San Francisco County
Biographies
ANDREW
JOSEPH KANE
The extraordinary and singular talents necessary for success in the detective profession have been manifested in many notable criminal cases during the last two decades by Andrew Joseph Kane, of San Francisco, whose headquarters are in the Claus Spreckels building at 703 Market street.
Andrew J. Kane was born January 29, 1889, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, and is a son of Michael and Mary (Gilmore) Kane. He received his education in the public schools of his native state, and since laying aside his text-books has devoted his whole career to detective work, a period now approaching the quarter century mark. Since the year 1910, he has been the owner and chief of the A. J. Kane Detective Agency, with headquarters in San Francisco, and with affiliations in all the large American cities. Mr. Kane is a deputy sheriff in nineteen California counties, a member of the San Francisco police department, and the only private detective ever appointed special agent by the governor of California. He has been instrumental in solving many crimes of national interest, and important in the criminal annals of the state. A few of special significance may be mentioned herewith. He captured the notorious Theodore Banta, driver of an armored car for the Crocker National Banks, who absconded with twenty-six thousand dollars of the banks’ funds. Two other private detective agencies had failed in the case, when Mr. Kane assumed charge in 1919. He apprehended two of the remaining five members of the “30-Strong” bandit gang, after they had shot the president of the Alvarado Bank during the course of a noontime hold-up. In this case, his sole clue was a green roadster, the license number of which was unknown. He solved the so called “perfect crime” committed by Charles Schwartz, Oakland chemist, who was apparently killed by an explosion which wrecked his plant. Mr. Kane proved that the dead man was not Schwartz and that the crime was a too perfect insurance hoax. Schwartz immediately became the object of a man-hunt over the entire coast, and was found by Mr. Kane a few hours before he committed suicide in 1925. There was the case of Baldwin Wood, San Francisco business man, who disappeared after squandering in unwise investments his own fortune and the sum of six hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars belonging to his wife, mother, mother-in-law, and sister. Mr. Kane prevented the suicide of Baldwin when he was found, but he later succeeded in taking his own life. This case also occurred in 1925.
On September 9, 1923, Mr. Kane was united in marriage to Phoebe Priscilla Raudebaugh, of San Francisco, and they now make their home at 580 Geary street in this city.
To the republican party, Mr. Kane has customarily given his political support. He is a member of the Association of American Detective Agencies; the National Bureau of Identification; and the International Sheriffs & Peace Officers Association. His cooperation has invariably been obtainable in affairs of San Francisco of merit in the development of the city. He has observed in masterful manner the ethics of his distinctive profession, and has made numerous friends during the years he has been active in this city. He holds the intimate confidence of many prominent individuals and corporations, and has never been known to break a trust or violate the faith of his clients.
Transcribed by: Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
Source: Byington, Lewis Francis, “History of
San Francisco 3 Vols”, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co.,
Chicago, 1931. Vol. 2 Pages 361-363.
© 2007 Jeanne Sturgis Taylor.
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