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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
- petitioner 60
- respondent 48
- holding party 44
- responding party 36
- interested party 7
- bound party 6
Birth Place
- Unknown 67
- United States 12
- Nebraska 11
- Iowa 9
- Germany 4
- Kansas 2
- Kentucky 2
- New York 2
- Pennsylvania 2
- Illinois 1
- Indiana 1
- Ireland 1
- Kappeln, Germany 1
- Massachusetts 1
- Michigan 1
- Minnesota 1
- Missouri 1
- Ohio 1
- Oregon 1
- Prussia 1
- Roggendorf, Austria 1
- Saxony-Weimar 1
- Tennessee 1
Age Category
- Adult 100
- Unindicated 15
- Unclear 1
Relationships
- formerly married to 123
- judged by 100
- parent of 97
- attorney for 41
- attorney against 31
- child of 25
- in the disputed interpersonal custody of 23
- married to 10
- jailed by 4
- relative of 4
- former inlaw of 3
- next friend of 3
- an institutional ward of 1
- cohabitating with 1
- presumed relative of 1
- sibling of 1
Cases
- In the Matter of the Application for Writ Habeas Corpus W. B. Cowing Jr. 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Mabelle S. Keller for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the illegal confinement of Nellie Louisa Lopez 2
- Ellis M. Harrison vs. Eillen M. Harrison 2
- Eugene Crowne v. James McAuliff 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of William M Parkinson 2
- Habeas Corpus of Adolph A. Gust against Edward Cudihee as Sheriff 2
- Habeas Corpus of Alex Petosky against Edward Cudihee Shf. 2
- In re application of Amanda S. Olsen, to secure a writ of Habeas Corpus for Mable Alfreda Johnson 2
- In re application of Della Carbaugh for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re application of George A. Tarrant for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re application of John F. Kinney for writ of Habeas Corpus for John F. Kinney Jr. Catherine Kinney and Margaret Kinney 2
- In re application of Rose Van Ormer by her next friend John Van Ormer for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In Re Petition for Habeas Corpus for R. E. McKenzie 2
- In the Matter of Application for a Writ of Habeas Corpus on Behalf of Thomas Nelson Overnell, a small child about 14 months old in Island County 2
- In the matter of the application for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Mertie L. Young upon relation of Evaline L. Young 2
- In the matter of the application for writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of Marion Lavonne Maurer 2
- In the matter of the application of Charles [Charles scratched out 2
- In the matter of the application of Clara E. Heaston for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Claude H. Goldsborough on relation of his mother Izora I. Goldsborough for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Emma Rupert for a writ of habeas corpus, for the body of Clarence Rupert 2
- In the matter of the application of Etta Fritcher for writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Jessie Fritcher 2
- In the Matter of the Application of F. Vetter for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Frank G. Bevans for a writ of Habeas corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Frederick Jacobsen for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Helen Jacobsen 2
- In the matter of the application of George McBride for and on behalf of Margarie McBride for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of George Taylor for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Gertie D. Folden for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the Application of Gideon W. Morley for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of H. G. Martin for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Henry LaVerne Risch, a minor, for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Ina Anderson, Plaintiff, vs. William Anderson and Nancy Anderson his wife and D. L. Anderson, Defendants, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of J. T. Brown for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of James B. Palmer for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of James E. Warden for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the Application of James O'Donnell for writ Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Laura M. Parker for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Joyce McCaulley and Ray McCaulley Jr. 2
- 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 2
- In the matter of the Application of Mabel Sanderson Best, formerly Mabel Sanderson, for a writ of habeas corpus, for Isabel Sanderson, a minor, of the age of twelve years 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Margaret Purdy, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Josephine Blairb 2
- In the matter of the application of Mary Cowing for a writ of habeas corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Mary Ellen Lyts for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Minnie Bradley for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Nelson Davis for the Custody of Maggie M. Davis, a Minor Child 2
- In the matter of the application of Nina P. Robotham, a minor, by Robert G. Robotham, her next friend, for a writ of habeas corpus 2
- 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 2
- In the matter of the application of Pearl Alma Bentley for writ of Habeas Corpus for minor son Richard Lloyd Green 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Sarah Dee for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Harry Dee 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Virgil Wilson Laverne Wilson and Frances Wilson for a writ of habeas corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Walter Scott for a writ of habeas corpuswa 2
- In the matter of the application of William E. Mullins for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of William Giles for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Willis R. Kelly, on behalf of Phillip Kelly, a minor child, for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Illegal confinement of Adelaide Shawl and Hazel Shawl 2
- In the Matter of the Petition of Aubrey Pickard for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Leonard Pickards 2
- In the matter of the petition of J. B. Montgomery for the possession of Mary P. Montgomery, an infant, alleged to be detained by Sarah J. Montgomery 2
- In the Matter of the Petition of Mrs. Duncan Ross for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for the body of her Son Hallie Sheldon 2
- Matter of Application of Emma Clifton for Habeas Corpus 2
- On the Matter of the Application of Jacob S. Bradley on Behalf of Blanche A. Bradley for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Peter A. Clifford, Petitioner, vs. Herbert O. Williams and Grace E. Williams, Respondents in Petition for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- State of Nebraska ex Relative Alvira E. Britton, Plaintiff Vs. Stephen W. Bryant and Alice Bryant, Defendants 2
- The People of the State of Nebraska vs. W.W. Armstrong and John A. Dunn 2
- The State of Nebraska On the Relation of Hermann Reiter, Complainant vs. Johanna Reiter, Respondent 2
- In the matter of the application of Arthur L. Curfman for writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the Application of Josie Martin in Habeas Corpus 1
123 results
Download JSON Download CSVDavis, Nelson
- Birth date: January 1, 1827
- Birth place: Tennessee
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Davis, Sarah M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1832
- Birth place: Kentucky
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Vetter, Fred
- Birth date: January 1, 1837
- Birth place: Saxony-Weimar
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: German
- Case role(s): Petitioner, interested party
Armstrong, Lydia
- Birth date: January 1, 1839
- Birth place: Indiana
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Armstrong, William W.
