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People
Meet the many people who argued for and against carceral, institutional, and interpersonal confinement in the petitions filed in County and District Courts throughout the American West over the long nineteenth century. Browse or search people by name, demographic characteristics, case role, and/or relationships described in each petition. Our encoding practice for people features data pulled from the available case files and in some instances additional data from supplemental sources is also included. Only people with case roles are indexed here, while all persons named in a case are listed on the case page. 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.
Featured story: Lucía Martínez: Yaqui Arizona, 1854-1900
Basic Search
Simply enter the word you wish to find and the search engine will search for every instance of the word in the journals. For example: Fight. All instances of the use of the word fight will show up on the results page.
Wildcard Searches
Using an asterisk (*) will increase the odds of finding the results you are seeking. For example: Fight*. The search results will display every instance of fight, fights, fighting, etc. More than one wildcard may be used. For example: *ricar*. This search will return most references to the Aricara tribe, including Ricara, Ricares, Aricaris, Ricaries, Ricaree, Ricareis, and Ricarra. Using a question mark (?) instead of an asterisk (*) will allow you to search for a single character. For example, r?n will find all instances of ran and run, but will not find rain or ruin.
Capitalization
Searches are not case sensitive. For example: george will come up with the same results as George.
Phrase Search
Searching for a specific phrase may help narrow down the results. Rather long phrases are no problem. For example: "This white pudding we all esteem".
Subsequent Searches
Because of the creative spellings used by the journalists, it may be necessary to try your search multiple times. For example: P?ro*. This search brings up numerous variant spellings of the French word pirogue, "a large dugout canoe or open boat." Searching for P?*r*og?* will bring up other variant spellings. Searching for canoe or boat also may be helpful.
Filter by:
Case Roles
- bound party 546
- petitioner 498
- petitioner attorney 167
- holding party 136
- respondent 136
- responding party 113
- respondent attorney 75
- authority ordering detention 48
- judge 40
- interested party 21
- justice of the peace 12
- presumed petitioner 4
- police judge 3
- chief justice 2
- police magistrate 1
Birth Place
- Unknown 859
- United States 32
- Nebraska 19
- Japan 9
- Iowa 5
- Pennsylvania 5
- Ohio 4
- Virginia 4
- China 3
- Germany 3
- Missouri 3
- Illinois 2
- Kansas 2
- Maine 2
- New York 2
- North Dakota 2
- Wisconsin 2
- Alaska 1
- California 1
- Greece 1
- Indiana 1
- Ireland 1
- Kentucky 1
- Maryland 1
- Massachusetts 1
- Minnesota 1
- Oregon 1
- Portland, OR 1
- Prussia 1
- Romania 1
- Russia 1
- Saratoga, NY 1
- Sonora, Mexico 1
- South Carolina 1
Birth Year
- 1900 5
- 1858 4
- 1847 3
- 1857 3
- 1830 2
- 1838 2
- 1845 2
- 1854 2
- 1863 2
- 1867 2
- 1868 2
- 1870 2
- 1874 2
- 1876 2
- 1883 2
- 1886 2
- 1895 2
- 1907 2
- 1783 1
- 1789 1
- 1798 1
- 1821 1
- 1832 1
- 1836 1
- 1837 1
- 1840 1
- 1841 1
- 1849 1
- 1850 1
- 1855 1
- 1859 1
- 1860 1
- 1862 1
- 1865 1
- 1866 1
- 1869 1
- 1875 1
- 1877 1
- 1880 1
- 1881 1
- 1885 1
- 1888 1
- 1891 1
- 1894 1
- 1897 1
- 1898 1
- 1901 1
- 1905 1
- 1911 1
- 1914 1
- 1918 1
Age Category
- Unindicated 1030
- Adult 182
- Minor 4
- Unclear 1
- Unindicated, Adult 1
Relationships
- judged by 822
- attorney for 508
- attorney against 314
- jailed by 250
- attorney with 97
- detained by 81
- married to 74
- opposing attorney to 74
- parent of 68
- in the disputed interpersonal custody of 57
- represented by 40
- presumed relative of 39
- child of 38
- kidnapper of 20
- sibling of 18
- enslaved by 17
- formerly married to 15
- next friend of 15
- an institutional ward of 11
- friend of 11
- an immigrant detainee of 10
- grandparent of 9
- relative of 8
- agent of 5
- formerly enslaved by 5
- inlaw of 5
- court-appointed guardian of 4
- in the temporary custody of 4
- adoptive parent of 3
- alleged parent of 2
- employer of 2
- indentured to 2
- son 2
- cohabitating with 1
- disputed spouse of 1
- former inlaw of 1
- guardian of 1
Cases
- In the matter of the Unlawful Detention of Seventy-Six Hindus. 71
- In the matter of the Application of Ma-chu-nah-zha (Standing Bear) for a writ of Habeas Corpus 24
- In the matter of the application of Thomas S. Brown et al for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 12
- In the matter of the complaint Martin Lawson, John Strom, Christ Anderson, Thomas Steward, Ellias Krebs, Edward Haquer, John Nickels, Peter Nelson, and Victor Martinson. Marines on board the American ship or vessel "War-Hawk" for a writ of Habeas Corpus 12
- Peter Nelson et al. v. Lewis V. Wycoff 11
- Peter, a free man of color vs. James Walton, George Walton 10
- In the Matter of the Application of C. A. Clayton, Geo Rosenthal, Wm Lewis, John McDonald, Chas Olsen, Chao Kales, Fredericke Linde, C. Roschman For a Writ of Habeas Corpus 9
- In the matter of the application of Joseph Tebo for H. C. 9
- In the Matter of the Application of Tsunetaro Machida, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 9
- In the matter of the Application of Anna Berg et al for Writ of Habeas Corpus, Wasgreu 8
- Habeas Corpus of George Parrish against Capt. Charles Tennant 8
