Greg Roth Associate Professor Criminal Justice Tuesday, November 05, 2013 “Allen Pinkerton:...

Greg RothAssociate Professor

Criminal JusticeTuesday, November 05, 2013

“Allen Pinkerton: Cooper, Abolitionist,

Private Eye,Spy, Feminist, &

Savior of a President”

Alan Pinkerton

Born: August 25, 1819

Glasgow, Scotland Died: July 01, 1884

Chicago, IL

William Pinkerton – father

Police Sergeant

Glasgow Scotland Mother – Islabell Father killed during political

raid in city square

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/gangsters_outlaws/cops_others/pinkerton/1.html

Alan Pinkerton

Left home – runner for pattern maker

Apprentice – McCauley Cooperage Works

Joined Chartist movement

The People’s Charter (1838)

William Lovett London Working Men’s

Association

Chartist movement THE SIX POINTS OF THE CHARTER 

1. A vote for every man twenty one years of age, of sound mind, and not undergoing punishment for crime. 

2. The ballot  3. No property qualification for members of

Parliament 4. Payment of members, thus enabling an

honest tradesman, working man, or other person, to serve a constituency

http://www.chartists.net/The-six-points.htm

Chartist movement

5. Equal constituencies securing the same amount of representation

6. Annual Parliaments, thus presenting the most effectual check to bribery and intimidation

http://www.chartists.net/The-six-points.htm

Constabulary underground

ID’d some of the most vocal and active members of Chartist

Including Pinkerton Arrest warrant!

Oh the irony?

Married

Joan Carfrae of Edinburgh

March 13, 1842 No honeymoon! Soldiers to

arrest Next morning off to Quebec

Rocky road to America

Ship in storm – off course

Rammed on rocks – Nova Scotia

All possessions lost – few silver pieces in Allen’s vest pocket

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/gangsters_outlaws/cops_others/pinkerton/1.html

Survived to be robbed

Swam to shore

Collapsed on beach

Robbed by Indians – wedding ring

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/gangsters_outlaws/cops_others/pinkerton/1.html

Change of destination

Ship picked up survivors

Decided to go to America after hearing about fast growing Chicago

Good place for a barrel maker

http://www.trutv.com/library/crime/gangsters_outlaws/cops_others/pinkerton/1.html

Fellow Scotsmen

From Detroit to Chicago

Heard of barrelmaker from fellow Scotsmen – Lill’s Brewery

Downtown Chicago

Moving on

Heard of Dundee – Scottish town 40 miles

Local farmers complaining of barrel prices out of Chicago

“Pinkerton’s One and Original Cooperage of Dundee”

Growth and Costs

Business grew faster than expected

Wanted to cut costs of raw materials

Not pay for poles for barrel hoops, natural resource available

[Is]Land of Opportunity

Raw materials - island - Fox River

Island thought uninhabited

Pinkerton notice grass and brush bent – path

Followed path – found campsite

The law

Pinkerton knew counterfeiting in area

Told Sheriff

America

Cooper

Abolitionist

Cooper in America

Abolitionist

friend - John Brown Underground Railroad

Detective?

Accident!

After Island adventure Asked to investigate

counterfeiting by private businessmen

Chicago PD

PD - 1847

1st detective - 1849

Solved major cases for railroads

Chicago PD When wanted to start own

agency approached Rock Island and Illinois Central railroad President George B. McClelland

Pinkerton’s Agency Opened 1st office – Chicago

(80 Washington St.) - 1850

Solved many cases involving murders and thefts

Much press

Pinkerton’s Agency

Pinkerton created logo to publicize agency

“We Never Sleep”

Pinkerton became known as “the Eye”

“Private Eye”

Pinkerton Code Accept no bribes

Never compromise with criminals

Partner with local law enforcement agencies

Refuse divorce cases or cases that initiate scandals

Turn down reward money (Agents were well paid)

Never raise fees without the client’s pre-knowledge

Keep clients apprised on an on-going basis

Pinkerton Philosophy

Those who commit crimes have a need to talk about it.