- Birth date: January 1, 1840
- Birth place: New York
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Holding party
Van Ormer, Christina (Christiana Summerlad)
- Birth date: September 1, 1846
- Birth place: Germany
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Clifton, Charles T.
- Birth date: January 1, 1849
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Holding party
Clifton, Emma F.
- Birth date: January 1, 1856
- Birth place: New York
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
Mullins, Ella T.
- Birth date: January 1, 1857
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Irish
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Ross, Loretta (née Durbin)
- Birth date: November 17, 1857
- Birth place: Oregon, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Tarrant, George A.
- Birth date: January 1, 1863
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Reiter, Johanna
- Birth date: April 1, 1863
- Birth place: Kappeln, Germany
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party, responding party
Bevans, Frank G.
- Birth date: January 1, 1865
- Birth place: Minnesota
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Reiter, Hermann
- Birth date: November 1, 1865
- Birth place: Roggendorf, Austria
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Hogan, Victoria (Victoria Jessie Vanderwater)
- Birth date: January 1, 1868
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent
McBride, Lillian
- Birth date: January 1, 1869
- Birth place: Pennsylvania
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent
McBride, George
- Birth date: January 1, 1869
- Birth place: Ireland
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White, Irish
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Crandall, Winnie
- Birth date: January 1, 1869
- Birth place: Michigan
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, Irish
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Daniels, Lila
- Birth date: January 1, 1869
- Birth place: Pennsylvania
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Holding party, responding party
Petosky, Alex (Petoskey)
- Birth date: January 1, 1874
- Birth place: Germany
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party
Green, Edgar B.
- Birth date: January 1, 1874
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Taylor, George
- Birth date: April 1, 1874
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Kinney, John (John F. Kinney)
- Birth date: January 1, 1875
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Blair, Albert A.
- Birth date: January 1, 1876
- Birth place: Iowa, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Rupert, Henry
- Birth date: January 1, 1877
- Birth place: Ohio
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Rupert, Emma
- Birth date: January 1, 1877
- Birth place: Germany
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Teter, Willard S.
- Birth date: January 1, 1878
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Kinney, Mary (Mary E. Kinney)
- Birth date: January 1, 1878
- Birth place: Massachusetts
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party
Smith, Charles A.
- Birth date: January 1, 1878
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, holding party
Taylor, Gertie
- Birth date: October 1, 1880
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Holding party, respondent, responding party
Curfman, Arthur F.
- Birth date: January 1, 1881
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Robotham, Minnie
- Birth date: January 1, 1881
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Kendall, Robert L.
- Birth date: January 1, 1882
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent
Petosky, (Anna)
- Birth date: January 1, 1883
- Birth place: Germany
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Interested party
Adams, Jennie Belle (Jennie Belle Scott)
- Birth date: January 1, 1884
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Bentley, Pearl Alma
- Birth date: January 1, 1884
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Eshom, Leta
- Birth date: January 1, 1886
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Harrison, Ellis M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1887
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Britton, Alvira E.
- Birth date: January 1, 1887
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Gantz, Nora Leon
- Birth date: January 1, 1887
- Birth place: Missouri
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Harrison, Eileen M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1888
- Birth place: Kansas, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Robotham, Robert G.
- Birth date: January 1, 1888
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Maurer, Rudolph
- Birth date: November 23, 1890
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Maurer, Golda
- Birth date: January 1, 1894
- Birth place: United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Risch, Georgia A.
- Birth date: January 1, 1896
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Respondent
Purdy, Margaret
- Birth date: January 1, 1897
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Pickard, Aubrey
- Birth date: January 1, 1899
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Pickard, Genevieve M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1899
- Birth place: Kansas, United States
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Palmer, James B.
- Birth date: May 1, 1957
- Birth place: Kentucky
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
McLean, J. S.
- Birth date: N.D.
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
