The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-04-16
Mrs. Rate Warn, the Female Detective.

A short time since the readers of this
paper may have observed under the head
Of deaths that of Mrs. Kate Warn, for
thirteen years the Superintendent of the
female department of Pinkerton' Ma
tional Police Agency She was most
remarkable woman, and as such deserves
a passing notice. She was born in the
town of Erin, Chemung county, New
York, and at the time of her death was
thirty eight years Of age Her parents
were honest and industrious people, but
being poor required the early labor of
their children, and the subject of this
sketch being the oldest, there devolved
upon her, while mere child, many of
the household cares of a numerous family.
Consequently her privileges for obtaining
an education We're very limited. She
was a marked woman amongst her sex.
with large, active brain, great mental
power, an excellent judge of character,
and possessed OF a strong, active vitality.
She showed herself well fitted to assume
the responsibilities and discharge the
severe and trying duties of the peculiarly
responsible position which she occupied
at the time of her death-the superinten-
tendent of the female portion of what is
said to be the largest private detective
organization in the world. 1t is about
fifteen years since Mr.. Pinkerton com.
menced business on his own account as
private detective. Some two years
after he was called upon by Mrs. Warn,
stranger, who applied for position as
female detective. Up till that time ne
had never dreamed of employing females,
and even then could not realize how they
could be employed consistent with strict
regard for the prejudices of community.
After several interviews, however, Mrs
Warn succeeded IN convincing Mr. Pin
kerton that the innovation could be
realized, and she entered his service.
soon it became necessary to employ other
female detectives; she was placed at their
head, where she exhibited great kindness,
strength of will, and force of character,
impruing all who surrounded her with
the strict rule of moral probity and right
she had made her own. As Mr.. Pinker-
ton S business progressed, so the female
| force increased. She was always equal
to any emergency that came. Her firm
ness, will, and character enabled her to
| subject every one who came within range
| of her mind to her ideas, and required
| from them a strict observance of the
| rules which had been adopted for the
guidance of the female detective force.
As the world generally looks at these
things at the present time, the very name
of detective is synonymous with associa-
tons of evil. Still this is not necessary,
and so far as regarded the female depart
ment under the change of Mrs. Warn,
was not true. Among some of the earlier
investigations with which she was con-
nected was that of the robbery of the
Adams Express Company at Montgom-
cry, Ala, whereby that company lost
about $4,000 After long and careful
following up of this case by both the male
and female portion of Mr.. Pinkerton' S
force, the money was all received except
$4S5, by Mrs. Warn, at Jenkintown,
Penn, nearly one year after the money
had been stolen. At the time when the
money was received, it was in the original
packages in which it had been put at the
bank. She was also the lady unknown
fwho arranged for the securing of the