Descriptive Summary
Pinkerton Detective Agency Danbury Fires Investigation Collection1891
MS 020
The language of the materials is English
.5 linear feet (1 box)
Western Connecticut State University
Danbury (Conn.)
Ruth A. Haas Library
The Pinkerton Detective Agency was hired by the City of Danbury from January 9 to February 5, 1891 to help solve a string of arson cases. 18 written reports and statements from citizens, suspects, and politicians as to their general knowledge of the fires are included.
Provenance
Provenance unknown.
Access Restrictions
Open for research without restrictions.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish materials must be obtained in writing from the:
Ruth A. Haas Library
Special Collections and Archives
181 White Street
Danbury, CT 06810
Phone: 203-837-8992
Fax: 203-837-9108
E-mail: stevensb@wcsu.edu
Preferred Citation
Published citations should take the following form:
Identification of item, date (if known); The Pinkerton Detective Agency Danbury Fires Investigation Collection; MS 020; box number; folder number;
Western Connecticut State University Archives
Historical/Biographical Note
From November 1890 to February 1891, Danbury was plagued by a series of fires started by person or persons unknown. The city sought special help outside the Police Department to determine who was responsible for the fires. Agent McM from the Pinkerton Detective Agency was hired by the Joseph M. Ives of the City of Danbury from January 9 to February 5, 1891. Suspects included employees of the Fire Department who were demanding higher salaries at the time.
Scope and Content Note
Agent McM’s 17 handwritten and 1 typescript reports to Jos M. Ives can be found in folders 3 through 19. Individual statements from citizens, suspects, and politicians as to their general knowledge of the fires can be found in folders 1 and 2. Persons providing statements include: Ellwood, John H.; Bradley, David; Meyers, Morris; Ives, Joseph M; Stevens, Howard; McCarty, Patrick; Brady, Terence; Scanlon, James; Davragan, Edward; Bartram, William; Mead, Silas; and Alderman Randale.
Arrangement
Folders are arranged chronologically.
The files are grouped into 1 series.
- Inventory
Access Points
Subject Names:
Ellwood, John H.
Bradley, David.
Meyers, Morris.
Ives, Joseph M.
Stevens, Howard.
McCarty, Patrick.
Brady, Terence.
Scanlon, James.
Davragan, Edward.
Bartram, William.
Mead, Silas.
Subject Organizations:
Pinkerton's National Detective Agency.
Subject Topics:
Arson investigation.
Subject Places:
Danbury (Conn.)
Danbury (Conn.) -- History.
Document Types:
Reports.
Container List
[The following section contains a detailed listing of the materials in the collection.]
Inventory
1
1
Statements: January 1, 15, 16, 17, 18
1891
1
2
Statements: January 21, 22, 26, 31
1891
1
3
Report: January 13
1891
Click to view the first page of the report
1
4
Report: January 13
1891
1
5
Report: January 16
1891
1
6
Report: January 17
1891
1
7
Report: January 19
1891
1
8
Report: January 21
1891
1
9
Report: January 22
1891
1
10
Report: January 14
1891
1
11
Report: January 26
1891
1
12
Report: January 28
1891
1
13
Report: January 30
1891
1
14
Report: January 31
1891
1
15
Report: January 31
1891
1
16
Report: February 3
1891
1
17
Report: February 4
1891
1
18
Report: February 4
1891
1
19
Report: February 5
1891