6. The Role of Pinkerton Detectives
To combat sabotage and protect their interests, railroad companies turned to the Pinkerton Detective Agency. Pinkerton agents were hired to infiltrate labor unions, guard railroad property, and uncover plots of sabotage or theft. Their presence often intensified hostilities, as workers viewed them as tools of oppression and rivals as formidable adversaries. The Pinkertons’ covert operations and aggressive tactics left a lasting imprint on the era’s labor and business conflicts. Read more about their controversial role at FBI History.
