William and his brother, Allan, are probably best known for relentlessly pursuing gangs of “hold-up” men in the American West. Pinkerton National Detective Agency had offices all over the country, with its headquarters in Chicago. They actively chased bandits across the country and led the group that chased and finally captured the James and Younger gangs. They are also renowned for disprupting labor’s efforts to unionize. Lot of two TLSs. Both letters are to Will Davis, Sr. in Chicago. The first letter, dated February 21, 1917 reads, in part: “I, too have been ill with an attack of intestinal indigestion, which put me out of commission for 10 days…It has been raining and is gloomy here and I will be glad when I get away. I will leave here on Saturday for New Orleans. The second TLS is long and chatty. In part: “Thank you for dropping the title of ‘Colonel.’ So many people have tried to dub a thing of that kind on me when I am not entitled to it that has just grown a little irksome with me….I had a pleasant visit at Los Angeles…the day after my arrival, we had an earth quake experience. I was in the elevator coming down when it stopped and shook violently. I thought the cables had broken and we were to have a fall. I learned we had been through an earth quake shock, and believe me, it was some shaking up.” Accompanied by a vintage postcard photo of Pinkerton atop a horse. In fine condition with letter folds. R&R COA.
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