I am thinking of possibly writing a story where the main character becomes a Pinkerton Detective. Does anybody know anything about the Agency and the Agents? Specifically, how does one become a detective for the Pinkertons? I will be doing some research when I have some time and will definitely share what I find. But any help would be appreciated.

I have never heard of The Pinkerton Detective Agency. *Will watch this thread with interest*

From the little bit of research that I have done, it sounds like Allan Pinkerton started his agency in 1850. His agency became well-renowned after he foiled a plot against President Abraham Lincoln. During the Civil War he organized America's first Secret Service.

Pinkerton Agents were known for breaking up strikes, from what I've heard. The other day, while researching the Gilded Age, I read about how they were hired to break up a strike in Andrew Carnegie's mine or factory - I don't remember. Anyway, it got pretty violent, with the Pinkertons holed up in some barges in the river. All the strikers were at the bank; they apparently even tried tossing dynamite into the barges at one point, but it didn't work. The Pinkertons finally surrendered; I think some got beat up afterwards, though. In the whole affair, several Pinkerton agents and several strikers were killed.
Anyway, an interesting tidbit.

That is an interesting fact. Thank you for sharing, Cadenza!

That was very interesting to read! Aren't these historical fact tidbits fascinating!

Aren't they though! Admittedly, that is a wikipedia tidbit, and we all know the reliability of wikipedia. In fact, I think I'll start a wikipedia thread.

Did you progress with this at all, Katharina?

The Pinkerton agency has an oddly mysterious essence in my mind.... I don't much about it directly, but it pops up so many places in so many books I've read. It always has the feeling of being the 'big' detective agency, the one you really don't want after you, the one that you're never sure about.

I am curious about them. I shall do some research on them sometime.

I have not done much with this yet since this book ended up being book 3 in the series and I want to write book #2 first.

Yes, I believe the Pinkertons were a large organization and you certainly did not want to be on their bad side. They were very good at what they did.

One of my favorite books "Spies for the Blue and Grey" and I remember a story about Allan Pinkerton, as well as his involvement with chasing Confederate LADY spies in several other stories I love that book

Ooo! I will have to look that book up. It sounds great! Thank you!