Provide someone for them to talk to –operative!

Intelligence – situation and person

VERY SUCCESSFUL!

Detectives?

McClelland brings Pinkerton to Washington to find spies

Gives Pinkerton specific assignment

Detectives?

Assignment - Watch female

Rose O’neal Greenhow Who ends up in jail?

Famous spy?

Nope!

Rose O’Neal Greenhow

Beautiful widow (Dr. Robert Greenhow)

Grande Dame of Washington society

The queen of the Democratic administration

Cherished advisor to the PresidentStealing Secrets – How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles, and Altered the Course of the Civil War, H. Donald Winkler

Rose O’Neal Greenhow

398 West 16th St.

Washington City 4 blks from White House 1856 - 1860 Visitor! At least once a week

& always at night (sometimes until well past midnight)Stealing Secrets – How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles, and Altered

the Course of the Civil War, H. Donald Winkler

Rose O’Neal Greenhow

Visitor – James Buchanan – President

1845 Buchanan Sec. of State – Rose’s late husband served under him

Rose O’Neal Greenhow

Describe in newspapers as “the most persuasive woman in Washington”, “a woman of almost irresistible seduction powers” that would do anything to get ahead.

Did she seduce the President?

Detectives? August 22, 1861

Pinkerton & two Operatives on the case! Surveil! 398 West 16th St.

Two story, 1st floor ½ story up Night, pouring rain Pinkerton removes shoes, held

up to window my operatives.

Tension builds!

Detectives?

Pinkerton & two Operatives on the case!

Every time person passes… Observe…

Detectives?

Pinkerton observes Greenhow and military officer

Military officer opens maps

Discusses them with Greenhow – off points out particular points and positions

Pinkerton recognizes maps – fortifications in and around Washington

Detectives?

Maps folded

Two leave room (hand-in-hand?)

Return in about 1 hour

Detectives?

Pinkerton hears enough to believe off betraying country Follow…pursuit…! Off. runs…to

Provost-Marshal Station…off. disappears inside

4 soldiers with bayonets rush out, grab Pinkerton, escort him to guardhouse

Arrest!

Detectives?

Taken to see Captain of the Guard!

Who is it?

Pinkerton gives name E. J. Allen

Refuses to answer any other questions

Detectives?

Return to cell

Bribes guard – message to Thomas Scott (war department)

Pinkerton before Captain – “The secretary of war has been informed of your arrest, and you will be conducted to him at once, and then we shall see if you will remain silent any longer.”

Detectives? August 23, 1861

At least not until later!

Pinkerton arrests Greenhow Placed under “house arrest” Doesn’t work!

Detectives?

Search of house finds…

Burned papers of ciphered military info

Drawings of fortifications Bundle – 13 steamy letters to

“H”

Excerpts from 4 letters

“For the last few days every movement and act of mine have been watched with Hawk-eyed vigilance. For your sake more than my own I have been compelled to be cautious. But tomorrow at 10 a.m. I will see you at all hazards. H.”

Stealing Secrets – How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles, and Altered the Course of the Civil War, H. Donald Winkler

“H”

“You know I love you – and will sacrifice anything. I have feared bringing you into trouble – for I repeat to you that spies are put upon me, but I will try to elude them tonight, and once more we can have a happy hour in spite of fate. H.”

Stealing Secrets – How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles, and Altered the Course of the Civil War, H. Donald Winkler

“H”

“We are…considering the Pacific Railroad Bill…I will not fail tonight, and will bring you the thing of which we spoke last night. Bless you always. H.”

Stealing Secrets – How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles, and Altered the Course of the Civil War, H. Donald Winkler

“H”

“You know that I do love you. I am suffering this morning, in fact I am sick physically and mentally, and know nothing that would soothe me so much as an hour with you. And tonight, at whatever cost, I will see you. Yours, H.”

Stealing Secrets – How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles, and Altered the Course of the Civil War, H. Donald Winkler

“H”

“H” believed to be Senator Henry Wilson of Massachusetts

Chairman – Senate Military Affairs Committee!

