History Spotlight
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May 2023
May 20, 2023
The U.S. Postal Inspection Service in WWII
During World War II, more than 225 Postal Inspectors were drafted or enlisted to serve in the Armed Forces. But that didn’t stop the Inspection Service from carrying out its’ important mission.
LEARN MOREMay 13, 2023
APO and Military Mail History
Postal Inspectors helped create the Army Post Office system during WWI to ensure soldiers received their mail. While minor adjustments are made for the location of conflict, the APO system is still used to deliver military mail today.
LEARN MOREMay 6, 2023
William “Bill” Kenyon
William Kenyon had a long history with the Postal Service. Starting as a young man cleaning mail bags, Kenyon would proceed to become a highly respected Postal Inspector and organizer of the Army Postal Offices during WWI.
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April 2023
April 29, 2023
David B. Parker
When mail service became unreliable during the Civil War, Lieutenant D.B. Parker ensured his soldiers’ vital communications were delivered. Parker would go on to become a Postal Inspector and a pioneer in the Bell Telephone Company.
LEARN MOREApril 22, 2023
Allan Pinkerton
Allan Pinkerton created on of the most successful security and detective agencies in the world, but before he did this, he was a Postal Inspector.
LEARN MOREApril 8, 2023
Rondout Train Robbery
The DeAutremont brothers robbed a mail train in 1923 known as the “Last Great Train Robbery.” However, the largest and most lucrative train robbery in the U.S. actually took place the following year in Rondout, Illinois.
LEARN MOREApril 1, 2023
Weird Postal Inspection History
Postal Inspectors have been investigating mail crimes for a long time. From mail-eating cows to hypnotizing thieves, they have seen all sorts of strange cases over the years.
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March 2023
March 25, 2023
Stagecoach Robber Implicated by His Own Diary
The 1870s and 1880s were plagued by stagecoach, mail, and bank robberies. In a vast and growing country, criminals were often able to escape. ham White, however, had documented proof of his crimes when captured in 1877.
LEARN MOREMarch 18. 2023
Today’s Women of the Inspection Service
Women have long played support roles with the Postal Inspection Service, but it wasn’t until 1971 that the first female was appointed a Postal Inspector. Coincidently, that year was when the Security Force was established – and included women in the first class. Today, women from all backgrounds can be found in every position at the United States Postal Inspection Service.
LEARN MOREMarch 11, 2023
Kate “Ma” Barker
After being abandoned by her husband of 35 years, Kate “Ma” Barker encouraged her sons’ criminal lifestyle and became the mastermind of the infamous Barker-Karpis gang of Chicago.
LEARN MOREMarch 3, 2023
Women in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service
While the Postal Inspection Service has long been inclusive, it wasn’t until 1971 that women were appointed to the position of Postal Inspector. When the first women joined, they were among the first employed as federal agents in any U.S. agency.
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February 2023
February 25, 2023
The Green Book
Victor H. Green, a letter carrier & WWI veteran, created a travel guide to help African Americans travel safely during the Jim Crow era. The “Green Book” was updated regularly from 1936 to 1967 & helped thousands during its publication.
LEARN MOREFebruary 18, 2023
African Americans in the Inspection Service
Postal Inspectors have a proud history of hiring talented individuals of all backgrounds. This Black History Month, we turn our attention to some of the influential African American figures in our agency’s history
LEARN MOREFebruary 11, 2023
The Ages of Fraud Part 2
Like putting old wine in a new bottle, the same scams have reappeared in new forms as technology has progressed. But Postal Inspectors are keen to adapt to scammers’ changing methods.
LEARN MOREFebruary 4 , 2023
The Ages of Fraud Part 1
The Mail Fraud Statute of 1872 gave Postal Inspectors the ability to prosecute scammers. This led to several time periods that saw different kinds of fraud & the downfall of criminals, such as Charles Ponzi & Joseph “Yellow Kid” Weil.
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January 2023
January 28, 2023
History of Mail Fraud Statute
Since the birth of the Postal Service, scammers have tried to abuse the mail system in order to make a quick buck. Congress passed the Mail Fraud Statute in 1872, making it illegal to use the mail in any attempt to defraud or scam someone.
LEARN MOREJanuary 21, 2023
“Black Hand Gang”
For more than 20 years, the Black Hand Gang terrorized citizens across the country with threatening letters of violence, murder, and extortion. But their threats didn’t intimidate the Postal Inspectors.
LEARN MOREJanuary 15, 2023
“Boy Wonder” of Forgery
After a decade of forgery & fraud, Jerome Poster intentionally blinded himself in order to stop. But even blindness couldn’t keep him from a life of crime.
LEARN MOREJanuary 7, 2023
First Postal Surveyors
Before modern roads, Postal Surveyors had to find the safest & most efficient routes to transport the mail. These Surveyors laid the foundation for today’s Postal Service and the Inspection Service.
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