The True Story Of The Baldwin Felts Detective Agency
The Baldwin Felts Detective Agency was one of the most notorious private detective agencies in the United States during the early 20th century. The agency was founded by brothers William and Thomas Baldwin and their brother-in-law, Albert Felts. The agency was known for its aggressive tactics, and it was hired by businesses and corporations to break up labor unions and to investigate workers suspected of union activities.
The Founding of the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency
The Baldwin brothers were born in Virginia in the mid-1800s. William Baldwin served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War and later became a police officer in Richmond, Virginia. Thomas Baldwin worked as a carpenter before joining the police force in Roanoke, Virginia. Albert Felts was a former deputy sheriff in McDowell County, West Virginia.
In 1892, William and Thomas Baldwin founded the Baldwin Detective Agency, which specialized in investigating crimes and providing security services. In 1905, they merged with Albert Felts to form the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency.
The Agency's Role in Labor Conflicts
The Baldwin Felts Detective Agency became known for its work in labor disputes. The agency was hired by companies to break up strikes and to prevent workers from organizing unions. The agency was particularly active in the coal-mining regions of West Virginia, where it was involved in several high-profile conflicts with labor unions.
In 1912, the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency was hired by the Stone Mountain Coal Company to break up a strike by the United Mine Workers of America. The agency used brutal tactics, including the use of machine guns, to intimidate the striking workers. The conflict resulted in the deaths of several workers and the arrest of union leader Mother Jones. The incident became known as the "Paint Creek-Cabin Creek Strike."
The Agency's Role in the Matewan Massacre
One of the most infamous incidents in the history of the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency was its involvement in the Matewan Massacre. In 1920, the agency was hired by the Stone Mountain Coal Company to break up a strike by the United Mine Workers of America in Matewan, West Virginia.
The agency sent 12 detectives to Matewan to evict striking miners from their homes. However, the detectives were met with resistance from the miners and their supporters. A shootout ensued, and seven detectives, two miners, and the town mayor were killed. The incident became known as the Matewan Massacre, and it marked a turning point in the labor movement in the United States.
The Decline of the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency
The Baldwin Felts Detective Agency's controversial tactics and involvement in violent conflicts with labor unions led to public outcry and increased scrutiny from law enforcement agencies. In the 1930s, the agency's power began to wane, and it was eventually dissolved in 1935.
Today, the legacy of the Baldwin Felts Detective Agency is one of controversy and violence. The agency's aggressive tactics and role in suppressing the labor movement in the early 20th century have left a lasting impact on the history of the United States.