- Habeas Corpus of O. R. Blystone against Robert Hodge, Sheriff 8
- Harry Smith and Barney Slomen v. United States 8
- Harry Smith v. United States 8
- In the matter of the Application of Ella Bevington Habeas Corpus of F. R. Day 8
- In the matter of the application of Jennie Miller Powers for a writ of Habeas Corpus vs Mary Elizabeth Miller and R.J. Miller her husband 8
- In the matter of the Application of Thomas Boyum for Writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Charles Sullivan 8
- In the matter of the application of Wong Sam et al. for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 8
- Jennie Miller Powers v. Mary Elizabeth Miller and R. J. Miller 8
- Habeas Corpus of Esther Crandell against Robert Hodge, Sheriff 7
- In the matter of J.H. Foster for Writ of Habeas Corpus 7
- In the matter of Petition of Meridy Dawsey for Writ of Habeas Corpus 7
- In the matter of the Application of Ah Oy, alias Loy Sen for Writ of Habeas Corpus 7
- In the Matter of the Application of Hallie Winslow et al Habeas Corpus 7
- In the Matter of the Application of J. Martin - Habeas Corpus 7
- In the matter of the application of John H. Allen for writ of Habeas Corpus for J. C. Allen Jr. 7
- In the matter of the application of Nick Glavich for writ Habeas Corpus 7
- In the Matter of the Application of O. V. Lawson for Writ of Habeas Corpus 7
- In the Matter of the Petition of Bertha Kuzek for Writ of Habeas Corpus 7
- James McGarth and William Herbert v. King County 7
- Habeas Corpus of E. N. Roberts against Claude Bannick 6
- Habeas Corpus of J. R. Moore against Edward Cudihee Sheriff 6
- Habeas Corpus of Tony Sullivan et al against Claude Bannick Chf. of Pol. 6
- In re: application of C.P. Bishop and N. H. McLean for Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of Application for Robert Dewar for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of Application of W.E. Baker - Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Alfred Woods for a writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the Application of Alice A. Parker for a writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Athas Chinis for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Athas James for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Carl W. Sandberg and James Johnson on Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Charles F. Ireland, For a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Charles W. Nordstrom for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Christ Antonopulous for writ Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Esper Evangellos for writ H. C. 6
- In the matter of the application of Frances Palmer for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Frank D. Steel for Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of George Banagiotis for writ Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of George Bell for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of George Vallas for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Henry Howard for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Ike Zemansky for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of John Batlos for writ Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the Application of John Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of John Goumas for writ Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of John Harris for writ Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of John Strigulas for writ Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the Application of Josie Martin in Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Jow Mun Fuey for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Junichi Yamamoto for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Louie Charles for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Matoba Watari for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Nick Evangellos for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of R. D. Watson for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Sam Gum, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Sarah Bailey for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Charles Bailey 6
- In the matter of the application of Tassos Tourtas for writ Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Teramoto Sadishige for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Tom Boulias for writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Victor Pinot and Mrs. Pinot for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Wallace Gemmill Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Yo You Jam, for a writ of habeas corpus. 6
- In the matter of the Imprisonment C. C. Smith Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the Petition of A.L. Parks for Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Petition of John S. Burnell for Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Petition of Thomas Ball for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- Habeas Corpus of Irene Thornton against Katherine Murphine 5
- In Re Pet. of Millie F. Porter for Habeas Corp. 5
- In the Matter of the Application for Writ Habeas Corpus W. B. Cowing Jr. 5
- In the matter of the application of Fred S. Soggs for a writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- In the matter of the application of Stephen Lyts for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- Arch v. Barnabas Harris 5
- Charles M. Helmore v. United States 5
