Allan Pinkerton was a Scottish man who moved to the New World in 1842. Not long after his move, he foiled a counterfeiting ring which served as the catalyst for what would become the Pinkerton National Detective Agency. The PNDA was the first to employ female operatives and former slaves who would serve as Union spies against the Confederate army. Its also responsible for the coined term "private eye" and led to what is the modern day secret service agency.
Ronda: Allan Pinkerton made waves with the methods he used to solve crimes and recover stolen goods. He was a revolutionary for his time, using spies and unconventional methods to get results. Follow along as I tell you how the Pinkerton National Detective Agency came about and the many firsts that come along with it. You'll also get to freshen up on a little Civil War history as you listen.
Pam: To dive into one of the many times the Pinkerton National Detective Agency hunted down some crooks... I will be telling you about the world's first ever train robbery. The Reno Gang of the 1860's were some of the toughest men of the Midwest and they weren't afraid to rob anyone which led to them making out with hundreds of thousands of dollars, (millions after inflations) before being stopped by the PNDA.
Sources:
Ronda:
Wikipedia - PNDA
- Allan Pinkerton
Podcast- Unearthed Ep3
Washington Post - Kate Warne
John Scobell - Turning the racism of the Confederacy against itself
Pam:
Wikipedia - Reno Gang
Heroes, Heroines, and History: Worlds First Train Robbery and the Reno Gang
History - Vigilantes Yank Train Robbers From Jail and Hang Them
Big Foot by Gvidon on Pixabay (Go check it out!)
Music: Big Foot by Gvidon on Pixabay (Go check it out!)
