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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 Arthur Treichel, minor on the part of Marie Holz and Adolph Holz for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 2, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Dismissed

Roy Walker vs. Henry Dunn, Chief of Police, Steve Maloney, Chief of Detectives, Michael F. Dempsey, Captain of Police, Petition for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 23, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the petition of Kichitaro Kubota and Ise Kubota, his wife, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 4, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Applications John McCormick and Bernard McCormick for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 11, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to wound
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Eddy Cramer, Willie Cramer, and Clarence Cramer, by George H. A. Cramer, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

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  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn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

In the matter of the application of Earl Thomas Beni for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 24, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: impersonating an officer | Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

Application of Minnie Hall Riley for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 23, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: New custody arrangement reached

In the matter of the application of Fred L. Grantham for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In Re David H. Oliver, Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 26, 1923
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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 Charles Bird - and Josephine Bird, also known as Jack Lewis, by Irene Steward, petitioner for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 6, 1916
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In Re application of Harriet -, real name unknown, assumed name Consecrate Mary of the Seven Dolars

  • Earliest record date: October 4, 1911
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Jow Mun Fuey for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 5, 1922
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported

In the Matter of the Application of J. E. Murray for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 4, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Yuzuoka Mutsu for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 18, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: deportation | Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported

In the Matter of the Application of George W. Smith, Guardian of Arthur P. Smith, Incompetent, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 6, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Floyd Fuller vs. William T. Fenton, Warden of the Penitentiary of the State of Nebraska

  • Earliest record date: June 13, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: second degree murder
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In Re-Application of Frank Dolezal for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 25, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: disturbing the peace
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

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

  • Earliest record date: December 2, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: disorderly conduct
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Chas. Graham for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 29, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: robbery
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • 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 the matter of the application of Marie Paulson Hislop on behalf of Herbert Paulson and Robert Paulson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 16, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re application for Habeas Corpus, Charles Ferguson Relator vs. Michael Clark Sheriff, Respondent

  • Earliest record date: October 22, 1918
  • 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 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 re application of Stella Williams for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 31, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of William Shooks for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 12, 1893
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Ernest P. Kinloch, By W. S. Summer, United States District Atty., For a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 16, 1901
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody | custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of Herlinda Diaz for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 11, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Charles W. Gerrish for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 9, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: spousal custody | Interpersonal: marital dispute
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Emma Abbott for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 17, 1912
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the application of John Martin for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 18, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: attempted robbery | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • 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

Habeas Corpus of James Dermott against Austin E. Griffiths (Chief of Police)

  • Earliest record date: July 22, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Not in custody

In re Hazel Allsman, Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 25, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: minor marriage
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of William H. H. Moore for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 14, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

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

App. of Charles E. McHugh for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 6, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: seduction
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Application of James (Jas.) H. Howard for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 13, 1894
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Harry Gong for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Yut Yow

  • Earliest record date: November 4, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

In the matter of the Application of Miles Guba

  • Earliest record date: October 13, 1858
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive slavery
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Gideon W. Morley for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 20, 1904
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Petition of Neil MacDonald for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 15, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: espionage act | Carceral: treason
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In re application of Estella Lyell for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 9, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Joseph Deveriske v. Territory of Washington

  • Earliest record date: April 7, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

James Riley v. Egbert H. Tucker

  • Earliest record date: April 18, 1861
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: assault with intent to kill | Carceral: assault and battery | Carceral: malicious mayhem
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Spafford Woodhull for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 7, 1896
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Dennis H. Cronin, U.S. Marshal, et al., Appellants, vs. Elmer R. MacNalley

  • Earliest record date: June 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawful sale of intoxicating liquor | Carceral: maintaining a common nuisance
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Edward Ladd for writ of Habeas Corpus Case No:34690

  • Earliest record date: February 11, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of John J. Bohmer and Conselo Bohmer for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 24, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: conspiracy to commit a felony | Carceral: breaking and entering
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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