Stealing Secrets – How a Few Daring Women Deceived Generals, Impacted Battles, and Altered the Course of the Civil War, H. Donald Winkler

The “Picnic Battle”

Bull-Run (Creek) – Manassas (Virginia) – July 1861

North expecting quick victory Wilson, senators, representatives,

newspaper reporters, and members of Washington society rode out to see victory

Wilson brought sandwiches for soldiers

http://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/common/generic/VP_Henry_Wilson.htm

The “Picnic Battle”

Bull-Run (Creek) – Manassas (Virginia) – July 1861

Confederates routed Union Wilson’s carriage was

crushed

“H”

Also involved in Credit Mobilier (railroad stock scandal)

Purchased stock in wife’s name, later returned it

Cleared of wrong doing

Became 18th Vice-president (Grant)

Old Capital Prison

Built 1800(12?) – tavern & boarding house, failed

Capital building burned during War of 1812

Capital housed in building until new built

Old Capital Prison

When vacated referred to a Old Capital

Boarding house, school

Civil War - building empty and in disrepair

Old Capital Prison

Old Capital Prison Plan with Carrol

Prison

Old Capital Prison Used for both north & south

prisoners

Bars put in…prisoners brought in.

William P. Wood – superintendent of prison First director of U. S. Secret Service Dispatched to hunt for Booth

http://www.samuelmudd.com/4231865-colonel-william-p-woods-reports.html

Old Capital Prison

Prisoners and hangings

Spies, Political Prisoners, Famous Prisoners – Rose

Greenhow & Belle Boyd (spies) & Capt. Henry Wirz (commander Andersonville prison)

Hangings - conspirators to Lincoln assassination

Rose O’Neal Greenhow

She WAS personally acquainted with all of Washington’s leading men

Became known as The Wild Rose

Rose O’Neal Greenhow

Developed spy network of 48 women and two men.

The Detective Agency!

SOURCE: http://www.pimall.com/nais/pivintage/pinkertonletterhead.html

The Pinkerton Detective Agency spent a great deal of funds on letterheads and reporting forms. This example of an 1880 letterhead shows a very expensive one for it's time.

Timothy Webster

Most successful detective

Caught due to rescue mission and arthritis from repeatedly forging cold river in line of duty

Hanged as spy.

Kate Warn(e)

1856 - Believed 1st female detective in United States!

Spy

Supervisor

Trainer

Kate Warn(e)

“In my service you will serve your country better than on the field. I have several female operatives. If you agree to come aboard you will go in training with the head of my female detectives, Kate Warne. She has never let me down.” - ALLAN PINKERTON

Kate Warn(e)

1st female detective

Talked her way in! 2 visits w/Pinkerton Told Pinkerton how she

could help!

No known photos (?) Controversy!

Pre-Civil War

Lincoln Inauguration trip to D.C.

Baltimore, Maryland!!!

Threats!

There had been very open threats against Lincoln

Not make it to Washington in time for inauguration

Not make it to Washington alive

Pinkerton to Baltimore

Samuel Morse Felton (president - Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Saved railroad from financial

ruin (President 1851) Made railroad major Union troop

transport

Samuel Morse Felton

Felton (1809-1889)

Born: Charlestown, MA. - 17 July 1809

Died: Philadelphia, PA. - 24 January 1889

SOURCE: Felton Family Papers, Collection 1151, Historical Society of Pennsylvania

Pinkerton to Baltimore

Samuel Morse Felton (president - Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Baltimore Railroad Reports secessionists in Baltimore

planning to cut Baltimore off from Washington - burning bridges & sinking the Susquehanna River train ferry.

Hired Pinkerton to protect RR

The Plot

Pinkerton convinced plot to assassinate President-elect Lincoln

Feb. 23, 1861

The Plot

Between Calvert St. station (Northern Central Railroad) and Camden St. station (Baltimore and Ohio Railroad)

President-elect have to take carriage from station to station.

The Plot

Plan - surround carriage with crowd and have one person kill Lincoln.

