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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 Henry Imhoff for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 1, 1881
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor to Indians
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Application of Lars Brown for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 22, 1882
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: murder
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of P. Washington for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 30, 1882
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

Territory of Washington v. Chin Chung. Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 10, 1882
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use | Carceral: opium use | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of due application of Ellen Kingsley for writ of Habeas Corpus for Infant Child

  • Earliest record date: February 15, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Warrhum W. Warren for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of Thomas Ruby for writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: June 1, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of J. S. Roadman for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 14, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: no charge
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

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

  • Earliest record date: August 17, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: burglary
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of William Spears and James McGough for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 26, 1883
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obtaining money under false pretenses
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

City of Seattle v. John McLaine

  • Earliest record date: February 28, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: vagrancy
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of George R. Daly for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 15, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: horse stealing
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of G. M. Savage for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: March 29, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Sid Howard for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 10, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use | Carceral: opium use | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

The People of the Territory of Washington as the Relation of John Doyle Ex Parte

  • Earliest record date: June 30, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: obstructing a railroad track
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released on bail

In the matter of the application of Sam Hing, John Sam, Joe Chinaman, Jim Kee, Ah Kee, Ah Sing, Ah Him, all Chinamen,--and James D. Patterson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 2, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: opium use | Carceral: running an opium den
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of Herman Hadlan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 2, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: selling liquor without a license
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of Charles H. Phillips, Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 1, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the Application of Sam, Lock, and Jim for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 16, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use | Carceral: opium use
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the Application of Ah Korn et al. for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 10, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Albert Rhude for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 10, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: cause unspecified
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Qui, a Chinaman, for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 14, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: running an opium den | Carceral: opium use | Carceral: possession of opium derivatives
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Petition of Daniel Ainsworth for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: September 28, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny | Carceral: fraud
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Territory of Washington v. Arlington and Johnson

  • Earliest record date: January 23, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Mary Arlington and Timothy Johnson V. Lewis Byrd

  • Earliest record date: January 23, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: opium use
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Ah Sam and Ah Who for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: February 21, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: gambling
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Sterling P. White v. John Cody

  • Earliest record date: December 21, 1884
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: manslaughter
  • Petition outcome: Writ dismissed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Petition of William Jones, William H. Doyle, Fred Williams and Alfred Woods for a Writ of Habeas Corpuswa

  • Earliest record date: February 8, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay recognizance
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Anna Vine vs. Sheldon Jackson

  • Earliest record date: March 9, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: Indian agent/superintendent | Institutional: child custody
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Application of Sam Pong for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 22, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the Matter of the Petition of Arthur Powell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: April 30, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: horse stealing
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

United States of America vs. Leonard Martin

  • Earliest record date: May 1, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: unlawfully soliciting business
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of Lee Kee for a writ of habeas corpus

  • Earliest record date: May 21, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: running an opium den
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application for a writ of Habeas Corpus of Edda L. A. Evenson

  • Earliest record date: July 1, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Unknown
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Territory of Washington V. Wilson D. Coyle

  • Earliest record date: April 5, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: imprisoned for longer than term | Carceral: assault with a deadly weapon
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Territory of Washington v. William C. Swartz

  • Earliest record date: July 9, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: stole one cow
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Michael Henan for discharge on a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: July 20, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: grand larceny
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Charles Lind of King County Washington Territory for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 24, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: indebted to saloon keepers
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the Matter of the Application of Sam Hop and Chinese subjects, for Writs of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 28, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Writ of habeas corpus for Sterling P. White, an important witness

  • Earliest record date: October 12, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: appear to testify (ad testificandum)
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the matter of the application of Alfred Woods for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: August 22, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: contempt of court
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

In the matter of the application of George Walker, John San Francisco and Pedro O'Brien for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Institutional: detaining sailors aboard ship
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of C. W. Hutchinson for writ of Habeas Corpus.

  • Earliest record date: October 31, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: embezzlement
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Fannie Fowle, for a writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: November 20, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Interpersonal: wrongful enslavement | Interpersonal: wrongful servitude | Interpersonal: trafficking
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

City of Spokane v. Frankie Sutsinger

  • Earliest record date: November 27, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

City of Spokane v. Frankie Sutsinger

  • Earliest record date: November 23, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: drug use | Carceral: running an opium den
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Released from custody

In the matter of the application of Otto H. Dogge for a Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: December 22, 1885
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: aiding and abetting
  • Petition outcome: Writ denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the Application of Charles Barnes for a writ of Habeas Corpus.

  • Earliest record date: January 4, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: breaking and entering | Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine
  • Petition outcome: Writ allowed
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown

Foong V. William Murphy. Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus

  • Earliest record date: January 1, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: refusal or inability to pay fine | Carceral: peddling without a license
  • Petition outcome: Petition denied
  • Fate of bound party: Remained in custody

In the Matter of the restraint of Gee Lee and other Chinamen

  • Earliest record date: February 7, 1886
  • Petition type(s): Carceral: immigration
  • Petition outcome: Unknown
  • Fate of bound party: Unknown
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