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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:
Race or Ethnicity
- Unknown 203
- Asian 56
- White 12
- Black 8
- Chinese 8
- Indigenous 2
- Japanese 2
- Colored 1
- Irish 1
- Multiracial 1
Birth Place
- Unknown 266
- United States 5
- China 2
- Illinois 1
- Iowa 1
- Ireland 1
- Japan 1
- Minnesota 1
- Nebraska 1
- Scotland 1
- South Dakota 1
- Virginia 1
- Washington Territory 1
Age Category
- Adult 202
- Unindicated 81
- Minor 15
- Unindicated, Adult 3
- Unclear 1
Relationships
- detained by 296
- judged by 262
- attorney for 176
- attorney against 82
- jailed by 41
- parent of 10
- represented by 9
- colleague of 7
- sibling of 7
- married to 6
- presumed relative of 6
- kidnapper of 5
- in the disputed interpersonal custody of 4
- next friend of 4
- child of 3
- employer of 3
- an immigrant detainee of 2
- an institutional ward of 2
- Indian Agent of 2
- stepparent of 2
- superintendent of 2
- attorney with 1
- enslaved by 1
- in parent- appointed custody of 1
- in the temporary custody of 1
- parent-appointed guardian of 1
Cases
- In the Matter of the Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus by certain Chinamen, whose names are hereafter written 29
- 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 10
- In the matter of the application of Wong Sam et al. for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 7
- Application for Writ of Habeas Corpus by C. M. Bradshaw on Behalf of Nicholas Adams and Thomas Gould of Clallam Co. W. T. 6
- In the Matter of the application of Annie Nelson and Daisy Williams for a writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the application of Gaston Akoun, Madroche Zitoune, Abraham L. Reed, and S. B. Wadley for a writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the matter of the application of Andrew J. Sawyer, United States District Attorney, for the District of Nebraska, Mee Lee Wah Village Company, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Illinois, Chin Tu Ling, Lee Shun and Look Fung, citizens of China, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- In the Matter of the Application of Edna Brookfield for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 5
- In the matter of the application of Fred L. Smith for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Minnie Tarlton 5
- In re application of Williams Alfredo for writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the Application of Maud Ely by J. O. Ely her father for a writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the matter of the Application of Ah Korn et al. for a writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the matter of the application of Beula Dixon and Maud Lewis for a writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the matter of the application of Crist Tyrrell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus through his friend and agent Sigmund Arnstein 4
- In the Matter of the application of Frank Delbridge and Edward Porter for a writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the Matter of the application of Fred L. Smith for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Annie Brown 4
- In the matter of the application of George Walker, John San Francisco and Pedro O'Brien for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the matter of the application of Harry L. Davis for a writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the matter of the application of Kittie Owens and Mary Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the matter of the Application of Ling Quan, Lue Tue and Lee Lung for a writ of habeas corpus 4
- In the Matter of the Application of V. B. Walker, attorney for Maud Raymond for a writ of Habeas Corpus 4
- In the Matter of the Application of Wah Lee for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Lun Kim, Lun Yuk, and Lun Teu 4
- In the Matter of the restraint of Gee Lee and other Chinamen 4
- Application of Alice Bigelow for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on Behalf of Edith and Edna Bigelow, her Daughters 3
- Charles Sitzman vs. L. C. Oberlies, A. E. Allyn, Catherine Worley, as the Board of Commissioners of State Institutions of the State of Nebraska and Doctor S. J. Stewart, Superintendent Institution for Feeble Minded Youth 3
- Habeas Corpus of Asakichi Yamagami for wife against I. Hyashi et al 3
- In re Ah Sing and Ah Yoel 3
- In re application of F. J. Curtis for writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In re-application of Harry Atkinson by his next friend and father William Atkinson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of a Petition of Harry Thompson, for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of John McNeil for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application and Petition of Earl L. Sorensen for Habeas Corpuss 3
- In the matter of the application of Agnes Smith for a writ of habeas corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of C. V. Stortz et. al. 3
- In the matter of the application of Charles Chandler, for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Charles Lewis and Ellis Hyde for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of Estella Meyers for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of Eva Tolls alias Eva White for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of George Harlow for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of George Harris for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the Application of George Schuler for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of George W. Anderson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. 3
- In the Matter of the Application of George W. Anderson for a Writ of Habeas Corpus. 3
- In the Matter of the application of Habib Koneiser for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Henry Neal for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of J. W. Mills for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of James Griffin, William Beck, and William O'Brien for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the Application of John Duffy for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Klas Peben for writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Lenora McMullen, on behalf of Fran McMullen for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of Rhoda McNamira for writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Application of Samuel Gowen and Donald Webster for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the application of Victor B. Walker for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for the person of Henry Moore 3
- In the matter of the application of Yu Gum and Yu Hung for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Matter of the Illegal confinement of Adelaide Shawl and Hazel Shawl 3
- Malinda and Nelly, people of color, by and through their next friend, Beriah Cleland v. Robert Wilburn 3
- Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus Anna Vine vs. Sheldon Jackson 3
- The Territory of Nebraska on relation of William Porter vs. Shepard Duke, Sheriff of Cass County 3
- Habeas Corpus of Irene Thornton against Katherine Murphine 2
