THE CAREER OP AN AMERICAN FEMALE DETECTIVE.

Southland Times, Issue 1022, 16 September 1868, Page 3

THE CAREER OP AN AMERICAN FEMALE DETECTIVE.

■©■ (From the "New York Revolution.") Mrs Kate "Warn, born in the town of Erin, Chernung Co., N.Y., of. poor parents, she. had few opportunities of education ; but nature had educated her by giving her a large brain, a good judgment, quick perception, and a resolute will. Mr Pinkerton commenced business as a private detective about fifteen years ago. Some two years after he was callad upon by Mrs "Warn/a stranger, who applied for a position as female detective. Up to that time he had no thought of employing females, but. the novelty and utility of the thing quickly banished what he supposed might be the prejudices of society, and, after several interviews, she was taken into service. She soon proved her competency, and when it became necessary to add other females to that branch of the service, Mrs "Warn was chosen as their head. Her force was thoroughly organised, and the most rigid rules of discipline, moral and otherwise, were laid down. Her control over all her subordinates was commensurate with her strong will, her unceasing vigilance, both for the preservation and utilisation of the force, and to overcome the scruples that mankind entertained of the propriety of that kind of service. Her own life is a vindication of the wisdom of her creed, for her duty even led her into associations unpleasanto dwell on, and brought her constantly into contact with the worst phases of society. Among some of the earlier investigations submitted to her charge was that of the robbery of the Adams Express Company, at Montgomery, Alabama. The loss was about 10,000 dols. After a long and intricate search, she followed the package step by step, until she finally recovered it, except 495 dols., at Jenkintown, in this State, about one year after it had been stolen. At the. time of the passage

of Mr Lincoln and suite from Harrisburg to ■Washington to be inaugurated, the air was coowded with rumors of assassination, and well-organised plots hatl been laid in Baltimore, the details of which no one sufficiently knew to propose a plan of circumvention. Suddenly an " unknown lady " appeared and arranged the time of departure, the procuration of sleeping-car berth, and such other precautionary steps as her intimate knowledge of the plot and ready judgment suggested. This " unknown kdy " was Mrs Warn. At the breaking out of the rebellion, Mr Pinkerton having been assigned to duty as the head of the secret service of the army of the United States, Mrs "Warn took charge of the female department in "Washington, and continued at the head of it until 1863, when Mr Pinkerton retired from service for a short j time. Whilst in "Washington her experience was varied and startling, she j • having to combat with the whole army of i female spies and secret agents of the j rebels. Always cool, calm, and collected, she managed her part admirably, and her services were of infinite value to the Government. Under Mr Pinkerton" she, in 1865, assumed charge of the female deparment of the secret service at New Orleans, where her natural ability and former experience served to add to her career of usefulness. She undoubtedly ranked as the best female detective in the United States, if not in the world. Though not a member of any Church, her life was ornamented with all Christian graces. Charity was a marked feature, and whether in aiding the hunted contraband, or catering to the sick or wounded in the prison-house, she always left the sufferer indebted to her for a kind word or act. Quick to perceive, and prompt to do, she proved that females are useful in the sphere to which the wants of society have long been loth to assign them. As she lived so she died, a strong, pure, and devoted woman. Her remains lie entombed in the private lot of Mr Pinkerton, in Graceiand Cemetery.