St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-06-14

ing the detective to make the arrest. In
deed, it is claimed that detectives make no
effort to work up cases unless the neWspa-
pers have printed details so complete that
blind man could not fail to follow the
clue. But it is not of the regular city Off
GERS shall write you, but of that unscrupu-
lous spy, the private detective. There
are in Chicago half dozen detective
agencies, ranging all the way from respect
able reliability to the small concern that
does
A BLACKMAILING BUSINESS.
Of the former, Pinkerton's heads the list,
and it is generally regarded as more efhclent
than the regular city force. The business OF
the firm is legitimate and very extensive,
though not so carefully managed as during
the lifetime of the late Allan PinkertOn.
This firm has a large percentage from bust
ness men, owners of large office buildings,
who desire watchmen, besides the regular
work of the house, that requires the services
of score of detectives proper. A new
sign, bearing the inscription Private Detec-
tive Agency. in the district given over to
fashionable retail trade, attracted my atten-
ton few days ago, and l was told by the
elevator man that the firms business seemed
chiefly to be with the fashionable female
class. The fact is wives have adopted the
spy system of keeping watch over their
husbands movements, and it is not unusual
for the suspicious maiden to accept the
proffered facilities for acquainting them
selves with the true characters of their
sweethearts. In order to get at the method
of doing business in this place, l enlisted
the services Of a bright young lady, asking
her to call at one of these agencies for the
ostensible purpose of having a man shad-
owed. A not over-ready assent was OBJ
tanned, as she had natural shrinking from
such an GRAND, but she finally complied
with my request, and afterward related her
experience, thus: ga lad answered my
ring at the door, and was ushered into a
small but elegantly furnished room, where
I was Joined moment later by we'll
dressed middle-aged gentleman, who asked
the nature of my business. l told him that
for certain personal reasons l desired to
know the life and habits of certain young
gentleman, and the investigation must be
conducted
WITH THE UTMOST SECRECY.
He replied affably that that was the line
of business he was in, and unfOlded to me
the manner and cost of such work. First,
a description was necessary and place
where hecould see the victim and get a good
look at his face so that the shadowing pro-
cess could be properly carried out. Once
seen by the detective, they agree to never
lose sight of him day or night. The charge
for this service is $40 per day and expenses
such as drinks, admission to places of
amusement, car fare, or whatever may be
requisite to quiet the suspicious Of the man
under surveillance was obliged to hire
two men. as that avoids possibility of his
slipping out of view-a thing that will
sometimes happen in case the Swallowed in
dividual enters house by one door and
goes out at another. Of course he wanted
$50 day for this double service. For this
sum the police detective agreed to keep strict
watch on my victim, reporting to me every
night or morning, as l preferred, notifying
me in writing of his every move and agree
ing to send me word by telegraph or mes
senger, if desired, on locating him in any
place where [ might choose to confront him
and obtain positive proof Of his perfidy.
The manager also said that l must give my
name and address to prevent his detectives
being employed for Matchmaking purposes,
adding that if disliked to state my case
fully to him he would send in female at
tendant who would relate the facts to him
afterward. When 1 suggested that there
seemed to be no provision in the way OF
putting check on the detective if he de-
sired to make use of my case for blackmail,
the manager assured me that he and all
HIS MEN WE'RE HONORABLE
and would not even, think of doing any
thing so reprehensible. Then I demurred
on account of the high price, and he seemed
SO anxious to take my case that he agreed
to furnish me two men for SIS day. And
l had difficulty in getting away, but, assrlr-
ing him that l would call again, he allowed
me to depart"
Later in the day [ met member of the
city detective force, who has been in the
service for years, and is regarded as one of
the best men in his business in the country.
1 called his attention to this private agency,
and he replied that the business of most
places Of that character was conducted
legitimately-if such term can be used in
connection with the kind of work they do.
And then, laughing, 81 can tell you story
that will serve to illustrate some of the
cases that are conducted by these private
agencies. Not long ago finely dressed
lady of middle age consulted the manager
of a prominent private agency, desiring her
husbands movements reported to her. He
is prominent board of trade man. rather
frisky for man of 45, but his quiet enjoy
ment off change seldom verged beyond a
quiet bottle with some male friends over a
game of draw. His hours were not as reg
ular as they should be in middle-aged man,
but his transgressions were not serious,
though his wife was confident that he was
doing worse things than you would care to
print. Quietly, but without that efficiency
that constitutes good faithful work, the de-
tectives were shadowing the man, and their
daily report to the suspicious wife almost
invariably contained note stating that
from noon until o'clock the merchant was
closely
HIDDEN IN A ROOM
in a certain block near the board of trade
building All efforts to find out the nature
of his occupation while in that room were
unavailing. Finally one day the detective
saw young lady enter the room shortly in
advance of the merchant. Without waiting
| to make further investigation the detective
sent word by messenger to the wife, re-
| lating what he had seen. She, furious with
rage, ordered the detective to secure an un-
occupied room adjoining the suspicious
| apartment, where her husband made such
regular calls, and in few days later she
put in an appearance, in company with her
faithful spy, at the rented room, there to
watch for her delinquent spouse. Here i'm
patience got the better of discretion, and as
| the husband came up the elevator few
moments later he caught a glimpse of his
wife and the detective as they hastily re-
! treated into their room. Without entering
the apartment that he usually visited the
husband went directly to the agency that
had supplied his wife with shadow, and
secured the services of another official to
watch his wife. The manager, of course.
knew that the wife was all right, but the
opportunity of making an extra fee for an
easy service was too good to be lost, and he