Pinkerton Detective Agency – For 150 Years
The Pinkerton National Detective Agency, a name synonymous with both intrepid law enforcement and controversial labor disputes, stands as a formidable institution in American history. Founded in 1850 by Allan Pinkerton, a Scottish immigrant with a keen eye for justice and an entrepreneurial spirit, the agency rapidly ascended to prominence, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s landscape. For over a century and a half, the Pinkerton Detective Agency has navigated the treacherous waters of American progress, adapting to changing times while remaining a constant, albeit sometimes contentious, presence.
The story of the Pinkerton Agency begins with its founder, Allan Pinkerton. Born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1819, Pinkerton’s early life was marked by political activism and a strong sense of social justice. He participated in the Chartist movement, advocating for voting rights and social reforms. Facing persecution for his activism, Pinkerton immigrated to the United States in 1842, seeking a land of opportunity and freedom.
Settling near Chicago, Illinois, Pinkerton initially worked as a barrel maker for Lill’s Brewery. However, his ambition and resourcefulness soon led him to strike out on his own. He established his own barrel-making business in Dundee, Illinois, quickly gaining a reputation for quality and affordability. This early entrepreneurial venture proved to be a pivotal moment, leading him down an unexpected path toward law enforcement.
It was while gathering materials for his barrel-making business that Pinkerton stumbled upon a counterfeiting operation. While searching for wood on a small island in the Fox River, he discovered evidence of illicit activity. Acting on his suspicions, he alerted the local sheriff and together they investigated the island, ultimately leading to the arrest of a group of counterfeiters. Pinkerton’s involvement in capturing the criminals, especially the ringleader, marked a turning point in his life, setting him on a course far removed from barrel making.
This accidental foray into law enforcement led to Pinkerton’s appointment as a deputy sheriff for Kane County. His dedication and effectiveness in this role propelled him further, and in 1850, he became Chicago’s first police detective. Recognizing the need for a more organized and professional approach to crime detection, Pinkerton partnered with Chicago attorney Edward Rucker to establish the North-Western Police Agency. This marked the formal beginning of what would become the Pinkerton Detective Agency.
Meanwhile, Allan’s brother, Robert, had established his own business, "Pinkerton & Co," as early as 1843. Initially a railroad contractor, Robert’s business gradually shifted toward providing security services for railroads and stagecoaches. He secured contracts with Wells Fargo to provide guards on stagecoaches. As Robert’s business expanded, he hired detectives and guards to protect railroads and stagecoaches.
Within a year, Allan and Rucker’s business was dissolved, and Allan joined his brother Robert in his already established company. The company was renamed the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. The newly formed Pinkerton Detective Agency offered a range of services, from private military contracting to security guards, but specialized in capturing counterfeiters and train robbers. Unlike many of the other detective agencies of the time, which were often plagued by unsavory reputations, the Pinkerton Agency distinguished itself by establishing uniform fees and adhering to a strict code of conduct. This commitment to professionalism quickly earned the agency respect and credibility.
The Pinkerton Detective Agency gained national attention when Allan Pinkerton claimed to have foiled an assassination plot against President-elect Abraham Lincoln in 1861. As Lincoln traveled to Washington for his inauguration, the Pinkerton Agency uncovered a conspiracy to assassinate him in Baltimore. Acting swiftly, Pinkerton agents altered Lincoln’s itinerary, ensuring his safe passage to the capital. During the Civil War, President Lincoln hired the Pinkerton Detective Agency to organize a "secret service" to obtain military information on the Confederates and sometimes act as Lincoln’s bodyguard. Allan Pinkerton traveled under the pseudonym of "Major E.J. Allen".
Following the Civil War, the Pinkerton Agency continued to expand its operations, providing security and investigative services to both the government and private sector. The agency played a significant role in pursuing notorious outlaws of the era, including Jesse James, the Reno Brothers, and Butch Cassidy and his Wild Bunch. The agency’s logo, a black-and-white eye emblazoned with the slogan "We Never Sleep," became a symbol of its relentless pursuit of criminals, and is believed to be the origin of the term "private eye."
However, the Pinkerton Agency’s legacy is not without its controversies. The agency’s involvement in the labor disputes of the late 19th century cast a long shadow over its reputation. Hired by businesses to suppress strikes and break unions, the Pinkerton Agency became a symbol of anti-labor sentiment. Accusations of heavy-handed tactics, including intimidation, violence, and even inciting riots, tarnished the agency’s image.
The most notorious incident was the Homestead Strike of 1892, where a confrontation between Pinkerton agents and striking steelworkers resulted in the deaths of 11 people. This event fueled public outrage and further damaged the agency’s reputation. The Pinkerton Detective Agency continued to be involved in the labor movement into the 20th century, and their reputation was harmed for years in the public consciousness.
Despite these controversies, the Pinkerton Agency endured. Allan Pinkerton passed away in 1884, and his sons, Robert and William, took over the agency. In 1907, the agency was inherited by the founder’s grandson, Allan Pinkerton II, and his great-grandson, Robert II, in 1930. When Robert Pinkerton II died in 1967 without a male heir, the family direction of the corporation came to an end.
Over the years, the Pinkerton Detective Agency adapted to changing times, expanding its services and embracing new technologies. Today, Pinkerton’s Inc. has since grown to a $1.5 billion organization that provides a wide range of security services. The company has its U.S. headquarters in Westlake Village, California, and is a subsidiary of the Securitas Group of Stockholm, Sweden, a world leader in the security industry.
From its humble beginnings as a one-man operation to its current status as a global security firm, the Pinkerton National Detective Agency has played a significant role in shaping American history. Its legacy is complex, marked by both achievements and controversies. While its contributions to law enforcement and crime prevention are undeniable, its involvement in labor disputes remains a source of contention. The story of the Pinkerton Agency serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of security and the importance of ethical conduct in the pursuit of justice.