Question: Which famous detective bureau was hired by the U.S. government to track down outlaw Jesse James?
Answer: The Pinkerton National Detective Agency was hired to pursue Jesse James and his gang in the 1870s. Known for their aggressive tactics, the Pinkertons were brought in by railroads targeted by the James–Younger Gang. A botched 1875 raid on the James family farm—ordered by the agency—left Jesse’s younger half-brother dead and his mother maimed, sparking public outrage. The failed mission became one of the most infamous episodes in the history of private law enforcement.
