The Pinkerton Detective Agency | "We Never Sleep" | 1
May 8, 2024
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The podcast delves into the origins of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, founded by Allan Pinkerton, highlighting their role in preventing the assassination of President Lincoln. It explores Pinkerton's journey from Scotland to becoming a renowned lawman, as well as the agency's evolution into spies during the Civil War and pursuit of outlaws in the Wild West. The thrilling recount of train robberies and the relentless pursuit of the notorious Reno Brothers gang adds an exciting twist to the narrative.
41:09
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Quick takeaways
The Pinkerton Detective Agency, founded by Allan Pinkerton in the 1850s, played a crucial role in preventing the assassination of President Lincoln and later served as spies during the Civil War.
The Pinkerton Agency's pursuit of outlaws, such as the notorious Reno Brothers gang, highlighted the challenges faced, including agent deaths and setbacks, but also showcased their determination and successes.
Deep dives
Plotting to Assassinate Abraham Lincoln
Undercover Pinkerton agent posing as a stockbroker infiltrates a pro-slavery group in Baltimore planning to kill President Abraham Lincoln. The leader, Sipriano Farandini, reveals the plot to assassinate Lincoln during his whistle stop tour. Evidence of the threat leads to a successful secret operation to keep Lincoln safe during his journey to Washington.
The Origins and Evolution of the Pinkerton Agency
Alan Pinkerton founds the Pinkerton Detective Agency in the 1850s, recruiting elite detectives including pioneering women. Pinkerton's agents prevent the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and later work as undercover spies during the Civil War. Post-war, the agency hunts Wild West outlaws and becomes a precursor to modern-day private security firms.
The Investigation and Capture of Train Robbers
The Pinkerton Agency tackles post-war crime, targeting the notorious Reno Brothers gang, the first organized train robbers in the U.S. Through infiltration and capture missions, the agency brings down the gang members but faces challenges as they escape and evade capture. The agency's pursuit of the outlaws leads to near-fatal encounters and successes.
Challenges, Losses, and Resilience
The Pinkerton Agency faces setbacks, with agent deaths, including Kate Warren and Timothy Webster. A fire destroys the agency's records, followed by Alan Pinkerton's stroke and rebuilding efforts. The agency recovers, focusing on post-war crime, but Alan Pinkerton's resolve is tested by personal losses and challenges with the outlaw Jesse James.
In the early 1850s, Scottish immigrant Allan Pinkerton stumbled upon a counterfeiting operation while gathering wood for his barrel-making business. After helping the authorities arrest the criminals, he was inspired to form a detective agency, to chase bank robbers and train bandits. His business grew quickly and in 1861 he was enlisted to prevent an attempted assassination of President Lincoln.
The Pinkerton Detective Agency soon established itself as America’s most innovative and aggressive private police force, spying for the Union during the Civil War, and sending agents out to hunt the nation’s most notorious Wild West outlaws.
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