Pinkerton - stories

[Flockalicious]

In searching for something unrelated, I cam across this site with a lot of free ebooks:

http://www.gutenberg.org/wiki/Main_Page

I noticed this book on the front page that looks to be an interesting read if not a good source of scenarios!  It's a book by Allan Pinkerton from 1879.  (I know what I'm doing on my lunch hour this week)

link to the book downloads (in many different formats...onling HTML, text, ipad, epub, etc.):

http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/35686

Here's the preface to wet your whsitle!

PREFACE.


In presenting to the public another volume of my detective stories, I
would call the attention of the reader to the fact, that these stories
are literally written from facts and incidents which have come under my
own observation, or been worked up by officers acting directly under my
instructions.

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.

[Leetje]

Added to my IPad for reading!  Thanks for bringing to my attention such an amazing resource :-)

[leadfool]

I get modern Pinkerton stories about once a week when I have lunch with a current Pinkerton agent, my brother.
The agency still exists and maintains agents around the world.

[Bugsda]

I get modern Pinkerton stories about once a week when I have lunch with a current Pinkerton agent, my brother.
The agency still exists and maintains agents around the world.

Get away! Is that a fact? Brilliant bit of ongoing history, but are there still disaffected confederates robbing trains out there? 

I'll be downloading this, it's just what I need. Cheers 

[Galloping Major]

Thanks for posting 



www.gallopingmajorwargames.com

[Flockalicious]

Do they still suppress protesting laborers?

 

(no disrespect to your brother intended...I just could resist the general jab)

[leadfool]

Mostly they do bodyguard work, corporate investigations, corporate security checks and the occasional mass layoff.

As an example, On April fools day, the security around various Chevron and other facilities has to be hightened.  There are radical anti development and extreme envirornmental groups that will attack on that day known as Fossil Fools day.  The attacks have been on the homes of oil company execs, their kids, their cars, etc.  Not so much violent as destructive.  So for a few days before and after, Chevron employs a bunch of extra help, from Pinkerton.  It adds to your gas prices at the pump. 

The investigations involve things like trademark infringement, manufacture of "fake" products, etc.  There is actually a big problem with Mexican coca-cola coming into California.  Mexican coke (not cocaine) is made with cane sugar and tastes different.  It is more familiar to some people and therefore popular with them.  California law makes it illegal to sell bottles that have lead paint on them.  Mexico does not have those rules.  Mexican coke comes in bottles that just say "Coca-Cola" on them but in lead paint.  So the US distibutors get fined (heavily) when those bottles turn up in recycle centers.  The cola from Mexico is not supposed to be imported, but somehow does.  Not a big deal to the Drug enforcement administration or similar agencies.  However a big deal to Coca-cola.  Hence the ongoing corporate investigation as to who is importing the product illegally.  Pinkerton finds them, Coke sues them, they stop, the market demand begins again, and someone new brings more in, and the process starts all over. Sort of like bootlegging.

Pinkerton has been around for a long time, but they will remind you they were NOT working that night at Fords's Theatre

[Bugsda]

Cheers Leadfool, I'd never have guessed.

I'm going to think about doing a more modern Pinkerton crew, maybe for KKBB or Street Violance

[leadfool]

Pinkerton also does security for tv camera crews in far off lands.  The most recent hard to find language was Haitan French.

Pinkerton has a well deserved bad reputation for Union busting in the 1880-s to 1920s.  They weren't the only nor the worst dectective agency doing it but they were nothing to write home about.  They cleaned up their act in the 40s.  But that was always only part of their schtick. 

The amazing thing is that there have never been that many full time employees.  Almost all contract employees, ex-cops, FBI, or retired cops etc. looking to supplement their retirement.  There are agents in many international large cities, Moscow, Paris, London etc. and many American medium cities.  Sacramento has one just because it is the state capital and well there has been one since 1851 or so.