American History Tellers

The Pinkerton Detective Agency | Brothers and Sons | 2

5 snips
May 15, 2024
The podcast explores the rise of Pinkerton Detective Agency in the 1800s, from crime-fighting to labor dispute involvement. It delves into the agency's controversial tactics, including labor spying and strike-breaking. The Pinkertons' aggressive methods attracted scrutiny and led to violent clashes during strikes and investigations.
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ANECDOTE

Deadly Clash with James Gang

  • Pinkerton agents pursued the James-Younger gang aggressively after they killed two agents in 1874.
  • A raid on the James family home accidentally killed a boy and injured his mother, stirring public sympathy for the gang.
ANECDOTE

Undercover with the Molly Maguires

  • Pinkerton detective James McParland infiltrated the Molly Maguires in Pennsylvania coal mines.
  • He narrowly survived suspicion and an informal trial by the secretive Irish labor group.
INSIGHT

Shift from Detectives to Guards

  • The Pinkertons evolved from criminal investigation to providing protective guards for companies.
  • This shift introduced two agency tiers and changed their public role to enforcers in labor disputes.
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