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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 James Nesladek and Anna Nesladek for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 25, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody | Carceral: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | custody transferred to third party

In re application of Minnie Preis for writ of Habeas Corpus for Lucile Preis, a minor

  • Earliest record date: June 22, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the application of Hans A Hulke for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 24, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

The United States of America upon the relation of John R. Howard v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska

  • Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

The United States of America upon the relation of Harry Compton v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska

  • Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

The United States of America upon the relation of Arthur Wyse v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska

  • Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

The United States of America upon the relation of Axel Pierson v. James B. Nickerson, Acting United States Marshal for the District of Nebraska, and Edwin C. Boehler, United States Commissioner for the Omaha Division, District of Nebraska and Michael L. Clark, Sheriff of Douglas County, Nebraska

  • Earliest record date: May 7, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice | Carceral: uttering and passing forged paper | Carceral: robbery and battery | Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re application of Harry H. Schiffler father of Kathryn Elizabeth Schiffler, minor, for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 11, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Petition of Paul Kallas, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 30, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: possession of intoxicating liquor | Carceral: illicit cohabitation
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Agnes Smith for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 19, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: disability
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of application of Harold Savage for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 27, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Sam Gum, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 26, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Deceased | exhibits withdrawn

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 application of Chester A. Richards for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 14, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: defrauding an inn-keeper
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Petition of Lee Suey, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Yaichiro Goto, otherwise known as Yaichiro Matsuo, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 21, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: moral turpitude
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported | remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Agnes Smith for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 24, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: disability
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of Application of Robert Swinney for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 24, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: fugitive from justice
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Amos Milling for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 15, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Otto Rose for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 7, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: juvenile detention
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Christ Jensen for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 2, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: violation of federal revenue law
  • Petition outcome: Petition withdrawn
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of John Matthews for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 31, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: public charge | Carceral: moral turpitude

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 Petition of George Arthur Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus for George Uber

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

In the Matter of the Application of George Kotros for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 12, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: prostitution | Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody | deported | exhibits withdrawn

In the Matter of the Petition of A. C. Hallam for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 11, 1921
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: misuse of government property
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Exhibits withdrawn | unknown

In the matter of Jay D. Crary for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 27, 1918
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: conspiracy to use United States mails for scheme to defraud
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Chung Him and Seid Yam v. Henry M. White

  • Earliest record date: September 13, 1888
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: deportation
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

In the Matter of the Application of Nettie Patterson for and on behalf of W. Burlingame, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 8, 1919
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: knowingly uttering and publishing a forged customer's draft
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Wu Kao (Ng Go) for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 4, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

In the Matter of the Application of Gin Kato for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 26, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Deported

In the matter of the application of Harry Becker also known as Isic Feurht for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 4, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Peter Mangen for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Hazel May Mangen

  • Earliest record date: November 1, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In re Petition of Joseph Menzies by Frank H. Kelley, his attorney, for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 22, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral | Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Stella Taylor for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 14, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention | Carceral: vagrancy | Carceral: prostitution
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Ruth McLane for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 5, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Harry L. Hunsaker for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Genevieve Hunsaker

  • Earliest record date: September 24, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed for want of prosecution
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

The State of Nebraska, upon the relation of Mattie Cahill, Complainant, vs. Marshall Eberstein, Chief of Police of Omaha, Nebraska and Alta Berger, Matron and Superintendent of Omaha Detention Hospital, Eleventh and Dodge Streets, Omaha, Nebraska, Respondents.

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention | Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

The State of Nebraska, upon the relation of Opal Rogers, Complaint, vs. Marshall Eberstein, Chief of Police of Omaha, Nebr. and Alta Berger, Matron and Superintendent of Omaha Detention Hospital, Eleventh and Dodge Sts., Omaha, Nebraka, Respondents.

  • Earliest record date: September 16, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: public health detention | Carceral: inmate of ill-governed house
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In re application of Daisy Hartman for Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 13, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: inmate of ill-governed home
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

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

  • Earliest record date: September 8, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Custody transferred to third party

In the matter of the application of Henry Bonnemeyer for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 17, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: aiding and abetting
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in 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 application of Gordon Wells for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 2, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

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 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 the matter of the petition of Hiura, Teiichi for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration | Carceral: obtaining passport under false pretenses | Carceral: public charge
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Edna Sullivan and Geraldine Sullivan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 10, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: convent
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Oscar J. Quinn, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 6, 1920
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drunkenness | Carceral: reckless driving
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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