- In the matter of the application of Bert Lockerby for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the application of Frank Dupree for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Abigail Clauey v. King County 2
- Abraham Franklin, Plantiff V. Henry Dunn as Chief Police of City of Omaha Nebraska, Stephen Maloney, Fred Heil, Defendant 2
- Ann, a woman of color v. John M. Jamison 2
- App. of Charles E. McHugh for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Application of Charles E. Wheeler for Habeas Corpus 2
- Application of Fred L. Smith for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on Red Johnson 2
- Charles M. Helmore v. United States 2
- Ex Parte Wilhalm Spiertiz, Application for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Ex Rel Fred V. Larson vs. Henry W. Dunn, Chief of Police and Steve Maloney Chief of Detectives - Fred T. Ray Sheriff or other agents of the State of Kansas, For Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of George Brown 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Joseph Ranzer 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of William Omara & Margaret Omara 2
- Habeas Corpus of Yakes Ishikawa against Doc. Mrs Jane Fife 2
- In matter of application of Mortimer Fox by Parke Godwin for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In Matter of the Petition Ed Larson for Habeas Corpus 2
- In Re Application of Jane M. Williams for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re Application of Morris Yost on Behalf of Emma Yost alias Emma Urlas for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re Application of Sadie Walker for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re Application of Sam Butera for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re Petition of G. W. Vail for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In Re-Application of Frank Dolezal for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In reapplication of James Miller for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the application of Andrew Anderson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of application of Agnes Marshall for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of application of Alexander Vachon for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of Application of John Morgan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of Application of W.E. Baker - Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of Jesse, a man of color 2
- In the Matter of the Applicant Joseph G Armstrong on Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application and Petition of Nathan Boynum, for Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Peter Goshaun 2
- In the matter of the application for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Delia Batten 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Abraham Jacobs for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Ah Ken for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Ah Young for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Albert Rhude for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the Application of Alice A. Parker for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Allen Sharp for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
296 results
Download JSON Download CSVCochran, William (Cochrane)
- Birth date: December 15, 1846
- Birth place: Ireland
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Irish
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
McGraw, John Harte (J. A. McGraw)
- Birth date: October 4, 1850
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Dunn, Henry W.
- Birth date: January 1, 1863
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Holding party, responding party, respondent
Maloney, Stephen (Steve)
- Birth date: May 3, 1865
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Robinson, Lafayette K.
- Birth date: January 1, 1874
- Birth place: Virginia, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Worley, Katherine F.
- Birth date: October 12, 1876
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Berger, Alta (Alta Burger)
- Birth date: January 1, 1884
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Ely, Maud
- Birth date: January 1, 1888
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Brookfield, Edna
- Birth date: January 1, 1905
- Birth place: South Dakota
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Oberlies, Louis C.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Adams, Nicholas
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
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
Williams, Daisy
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Ann
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
John, Ah
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- 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
Tarlton, Minnie (Whitecomb, Mabel)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Walker, George
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Tu Ling, Chin (Lun Teu)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- Case role(s): Bound party
Lee, Gee
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Boynum, Nathan
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Lum, Ah
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
(Larsen)
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Reed, Abraham L.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Wot, Mrs. Lee Sing
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Asian, Chinese
- Case role(s): Bound party
Batten, Delia
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Blackburn, Thomas W.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party, petitioner attorney
Delbridge, Frank
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Hing, Wong
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian, Chinese
- Case role(s): Bound party
Isaacson, A. E.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent
Meyers, Estella
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Brownfield, D. H.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Lehmann, Oscar
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Johnson, Red
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Chuck, Ah
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Doyle, Peter
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
See, Ah
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Maresch, Phoebe
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Faust, Bertha
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Heo, John
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Washington Territory
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Indigenous
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Milroy, Robert H
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
O'Mara, William
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Hawk, W. C.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Davis, Harry L.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party, petitioner
Gee, Foke
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Asian, Chinese
- Case role(s): Bound party
Carpenter, James
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Dixon, Beula
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Harlow, George
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
O'Biren, J. H.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
