Rogue's Gallery, The Next Round of the Wanted Poster by Denise M. Colby

The Original Wanted Poster

In the Old West (1700 to early 1800’s) the wanted poster communicated to local lawmen that a criminal was at large. They were issued by sheriffs, state officials, or the military. Possibly with a drawing or description, unless you knew details, it made it difficult to track them down.

These bulletins didn’t go out to the public or were posted publicly. There were a tool used by local law enforcement in all sizes of towns and cities. They shared this information by mail or stagecoach (pony express too), and later by telegraph or wire and would be reproduced locally (especially if it was urgent).

With the invention of the railroad (and with it railway robbers) they too would send out bulletins, or hire agencies such as the Pinkerton Detective Agency (because if they couldn’t keep their passengers safe, who would want to ride a train?).

 

Rogue's Gallery - A New Improved Version

In 1855, Allan Pinkerton saw a need and created the The Rogue’s Gallery. It incorporated an actual photograph of the person along with more specific details. A step up from the original wanted poster.

They images were made with cheap photography mounted on card stock to capture what the criminals looked like, making it easier to identify them. Many of these criminals were bank robbers, railroad bandits, and other more localized criminals. These images were distributed to sheriffs throughout the west in a booklet.

By 1870, the agency had built the largest collection of mugshots in the world. (Although the term mugshot wasn’t used until later). The Rogue’s Gallery included a card on the back of the photograph that had detailed information related to physical descriptions, methods of how the rogue operated, hiding places, and any associates of the criminals. It might list distinguishing marks on the person, aliasas, and much more.

It was the most extensive early database around. By 1895, the Rogue’s gallery had grown to over 1500 photographs.

 

Examples of Rogue's Gallery 

I found this picture online of a printed book that was up for auction. It shows how a book looked, and gave an idea of how it could be distributed.

 

I also found a photograph of a permanent fixture In New York City, where they mounted on large wooden boards all the cards, similar to how one would look through posters at a store to purchase.

The website page where I found it is called The Rogue’s Gallery.

Reference to the Rogue's Gallery

In my book, A Whole New Plan, the local sheriff of Washton has the cards from the Rogue’s Gallery up on the wall and Lydia points out one of the criminals listed there as the person who she is trying to capture. She then shares she’s a part of the Pinkerton Agency. It was a fun way to put in this tidbit of history.

Book 4 in the Best-laid Plans Series releases May 26, 2026

California, 1870. Pastor William Baker built his life on steady faith and safe choices, but the arrival of Lydia Spencer upends everything. Independent and outspoken Lydia is unlike any woman he’s ever known. Lydia is a Pinkerton detective, undercover as a schoolteacher while tracking a dangerous crime boss. She’s determined to protect her friends in Washton even if it means keeping her distance from the kind, steadfast pastor who sees too much. But when Will and Lydia are thrown together in a search for truth they find themselves fighting not only for justice, but for a future neither had planned.

Denise M. Colby writes historical romance sweetened with faith, hope, and love. She finds history fascinating and contemplates often how it was to live in the 1800's. Her debut novel, When Plans Go Awry, is a 2025 Carol Award finalist. Sign up for her newsletter at www.denisemcolby.com or follow Denise on Facebook, Instagram, Bookbub, Pinterest, or GoodReads.

Kate Warne, Pinkerton Detective

By Nancy J. Farrier

 

Allan Pinkerton
Wikimedia Commons 

The Pinkerton Detective Agency, founded in 1850, often struck fear in the hearts of criminals. Allan Pinkerton started his agency to ferret out crimes that regular law enforcement didn’t have time or resources to solve. The Pinkerton men were famous for their detective skills, along with other talents for stopping strikes and finding information.

 

But not all were men. In 1856, Kate Warne, a twenty-three-year old widow walked into Allan Pinkerton’s office to apply for a job she’d seen listed in the paper. Pinkerton thought she was there for a clerical position, but she quickly informed him she wanted to be a detective.

 

Kate Warne
Chicago History Museum 

Pinkerton asked Warne what she thought she could do as a detective and she proceeded to convince him of the value of a woman in his agency. She pointed out that a woman could go undercover, becoming a friend to wives or family members of suspects and gather valuable information unavailable to the men in the agency. Pinkerton hired her on the spot.

 

In his book, The Spy of the Rebellion (1883), Pinkerton wrote that Warne was a “commanding person, with clear cut, expressive features ... a slender, brown-haired woman, graceful in her movements and self-possessed.” He went on to say she had the type of face that would make others choose her as a confidante. And she lived up to that assessment. 

 

In 1858, Pinkerton engaged Warne’s help in solving an embezzlement case. Kate became a confidante of the wife and acquired evidence of the husband’s guilt. She not only found that evidence, but she also found out where the embezzled funds were hidden. With Warne’s help, nearly $40,000 were recovered.

 

Perhaps the biggest case Kate Warne helped with was the first assassination plot against then President-Elect Abraham Lincoln. Warne was one of several assigned to find out details of the suspected plot. She went undercover as a Southern belle, complete with the accent and attitudes common among that set of women. 

 

Warne infiltrated secessionist meetings in Baltimore and the surrounding area. She was able to gather details here and there and piece together the plot. Abraham Lincoln would be traveling from Illinois to Washington DC by train to arrive for his inauguration. The plan was to trap him when he would have to travel one mile by city streets from one train to the next in Baltimore, Maryland.

 

Allan Pinkerton, Seated
Kate Warne, Standing
Wikimedia Commons

Warne brought the plan to Pinkerton, who then met with Lincoln and other key figures. At first Lincoln didn’t believe them, but when they laid out the gathered evidence, he agreed to take precautions. 

 

The new plan included Lincoln traveling part of the way as himself and then ducking out and going the rest of the way in disguise. He became an invalid traveling with his caretaker and sister, Kate Warne. No one suspected a thing and Warne was able to get Lincoln safely to Washington DC for his inauguration. It is said she stayed awake the whole night to watch over Lincoln and ensure his safety, thus adding the words “we never sleep” to the Pinkerton logo.

Pinkerton National Detective Agency Logo
Wikimedia Commons

Warne went on to solve many cases, befriending the wives of suspected murderers and once posing as a fortune teller. Pinkerton hired more women and put her in charge of the women detectives of the Pinkerton agency. 

 

Warne died in 1868 of pneumonia and was laid to rest in the Pinkerton family plot. Her name was misspelled as Warn. Pinkerton liked her so much he accorded her this honor. Her obituary in the Democratic Enquirer stated, “She was a marked woman amongst her sex, with a large, active brain, great mental power, and excellent judge of character, and possessed of a strong, active vitality…” 

 

Have you ever heard of Kate Warne. She has been depicted in a few movies and mentioned in television episodes, but her name is largely unknown. I admire her spunk and determination.

Nancy J Farrier is an award-winning author who lives in Southern Arizona in the Sonoran Desert. She loves the Southwest with its interesting historical past. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play with her cats, and spend time with her family. You can read more about Nancy and her books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.