The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1890-11-14
THE PINKERTON FORCE.
A Mercenary Army Not Always
Composed of the Best Men.
How IL Is Organized and Its system OF
Discipline Its Members Cordially
Hated by the Regular Police and
All Labor Orgsniz zations.

The Pini1erton force. says the New
York Journal, owes its existence TO the
energy and shrewdness OF Allan Pinker-
ton. lie was born in Glasgow, Scotland.
in 1919, and in 1872 he arrived at Que
bee after a stormy voyage. He found
his way TO Chicago and opened cooper
shop. When in search of materials for
his work he discovered a gang OF coun-
terfeitcrs on an island in the Fox river.
He succeeded in breaking up the gang,
and displayed so much skill and nerve
that he was appointed deputy sheriff
of Cook County.
While holding this position he con-
ceived the idea of creating a detective
organization free from political infiu-
ences. Associated with lawyer named
Edward l. Rucker, IN 1852 Pinkerton
started the agency which now has Offices
IN New York, Chicago, Philadelphia,
Boston and Denver.
The greatest achievement of Allan
Pinkerton was the discovery OF plot TO
assassinate Abraham Lincoln while on
his way TO Washington TO be inaugu-
rated and the Illustration OF It. Pinker-
ton organized the secret-service division
during the war OF the rebellion. His
other detective feats consisted OF the
arrest Of innumerable law-breakers and
the restoration of millions of dollars TO
the owners
He died at Chicago on July /, 1854
He left a widow and three children. OF
eight born to him OF these the eldest
son, William A, is now in charge OF the
Western division OF the detective
agency, and his other son, Robert A, is
general superintendent and has imme-
diate charge OF the Eastern Offices.
Since the death OF the elder Pinkerton
the organization has increased in
strength and efficiency until at the
present time it is recognized as the great
private resource by large corporations
for the protection of lives and property
in times OF stress and storm.
About 500 detectives, both men and
women, are continuously employed at
stated salaries varying from So per day
10 So, 900 per year. There are nearly 100
detectives employed by the New York
Office alone.
The chief business of the agency Is
with banks and express companies The
methods Of the concern are hidden under
a vail of the closest secrecy, and infor-
nation with regard 70 the details OF the
work is kept inviolate.
AS an organization, however, which is
closely allied with lawlessness of every
kind, the Pinkerton Detective Agency
has been the subject OF good deal of
harsh criticism. II is cordially hated by
most Of the labor organizations. Wheth-
er this opposition is iustifiable is wholly
a matter of opinion. In the excitement
of great strike, such as the one recent
ly in force on the New York Central
road, man is often killed by the Pink
erton officers-
But these fatalities are more than Of
set by the deaths in the ranks OF the de-
tectives themselves, as was shown in
the fight with the James boys. While
engaged in the pursuit OF these desper-
ate men in Missouri the Pinkertons lost
five men IN one year.
OF course there are not always on
hand in the various offices q sufficient
number OF men to supply an eItraor-
dinary demand such as has occurred
during the past two weeks. To meet
such demands lists of selected men arc
kept, and when necessity demands these
men are sent for.
As rule these deputies are not IN
uniform, because of the enormous OK
pense involved. Neither have they any
legal right to carry arms, although they
often do SO. The Pinkerton men, as a
rule, have no more authority to make
an arrest than private citizen. When
employed in large numbers, as they
have been on the New York Central
road, the agency IS paid at the rate OF
IS per day for eaAh man, of which the
detective receives 81
They are required 70 make q written
report every evening Of every thing
done during the day, and the converse
ton overheard down TO the smallest de-
tail, together with every item OF ex-
pense incurred in the prosecution Of the
work. They are kept continually sd
vised from the home ofilce Is TO what
their movements shall be
The position of Pinkerton detective
IS not an enviable one. They are cor
daily hated by the regular police and
consequently never reveal their identity
unless forced 70 do SO.