National Negro Detective Agency Badge
Q. J. Gilmore- 1920's

We are happy to report that Ben Harroll, founder of the PI Museum in California; has found and done research on the above badge which is a substantial contribution to the history of private investigation as well as to black history. Here is Mr. Harroll's research so far on this highly important badge....

Quincy J. Gilmore was Traveling Secretary for the famous Kansas City Monarchs baseball club. The years 1920 thru 1942 were a remarkable time for the Negro National League and Mr. Gilmore. The 1st Negro Leagues World Series was won by the Kansas City Monarchs in the year of 1924.

For a much fuller treatment of the life and times of Quincy J. Gilmore you can use Google to find the article (7th link) under Grassroots Editor, A Journal For Newspeople/International Society Of Weekly Newspaper Editors, Written By Jason Berger. This article mentions the only known book to discuss in detail the story of Quincy J. Gilmore who arrived in Kansas City, MO in 1918 and is believed to have died there either in 1946 or 1948. The book is called The Kansas City Monarchs: Champions of Black Baseball (1985) By Janet Bruce.

On behalf of the P.I. Museum and all Private Investigators who value and support the preservation of our own P.I. History I've begun a search for more definitive proof that this badge was, in fact, connected with Quincy J. Gilmore of the Kansas City Monarchs and the well known Negro National League.

The PBS Television Program called The History Detectives welcomes stories just like this one. Therefore, I submitted our National Negro Detective Agency badge story to them with the request that they help determine if this badge was, in fact, connected with Quincy J. Gilmore of the Kansas City Monarchs (1920 - 1942) of the Negro National League. If this turns out to be the case then we have both an actual relic or historic treasure and artifact from both P.I. History and Black Baseball.

Ben Harroll and the PI Museum is now a non-profit organization doing a very good job to preserve the history of private investigation. We urge you to join in with their efforts by contacting him. The PI Museum now has memberships. For more information, contact:

Ben Harroll
PI Museum And
Gaslamp Quarter Investigations
P.I. Museum Founder & Curator
923 Island Avenue
San Diego, CA 92101

619.239.6991 Voice
619.239.6992 Fax

Email: benharroll@cox.net
Web site:http://www.pimuseum.com

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