The Mississippi River has for many years--more especially since the close of the war--been infested by a class of men who never would try to get an honest living, but would prey upon their neighbors or attack the property of southern railroads and express companies; these marauders could be seen any day prowling along the banks of the Mississippi, in fact, the shores and immediate neighborhood were peopled by just such a class, who cared not how they obtained a living; for the crimes they committed, they often suffered infinitely worse punishment, more so than any suffering which could have been entailed on them from leading a poor but honest life. The story of the "MISSISSIPPI OUTLAWS AND THE DETECTIVES" is written to illustrate incidents which took place in the southern section of the country at no very remote date. "DON PEDRO AND THE DETECTIVES" is another story of detective experience, which came under my own observation and management; it is a truthful narrative, and shows that some men are worse than known criminals, and can squander the money they have obtained by false pretenses, in a very lavish manner. "THE POISONER AND THE DETECTIVES" is a well-known bit of detective experience, which, when read, will be recognized by any one who ever takes an interest in crime, and the bringing to justice its perpetrators. The reader must remember that fictitious names are used in all of these stories, otherwise the facts are plainly and truthfully told as they occurred. ALLAN PINKERTON. _April, 1879._ THE MISSISSIPPI OUTLAWS AND THE DETECTIVES. CHAPTER I. _A daring Express Robbery.--Mr. Pinkerton appealed to.--Cane-brakes and cane-fed People.--Annoying Delays and Amateur Detectives._ The southern and border states, since the close of the war of the rebellion, have been the frequent scenes of extensive and audacious robberies. This has been largely owing to the sparsely-settled condition of certain districts, to the disorder and lawlessness generated by the war, and to the temptations offered by the carelessness of many persons having large sums intrusted to their care in transit through lonely and desolate localities.