Disappear in crowd.

The Plot

Pinkerton tried to get Lincoln to skip stop in Harrisburg PA. and travel straight through Baltimore early.

Lincoln insisted keeping to original schedule.

Meanwhile…

Lincoln not want military escort.

1) Not feel necessary

2) Give wrong impression- Wanted issue resolved coming together, non-violence

Friends

R. A. Hunt sent letter warning Lincoln of threats dated Jan. 18, 1861.

Baltimore

No night railroad through town.

Lincoln’s cars towed through town by horse.

The Secret Trip

Pinkerton devised a plan secretly smuggled Lincoln into the nation's capitol on another train. Other than a couple of Pinkerton's agents, no one on the train even knew Lincoln was aboard.

The Secret Trip

Pinkerton stood guard on the porch of the last train car all night while Lincoln stayed just inside the last car in a lower booth.

Kate Warn had booked the ticket for Lincoln under the pretext that he was her sick brother.

The Result

“Plums delivered Nuts safely.”

Telegraph message sent by Pinkerton after Lincoln smuggled through Baltimore safely.

http://teachingamericanhistorymd.net/000001/000000/000015/html/t15.html

United States Secret Service

Today! Has nicknames for all people the protect!

Obama – Renegade Mrs. Obama – Renaissance Biden – Celtic Mrs. Biden - Capri

The Result

Large crowd formed to see Lincoln but President-elect already passed through.

Crowd only got to see Mrs. Lincoln, sons, and John Hay (Lincoln’s private secretary – set up entire trip)

The Result

Lincoln criticized for slipping through Baltimore –”like a thief in the night” and for leaving wife and sons to the danger!

“Passage Through Baltimore”

Adalbert Volck- Dentist- Caricaturist

http://teachingamericanhistorymd.net/000001/000000/000015/html/t15.html

“He reached the Capital as the poor, hunted fugitive slave reaches the North, in disguise, seeking concealment, evading pursuers … crawling and dodging under the sable wing of night. He changed his programme, took another route, started at another hour, travelled in other company, and arrived at another time in Washington. We have no censure for the President at this point. He only did what braver men have done.”

—Frederick Douglass,Life and Times (1881)

Off to Washington

Lincoln - regretted slipping into the capital “like a thief in the night.”

But did it really happen?

After the civil war, there were rumors that Pinkerton made the complete story up in order to better his detective agency.

But did it really happen?

New York City police, Superintendent John A. Kennedy published a book stating that he knew "nothing" about the Lincoln assassination implying that Pinkerton made the story up.

John A. Kennedy was jealous of Pinkerton and appeared to be attempting to destroy his reputation.

But did it really happen?

At first, Pinkerton remained silent

Rumors became so wild about it, he published the above 18 page investigative report.

But did it really happen?

Report contained: Eyewitness statements - including

a proven statement Lincoln himself had made on the subject.

The Investigative Report was sent to all governmental officials - all members of congress and the senate and anyone else with an interest.

http://www.pimall.com/nais/pivintage/ppassage.html

But did it really happen?

At time of report attorney for Pinkerton Agency – Clarence A. Seward Nephew of William H. Seward (?) Secretary of State under Lincoln First part of Johnson’s term –

Clarence filled in as Asst. Sec. of St.

Pinkerton’s Report

Special Allen Pinkerton Investigative ReportHistory And Evidence Of The Passage Of Abraham Lincoln From Harrisburgh, PA To Washington, DC 22nd And 23rd of February, 1861

Congressman Lincoln

Initially wanted end to all slavery.

Adopted idea of preventing spread After Pearl disaster…

Charles Torey – helped slaves escape to Canada

Died – Tuberculosis 1846 – Maryland penitentiary – 6 yrs aiding runaways

Congressman Lincoln

After Pearl disaster… William Chaplin – replaced

Torrey Purchased slave freedom with

support of Gerrit Smith – organizer Liberty Party

Daniel & Mary Bell & 9 children Owner going to split up family

Congressman Lincoln

After Pearl disaster… Chaplin recruited Daniel Drayton

(experienced ship Captain) Drayton recruited Edward Sayres

operating 150-ton schooner Pearl $100 for Pearl – equivalent to ½ yr wages now!

