashes, filth, and other refuse matter without a contract
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Petition of David Brown for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 7, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of Sunday Ordinance
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Minnie Bradley for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 7, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Ordered to be re-sentenced

In the matter of the application of James Conety for a writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of James Simpson Conety, a minor under the age of twenty one years

  • Earliest record date: March 9, 1901
  • 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 Priss Evans for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 10, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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

  • Earliest record date: September 25, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: bastardy | Carceral: subornation of perjury | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Edson Sturgeon of Seattle Washington for Writ of H. Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 1, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | custody transferred to third party

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 J. T. Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 15, 1900
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Thomas Ratcliff for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 30, 1901
  • 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 Thomas Walton for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 15, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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 Joseph Paschal for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 8, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill | Carceral: attempted murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of William Sherman for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Henry Sherman

  • Earliest record date: August 21, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In Re: F. S. Walton for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 5, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: peddling without a license
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In the matter of the application of G. M. Briggs for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: Engaging in a commission business without a license
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Meyer Green for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 10, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: transferring judgment for purpose of avoiding state regulation
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the petition of Fritz Lee for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the petition of custody of & welfare of Patrick Quinn, Leo Quinn and Mary Quinn, neglected and abused children

  • Earliest record date: October 10, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of William J. Gurley for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Garnett C. Porter

  • Earliest record date: October 11, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of Application of Anna Rosa Day for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 25, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of George E. Daniel for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of May Andrews for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of W. S. Fuller for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 4, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
Back to top