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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 119
- petitioner 29
- interested party 16
- holding party 14
- respondent 12
- responding party 11
- petitioner attorney 2
- respondent attorney 2
Birth Place
- Unknown 98
- Nebraska 23
- United States 15
- Illinois 6
- Iowa 4
- Missouri 3
- New Mexico 3
- Washington 3
- Astoria, Washington 2
- Mississippi 2
- North Dakota 2
- Oregon 2
- Connecticut 1
- Ireland 1
- Italy 1
- Tennessee 1
- Virginia 1
Age Category
- Minor 104
- Adult 36
- Unindicated 18
- Unclear 1
Relationships
- sibling of 167
- parent of 117
- judged by 51
- in the disputed interpersonal custody of 45
- child of 27
- attorney for 24
- relative of 22
- an institutional ward of 20
- attorney against 16
- presumed relative of 15
- grandparent of 10
- jailed by 8
- married to 8
- detained by 7
- in the temporary custody of 7
- in legal custody of 6
- kidnapper of 6
- inlaw of 5
- adoptive parent of 3
- stepparent of 3
- attorney with 2
- foster parent of 2
- legal representative of (power of attorney) 2
- next friend of 2
- opposing attorney to 2
- self-appointed guardian of 2
- under the military command of 2
- court-appointed guardian of 1
- former inlaw of 1
- formerly enslaved by 1
- formerly married to 1
- half sibling of 1
- son 1
Cases
- Habeas Corpus of W. S. Matthews against Maria Matthews + House of the Good Shepherd 9
- In the matter of the application of James E. Warden for a writ of Habeas Corpus 6
- In the Matter of the Application of Mary Brabec for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Annie Brabec, Lillie Brabec, Willie Brabec, Emma Brabec and Arthur Brabec 5
- State of Nebraska on the relation of Lille Walton, Cora Walton, Ernest Glenn Walton, Ledonia Walton, and Bessie Walton and Petition of Hiatt Elmer Walton, father of said children, for habeas corpus 5
- Mary Charlotte, woman of color v. Gabriel S. Choteau 4
- The State of Nebraska On the Relation of Hermann Reiter, Complainant vs. Johanna Reiter, Respondent 4
- Anson and Michael, persons of color, by and through their next friend, William Clark v. Elijah Mitchel 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
- In re application of Marie Philbrick for writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In Re the Petition of Juan Rey Abeita for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the Application of Maggie Jones for Writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- 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 3
- In the matter of application of Ethel Siefken for and on behalf of Marvel Siefken, Elmo Siefken and Kennard Siefken, minors for writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the application of Eddy Cramer, Willie Cramer, and Clarence Cramer, by George H. A. Cramer, for a writ of Habeas Corpus 3
- In the matter of the petition of custody of & welfare of Patrick Quinn, Leo Quinn and Mary Quinn, neglected and abused children 3
- Matter of Application of Emma Clifton for Habeas Corpus 3
- Application of Eva Miller & Jessie Miller (Minors) for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Application of M. E. Smith for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Bertha Crader vs. F. W. Durbin and State of Oregon 2
- Catharine L. Martin v. Jesse Martin 2
- Ellis M. Harrison vs. Eillen M. Harrison 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of Moses G. Bishops 2
- Habeas Corpus in the matter of William Ryan 2
- Habeas Corpus of Alex Petosky against Edward Cudihee Shf. 2
- Habeas Corpus of Asakichi Yamagami for wife against I. Hyashi et al 2
- Habeas Corpus of Louisa Tubbs for Samuel Tubbs against Charles and Caroline Spink 2
- In re application for George W. Hahne and Elsie M. Hahne for writ of Habeas Corpus vs. Fred E. Sawtell and Mary A. Sawtell 2
- In Re Application of Jane M. Williams for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re Application of Olive Anderson, for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In re Application of Sam Butera for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of Application for writ of Habeas Corpus for Harry Carr and Herbert Carr minor children of Sam'l L. Carr 2
- In the Matter of the Application and Petition of Donald Warner and Floyd Warner for Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application for Kathleen L. Williams for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Roger H. Williams 2
- In the matter of the application for Luige Gargono for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Addaline A. Wilson and Oliver Perry Wilson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Annie Davis, Clarence W. Davis, and Carrie B. Davis for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Bonnie Manion for a Writ of Habeas Corpus for Lera Manion and Howard Manion 2
- In the matter of the application of Charles W. Gerrish for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Edna Sullivan and Geraldine Sullivan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Edward L. Dodder for writ of Habeas Corpus for Ruthie Ewart 2
- In the matter of the application of Flow Morton and Leona P. Morton husband and wife, in behalf of their minor children William LaVearl Morton and Gladys Lucile Morton 2
- In the matter of the application of Frank Jones for Writ of Habeas Corpus for Ray Jones and Madeline Jones 2
- In the matter of the application of George Craig, Olie Williamson and Mabel Williamson 2
- In the Matter of the application of George H. Place on Behalf of his two minor children Howard D. Place and Zella V. Place for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Hew G. Durham for a writ of Habeas Corpus on behalf of Sylvia May Durham 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Katie Christner Writ of habeas Corpus 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 Maria L. Peterson for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Marie Paulson Hislop on behalf of Herbert Paulson and Robert Paulson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Martin D. Reilly and Christy Reilly for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of Mary E. Teller for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the Application of Nora Hanna for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Pearl Brandt, minor, by Frank Brandt her father and next friend for a writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of Robert Ashburn for writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the Matter of the Application of W. M. McPhay for Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of William Chapman for a writ of Habeas Corpus (husband of Mildred Chapman) 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 G. Clarke, for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- In the matter of the application of William Sherman for a writ of Habeas Corpus for Henry Sherman 2
- In the matter of the application of Yu Gum and Yu Hung for a 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 Russell Eyerly and Raymond Eyerly for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 2
- Milly, a black woman, for herself and her two infant children, Eliza and Bob v. Mathias Rose 2
- Peter, a free man of color vs. James Walton, George Walton 2
