greg roth associate professor criminal justice tuesday, november 05, 2013 “allen pinkerton:...
TRANSCRIPT
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?