- Foong V. William Murphy. Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- Habeas Corpus of A. H. Hubbard against Claude Bannick Chief of Police 5
- Habeas Corpus of Alex Petosky against Edward Cudihee Shf. 5
- Habeas Corpus of Charles L. Swan against Austin Griffiths 5
- Habeas Corpus of George Hanson for Florence Hansen against Louis Hansen et al 5
- Habeas Corpus of J. C. Christopher against Robert Hodge, Sheriff 5
- Habeas Corpus of James Dermott against Austin E. Griffiths (Chief of Police) 5
- Habeas Corpus of James Fitzpatrick against Robert Hodge, Sheriff 5
- Habeas Corpus of John Schmidt against Claude Bannick (C of P) 5
- Habeas Corpus of Mrs Orlando Terrell Byington against Chief of Police of Seattle 5
- Habeas Corpus of Rose Baker against Chief of Police of Seattle 5
- Habeas Corpus of Sam Newman against Claude Bannick (Chief of Police)Case No: 97668 5
- Habeas Corpus of W. F. Buchanan against Claude Bannick 5
- In Re Application of Edward Sprouse for Habeas Corpus 5
- In Re Habeas Corpus of D. B. Davidson 5
- In re Petition of G. W. Vail for a writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- In the application of Fred Schneiderwind for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 5
1030 results
Singh, Talok
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Harper, Daniel
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Shah, Bahader
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Jam, Yo You
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian, Chinese
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Ashlyn, Mildred
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Disbrow, J. P.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Cooley, Julius S.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney, respondent attorney
Pinot, Victor
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Kennedy,
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent attorney
Miller, Ugean
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner
McCutcheon, James
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Todd, C. C.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Authority ordering detention
Rust, Albert D.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Linde, Frederick
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Me-cah-sin-de (Coon's Tail)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Indigenous
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
(Mother Superior of the Good Shepherd Convent)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Foster, J. H.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Summers, Maggie
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Corrigan, J. L.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent attorney
Hardin, Thomas B.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Fitzgerald, James M. (James J.)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent attorney, judge, authority ordering detention, police judge, police magistrate
Hawkins, E. K.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Atherton, B.E. (Benjamin Earnest Atherton)
- Birth date: January 1, 1885
- Birth place: Kansas
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
McLean, M. N.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney, respondent attorney
Morrison, Martha
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Thuland, (C. M.)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Noon, Henry S.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Ronald, James Theodore
- Birth date: April 8, 1855
- Birth place: Missouri
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Judge, respondent attorney, petitioner attorney, authority ordering detention
Benson, E. D.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Judge, petitioner attorney
San Francisco, John
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Sam, Wong
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian, Chinese
- Case role(s): Bound party
McLain, Nellie
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Jones, Hank
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Ann
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Briggs, John
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Holding party, respondent, responding party
Vollmer, C. J.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Hawkins, J. E.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney, respondent attorney
Anson
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Ka-ki-zi (Yellow Spotted Buffalo)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Indigenous
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Sanford, James
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Moke, Ah
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian, Chinese
- Case role(s): Bound party
Cramer, Eddy
- Birth date: January 1, 1895
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Anderson, Maggie
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Walker, George
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Gowan, Richard
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Calhain , John C.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner attorney
Young, Albert H.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Japanese
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Singh, Ala
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Bryan, William C.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Presumed petitioner
Shaw, Lem
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner
