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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 John Lievo, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 17, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: Violation of Immigration Act of 1917 | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: advocating or teaching the unlawful destruction of property
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of William Carthrum for writ of Habeas Corpus

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

In the matter of the application of Mrs. Alice Stanley for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 13, 1918
  • 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 Pierce H. O'Dell for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 3, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of John Lovell and Kate Lovell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus of Vernon Lee Goldy + Lucille Goldy against L. M. Lang et al

  • Earliest record date: December 30, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re: application of C.P. Bishop and N. H. McLean for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 6, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Habeas Corpus of F. M. Mitchell against Claude Bannick (Chief of Police)

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Frank Baldwin for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 28, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re Application of Margaret Carr, but whose assumed name is Catherine, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 23, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: wrongful imprisonment
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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 August Uhl for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 19, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: horse stealing
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Tom Nelson Writ Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 29, 1898
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of William Jones for writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 1, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

James G. V. Ingoldsby, Plaintiff v. W. T. Fenton, Warden State Penitentiary of the State of Nebraska, Defendant

  • Earliest record date: June 16, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: forgery | Carceral: uttering | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Hosaye Sakaguchi, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 18, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Order of discharge | exhibits withdrawn

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 Petition of Edwin L. Cady for a Writ of Habeas Corpus, in behalf of William L. Gardner vs Dr. R. E. Lee Steiner, Sup’t. of the Oregon State Hospital for the Insane

  • Earliest record date: September 1, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Petition of John Jones - alias John Cook - for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 7, 1857
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Pearl Wilson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 2, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Catharine L. Martin v. Jesse Martin

  • Earliest record date: March 2, 1868
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody | Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • 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 Morris Meyer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Application of Pearl Lyles for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 29, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Casher J Davasher for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

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

In the Matter of the Application of B. O. Graham for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 8, 1905
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: August 22, 1895
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

Habeas Corpus of Joseph H. Abbott against A. E. Griffiths Chief Police

  • Earliest record date: September 12, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Joseph Alexa for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 13, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Moses Keokuk for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 21, 1869
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: leaving reservation wo permission from Indian Agent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of William Giles for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 18, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the Application of B. C. McCormick for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 16, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of J. C. A. Houselighter for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Virginia Donermeyer, a minor by her next friend, Mathias Donermeyer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 27, 1906
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the Matter of the application of James Martin for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 14, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: breaking and entering
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Habeas Corpus in the matter of Wyatt S. Harding

  • Earliest record date: January 3, 1855
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: underage military enlistment
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Henry Cohn and William G. Hollins for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 23, 1870
  • 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 H. Adams for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 23, 1871
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Walter Wheatley For Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 26, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In Re Petition of Rose Baker for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 3, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: idleness
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re application of Rose Van Ormer by her next friend John Van Ormer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 4, 1890
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Fred Busch for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 20, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the petition of A. R. Poskey for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 18, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful possession and transport of intoxicating liquor
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Apolonio Trugillo and Apolonia Trugillo for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 5, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied | writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Jack Moyer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 24, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: passing a check with insufficient funds
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

The State of Nebraska On the Relation of Hermann Reiter, Complainant vs. Johanna Reiter, Respondent

  • Earliest record date: January 29, 1898
  • 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 Paul Webster on Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 21, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: smuggling | Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Edward Crofery for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 8, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

Frank Timmons, Petitioner, vs. Thomas Morris as Sheriff of Pierce County, Washington, Defendant

  • Earliest record date: June 28, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: barbering without a license or certificate
  • 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
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