She Walked Into History: The Woman Who Saved Lincoln
In 1856, a woman walked into a detective agency—and everyone laughed.
A few years later, she would save President Abraham Lincoln’s life.
Chicago, 1856. Kate Warne, a young widow, stepped into the offices of the Pinkerton Detective Agency and confidently declared, “I’m here for the job.”
Allan Pinkerton was puzzled. “We aren’t hiring secretaries,” he said politely. “We’re looking for detectives.”
“I know,” Kate replied without hesitation. “I’m applying to be one.”
The room fell silent. In 1856, women were not detectives. They didn’t chase criminals, run investigations, or place themselves in danger. Such work was considered improper—unthinkable, even impossible.
Pinkerton began to explain why she could not be hired. Detective work required strength, sharp instincts, and the ability to enter places no respectable woman should ever go.
Kate was ready for this.
“Women can go where men can’t,” she said calmly. “We speak to wives and girlfriends. Men lower their guard around women—they talk too freely, boast, and reveal things they would never admit to another man. And women notice details men often miss.”
Pinkerton stopped. Her reasoning was undeniable. He realized that a woman might bring advantages no man could duplicate.
Against tradition and society’s expectations, Allan Pinkerton made a historic decision. He hired Kate Warne—America’s first female detective.
Kate proved herself immediately. In her first major case, she gained the trust of an embezzler’s wife through kindness and conversation. The woman unknowingly revealed information that led to her husband’s arrest and the recovery of nearly all the stolen money.
In another investigation, Kate disguised herself as a fortune-teller. Convinced she possessed supernatural insight, the suspect confessed his crimes, believing his secrets were safe.
Pinkerton was astonished. Kate wasn’t just capable—she was exceptional. She understood human behavior, mastered disguise, and succeeded where male detectives had failed.
Recognizing her talent, Pinkerton established the Female Detective Bureau—the first of its kind in the United States—and appointed Kate as its supervisor.
Her most important mission, however, was yet to come.
In February 1861, Abraham Lincoln was preparing to travel to Washington, D.C., for his presidential inauguration. The Pinkerton Agency was hired to investigate threats along the railway. What they uncovered was terrifying: a plan to assassinate Lincoln in Baltimore.
Secessionist conspirators intended to kill the president-elect as he passed through the city, believing his death could change the course of the nation.
Pinkerton assigned his best operative to infiltrate the group—Kate Warne.
Disguised as “Mrs. Cherry,” a well-dressed Southern sympathizer, Kate adopted a flawless accent and attended gatherings where the conspirators met. She listened as they discussed their plans, their weapons, and the timing of the attack. She encouraged them to talk—and reported everything.
The danger was immediate.
Pinkerton urged Lincoln to change his travel plans, but Lincoln refused. He would not allow fear to dictate his movements.
With no other option, Pinkerton arranged a secret journey. Lincoln would travel by a different train, in disguise, with Kate Warne protecting him.
On the night of February 22, 1861, Kate and Lincoln boarded a train in Philadelphia. Lincoln wore a simple hat instead of his iconic stovepipe. Kate posed as his companion, deflecting suspicion at every stop.
Through the night they traveled, unnoticed. On the morning of February 23, Abraham Lincoln arrived safely in Washington.
The assassination plot had failed. Kate Warne had saved the president-elect’s life.
During the Civil War, Kate continued her dangerous work, gathering intelligence for the Union while posing as a Confederate supporter. She traveled behind enemy lines, trained other women, and proved that women could excel in espionage—long before the world was ready to accept it.
After the war, she remained head of the Female Detective Bureau. She never remarried. Her work was her
