Mystery
Monday: Pinkerton’s Lady Detectives
Kate Warne was Allan Pinkerton’s first female
detective, but neither was she the last or only woman he hired. Here is a bit
about three of his lady “private eyes.”
Hattie Lewis Lawton: a widow, she was described by
Allan as “delicate and driven.” She often went undercover assuming numerous
identities. One of her most dangerous assignments occurred during the Civil
War. Posing as the wife of fellow operative Timothy Webster, they traveled to
Richmond, VA where they pretended to be Rebel sympathizers from Maryland. Prior
to this Timothy infiltrated the underground Sons of Liberty organization. Over
the course of several months, the pair collected and conveyed information to
the home office about troop movements, battle plans, and other intelligence.
Vinnie Ream: After the plan to assassinate President
Lincoln in Baltimore was unearthed, Allan Pinkerton was placed in charge of the
president’s protection. Rumors of plans abounded, and he investigated every
report. He felt that some of the threats originated from within Lincoln’s
cabinet, so in an effort to get inside the closed circle without suspicion, he
hired Vinnie to sculpt a bust of the president. During her time of creating the
sculpture, senators and congressmen wandered in and out of her work area to
watch her work, giving her the opportunity to overhear conversations that she
passed along to Pinkerton.
Elizabeth Baker: According to Pinkerton, a “genteel
woman agent” who was “more than suitable” for her assignment. He had her
contact two sets of friends she’d known from her days of living in Richmond and
inform them of her intent to visit. She was invited to say with Captain Atwater
of the Confederate Navy and his wife. There, Elizabeth met influential
socialites, Confederate officers, and politically ambitious Southerners. During
the many parties held at the Atwater’s home, she was able to collect vast
amounts of information about the Confederate’s plans. Perhaps her most
important opportunity was the time she was invited to watch a submarine
demonstration. Afterwards, she successfully made her way to Washington where
she reported everything she’d seen and included a sketch of the sub.
Although women were not admitted to any police force
until 1891 or widely accepted as detectives until 1903, Kate Warne and her “Lady
Pinkertons” paved the way for future female officers and investigators.
_______________________________
May 1942: Geneva Alexander flees Philadelphia and joins
the USO to escape the engagement her parents have arranged for her, only to
wind up as the number one suspect in her betrothed’s murder investigation.
Diagnosed with a degenerative eye disease, she must find the real killer before
she loses her sight…or is convicted for a crime she didn’t commit.
Set in the early days of America’s entry into WWII and
featuring cameo appearances from Hollywood stars, Murder of Convenience is a tribute to individuals who served on the
home front, especially those who did so in spite of personal difficulties,
reminding us that service always comes as a result of sacrifice. Betrayal,
blackmail, and a barrage of unanswered questions… Murder of Convenience is the
first the exciting new “Women of Courage” series.
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