Who is Kate Warne?

Who is Kate Warne you are thinking? You may even be wondering why you are suppose to care. Well, truth be told, you are not really suppose to I guess. This is an article about the first ever woman Detective, Kate Warne. Seems how I am so fascinated by Private Investigation and detective work I thought it only fitting to do some digging and find out about the first woman to ever be graced with the title P.I.

Kate Warne was said to have walked into the offices of Pinkerton Detective Agency demanding a job. Now this may not seem like a big deal but back in 1856 it was. During those days most women didn't hold jobs so doing something so bold as to walk in and demand one was unheard of. Mrs. Warne didn't just want to be a secretary or do clerical work, she wanted to be a Detective.

It was told that the Pinkerton Detective Agency had just recently placed an ad in a newspaper looking for detectives. Kate saw that ad and went after it. It was also told that one bit of reasoning she used to get the job was explaining how "women are most useful in worming out secrets in many places which would be impossible for a male detective". Source: wikipedia.com

She also said, "a woman would be able to befriend the wives and girlfriends of suspected criminals and gain their confidence. Men become braggarts when they are around women who encourage them to boast. Women have an eye for detail and are excellent observers." Source: wikipedia.com I must say, I completely agree with Mrs. Warne! Even in 1856 she knew how men worked! Men haven't changed much in the past 100+ years!

All in all, everything she said convinced Mr. Pinkerton, and on August 23rd, 1856 Mrs. Kate Warne became the first female Detective. Her skill was soon tested not long after being employed. Kate got a chance to prove her theory about women dealing with men. She was able to gain the confidence and friendship of a wife of a prime suspect in an embezzlement case. Therefore, being able to acquire the evidence needed to put him away for the crime. Kate Warne was fast proving to be invaluable.

It is also told that Kate Warne foiled an attempted assassination plot against then President of the United States, Abraham Lincoln. She was able to provide Mr. Lincoln with disguises and information that lead him safely to his destination. She basically helped smuggle President Lincoln into Washington D.C. safely thus foiling the assassination plot against him.

During the Civil War Kate once again proved that "a woman is most useful in worming out secrets in many places which would be impossible for a male detective". She often posed as Mr. Pinkerton's mistress or wife while undercover. Thus, helping them gather much more needed information than working alone ever could.

Kate Warne continued to work on high profile cases. Mr. Pinkerton eventually named Kate Warne as one of the five best detectives that he has ever had. That day back in 1856 when she so boldly approached him for a detective job proved to be a significant moment in history. One very interesting bit of information: women were not even allowed to be a part of the police force until 1891 and then not a detective until 1903.

All I can say is, Kate Warne, you rocked!

Sources:
http://www.wikimedia.org/wiki/Kate_Warne
http://www.pimall.com/NAIS/pivintage/katewarne