- Roy Stearns vs. R. R. Lee Steiner, Superintendent of the Oregon State Hospital 2
- Samuel Montgomery v. Edwina Montgomery 2
- State of Nebraska ex rel Agnes Donohue, et al. vs. Kittie F. Noonan, et al. 2
- Vincent Duncan vs. James Duncan 2
- Anson, a boy of color v. Henry G. Mitchel and Henry C. Russel 1
- In the matter of the application of Benjamin Wise for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Edward Gregory for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Joe Lachapell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of John Dugan for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the Matter of the Application of Oliver Lachapell for a Writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- In the matter of the application of Samuel Jackson for a writ of Habeas Corpus 1
- Marianne, a person of color vs. Elijah Mitchel, Alexander J. Fields 1
- Matilda By the Habeas Corpus act 1
- Michael, a boy of color vs. Henry G. Mitchel and Henry C. Russel 1
- Nathan Cole, a person of color v. Elijah Mitchel 1
- Patrick Holland vs. Dr. R. E. Lee Steiner 1
- State of Nebraska ex rel Richard Seward by Kittie F. Noonan, his next friend, etc. vs. Agnes Donohue, et al. 1
167 results
Download JSON Download CSVRyan, William
- Birth date: May 1, 1837
- Birth place: Ireland
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Miller, Frances
- Birth date: January 1, 1842
- Birth place: Connecticut
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Interested party
Ryan, John
- Birth date: June 1, 1855
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Brandt, Frank
- Birth date: January 1, 1864
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Martin, Martha M. (Mary)
- Birth date: January 1, 1865
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Dodder, Sarah Elizabeth
- Birth date: November 15, 1865
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent
Dugan, John
- Birth date: January 1, 1866
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Petitioner, bound party, interested party
Martin, George
- Birth date: September 1, 1866
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Interested party
McNary, John Hugh
- Birth date: January 31, 1867
- Birth place: Oregon, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent attorney, petitioner attorney
Montgomery, George Clarence
- Birth date: January 1, 1871
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Interested party
Montgomery, Myra Bell
- Birth date: April 1, 1873
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound 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
Davis, Carrie B.
- Birth date: January 1, 1874
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
McNary, Charles Linza
- Birth date: June 12, 1874
- Birth place: Oregon, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent attorney, petitioner attorney
Reiter, John
- Birth date: August 1, 1874
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Bound party
Williams, Jane M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1875
- Birth place: Tennessee
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Noonan, Marie
- Birth date: January 1, 1875
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Becker, Emma
- Birth date: January 1, 1878
- Birth place: Iowa
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Respondent, responding party, holding party
Abeita, Louis
- Birth date: January 1, 1878
- Birth place: New Mexico
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Indigenous
- Case role(s): Bound party
Noonan, Kittie F.
- Birth date: January 1, 1878
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner, holding party, respondent, responding party
Lundvall, Ida
- Birth date: January 1, 1879
- Birth place: Astoria, Washington
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Abeita, Vicente
- Birth date: January 1, 1880
- Birth place: New Mexico
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Indigenous
- Case role(s): Bound party
Clifton Jr., Charles
- Birth date: April 1, 1880
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Lundvall, Hilma
- Birth date: January 1, 1881
- Birth place: Astoria, Washington
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Clifton, Roy (Royden A. Clifton)
- Birth date: January 1, 1882
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Clifton, Clarence
- Birth date: January 1, 1883
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Miller, Jessie M.
- Birth date: January 1, 1883
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Unknown
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Abeita, Antonio
- Birth date: January 1, 1885
- Birth place: New Mexico
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Indigenous
- Case role(s): Bound party
Davis, Clarence W.
- Birth date: January 1, 1886
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Reilly, Martin D.
- Birth date: January 1, 1887
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Petitioner
Clarke, Holley Lyon
- Birth date: January 1, 1888
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Reiter, Rosa
- Birth date: February 1, 1888
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Bound party
Reiter, Hermann Jr.
- Birth date: July 1, 1892
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- 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
Tubbs, Nellie
- Birth date: January 1, 1895
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Interested party
Reiter, Lillie
- Birth date: June 1, 1895
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: White, German
- Case role(s): Bound party
Gross, Walter
- Birth date: January 1, 1896
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Richards, Rosalie
- Birth date: January 1, 1896
- Birth place: Mississippi
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Interested party
Christner, Loy Willmer
- Birth date: January 1, 1896
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Tubbs, Beatrice
- Birth date: January 1, 1897
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Interested party
Cramer, Willie
- Birth date: January 1, 1897
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Richards, Adrian
- Birth date: January 1, 1898
- Birth place: Mississippi
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Interested party
Clarke, Caryl Chapin
- Birth date: January 1, 1899
- Birth place: Illinois
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Mullins, William
- Birth date: January 1, 1899
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Carr, Harry
- Birth date: January 1, 1899
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Gross, Edna
- Birth date: January 1, 1900
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Bound party
Carr, Herbert
- Birth date: January 1, 1900
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: Black
- Case role(s): Bound party
Cramer, Clarence
- Birth date: January 1, 1900
- Birth place: Nebraska, United States
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Hahne, Gordon W.
- Birth date: January 1, 1902
- Birth place: Nebraska
- Sex: Male
- Race or ethnicity: White
- Case role(s): Bound party
Christner, Mona Marie
- Birth date: January 1, 1902
- Birth place: Unknown
- Sex: Female
- Race or ethnicity: Unknown
- Case role(s): Interested party
