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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 Frank B. Moore, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 29, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: rape
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of James E. Warden for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 30, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Simeon E. Mace for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Glen McAtee

  • Earliest record date: June 14, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of William Stapleton for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 6, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

State of Nebraska ex rel Ellen Kinnison, Relator, vs Henry Kinnison and Iva Kinnison, his wife, George Kinnison and Ruby Kinnison, his wife, Respondents

  • Earliest record date: April 17, 1924
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Nick Arrigo for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

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

  • Earliest record date: June 9, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Edgar L. Noble for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 22, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Mina Evans for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1916
  • 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 Wa Kim for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 13, 1889
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported

In the matter of the application of Leonidas Asimakopoulos, by his agent Gregory Pappas

  • Earliest record date: October 12, 1908
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Joseph Thomas Williams, by Joseph Lafayette Williams, his father and next friend for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 1, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Ling Quan, Lue Tue and Lee Lung for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 11, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

State of Missouri vs James Watt

  • Earliest record date: September 10, 1820
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: larceny | Carceral: being in possession of stolen goods
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the application of Nora Leon Gantz, for a writ of Habeas Corpus to obtain the custody of her minor son, Lester William Teter

  • Earliest record date: February 22, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Addaline A. Wilson and Oliver Perry Wilson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 10, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Charles Carlson for a writ of Habeas Corpus

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

In the matter of the application of Thomas Francis Smiley, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 13, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Margaret Purdy, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Josephine Blairb

  • Earliest record date: December 14, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Milo Yates for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 21, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In Re application of Rosie Nichols for a Writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Addassa F. Maxson

  • Earliest record date: January 30, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Leta Eshom, formerly Leta Bassett, for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Wilber Bassett, age 11 years, and Alma May Bassett, age 8 years

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Thomas Tudor for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 14, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Gustav Rittmaster for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 23, 1891
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses | Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Perscilla Burke for a writ of habeas corpus for the release of Cleo Ross, a minor child unlawfully detained

  • Earliest record date: August 19, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Hew G. Durham for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Sylvia May Durham

  • Earliest record date: December 17, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the petition of Stella Williams for a writ of habeas corpus for Howard Edward Godden

  • Earliest record date: June 18, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the application of Elmer Estes in behalf of his minor daughter, Rosa May Estes, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1909
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • 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 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 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 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 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 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

In the matter of the application of H. Ray Desch for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 1, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Petition of Albert H. Young and Kamasaburo Sugiura, alias B.D. Sugiura, aliens, for WRIT OF HABEAS CORPUS.

  • Earliest record date: August 21, 1913
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | carceral: Violation of White Slave Traffic Act | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported

In the matter of the application of Ray Rickard for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 29, 1915
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Frederick Frazier, for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 17, 1899
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of L. L. H. Austin for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 23, 1897
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: libel
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Calvin Lambert for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 9, 1917
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Habeas Corpus to F. Hickman

  • Earliest record date: April 13, 1825
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement | Interpersonal: kidnapping
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Mary Doran for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 29, 1910
  • Petition type(s): Institutional
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Milton F. Lamaster for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 5, 1902
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Gustav Rittmaster for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 1, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of May East for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1914
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: June 4, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: insanity
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application for writ of Habeas Corpus of H. W. Hull

  • Earliest record date: April 21, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: keeping a house of ill repute | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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