April 15, 1848 76 slaves entered Pearl

Storm forced put ashore – owners discovered

Congressman Lincoln

After Pearl disaster… Posse of 35 armed men arrested

Drayton and Sayres Towed Pearl to Washington Slaves put in Slave Pens – within

10 days most sold to slave dealers Drayton & Sayres jailed Bail set at $1000 per slave

Congressman Lincoln

After Pearl disaster… Conscience Whigs believed

involved Incident caused riots Washington more! $ needed for bail, and other

issues, took money from purchasing slave freedom

The Civil War

United States Secret Service

April 1861 Gen. George B. McClelland

suggestion - org. system for intell. from south

From system created “Secret Service”

Alan Pinkerton?

E. J. Allen?

Most military and government officials had no idea!

One of most famous pics.Antietam (Maryland)President LincolnLincoln R –

Alan PinkertonLincoln L –

Major Gen. John A. McClernandPhotographer –

Alexander Gardner

Alexander Gardner Outset of the U.S. Civil War,

Mathew Brady sent photographers to document.

Scottish-born immigrant - Alexander Gardner.

Gardner photographed Lincoln 7 occasions, the last one on February 5, 1865, only a few weeks before Lincoln’s assassination.

Alexander Gardner

1866 he published Gardner’s Sketchbook of the War, commemorating Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Petersburg – book commercial failure.

Photographic historians suggest Gardner staged

The Civil War

Union Spies = Pinkerton

Who is that?

Who is that?

Intermittent brief periods of exhaustive research…

Inescapable conclusion - the famous crooning rebel spy…

…Dean Martin!

=?

The spy…the info.June 1861

Pinkerton & Secret Service?

Major Allan Pinkerton with his Secret Service Department friends - Antietam, Maryland. For President Lincoln, Pinkerton was really the head of intelligence gathering for the Civil War. They unofficially called it the Secret service.

The Ralph D. Thomas PI Vintage Collection

Civil War Intelligence Agents

The Ralph D. Thomas PI Vintage Collection

The Civil War

Confederate troop strength

Oops! McClelland

Didn’t help McClelland’s curb appeal!

For a fee!

The Ralph D. Thomas PI Vintage Collection

Strike Breakers!

Pinkerton guards escorting strikebreakers, Buchtel, Ohio, 1884

Strike Breakers!

The Battle of Homestead 2 barges with 300 Pinkertons Thousands of strikers and towns people

met them Gun fire, cannon fire! Pinkertons surrender, beaten (over 1/23

injured) , removed by train, barges set on fire

7 strikers, 2 Pinkertons dead 8500 troops called in

Author

Over a dozen books

Over 30 short stories

Author

The Expressman and the Detective (1874)Claude Melnotte as a Detective and Other Stories (1875)The Detective and the Sonambulust (1875)The Model Town and the Detectives: Byron as a Detective (1876)The Spiritualists and the Detectives (1877)The Mollie Maguires and the Detectives (1877)Strikers, Communists, Tramps and Detectives (1878)Mississippi Outlaws and the Detectives (1878)The Gypsies and the Detectives (1878)Criminal Reminiscences and Detective Sketches (1879)Bucholz and the Detectives (1878)Professional Thieves and the Detectives (1881)The Rail-Road Forger and the Detectives (1883)Bank-Robbers and the Detectives (1881)The Spy of the Rebellion (1883)The Burglar's Fate and the Detectives (1884)Thirty Years a Detective (1884, memoir)

Author

Book Spy of the Rebellion and ad.

Grave

Graceland Cemetery, Chicago, IL

In 2000 the Pinkerton National Detective Agency celebrated 150 yrs.

May of that year donated vast archive to Smithsonian Institute

The Ultimate theft deterrent?

Next year?

Alexander Gardner?

Armor – Iron Clads to Abrams tank?