PINKERTONS Ep. 3 | “James McParland: A Murder in Idaho”

Summary

Legends of the Old West: PINKERTONS Ep. 3 | “James McParland: A Murder in Idaho”

Release Date: August 6, 2025
Host: Black Barrel Media

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1. Introduction to James McParland and the Stunenberg Assassination

The episode opens in early 1906 with James McParland, a seasoned Pinkerton detective, arriving in Boise, Idaho. McParland, once renowned for infiltrating the Molly Maguires, had transitioned into a managerial role within the Pinkerton Detective Agency. However, his yearning for active fieldwork led him to tackle the high-profile assassination case of Frank Stunenberg, the former governor of Idaho.

Chris Wimmer [02:03]: "Though he was no longer the lean, physically fit Irishman who participated in brawls and riots with the Molly Maguires, James McParland's mind was as sharp as ever."

2. The Assassination of Frank Stunenberg

On December 30, 1905, Frank Stunenberg was assassinated in Caldwell, Idaho. As he approached his home, an explosion at the gate propelled him violently, resulting in fatal injuries. The incident sent shockwaves through the community, prompting Governor Frank Gooding to issue a substantial reward for the capture of the perpetrator.

Chris Wimmer [04:34]: "Shortly after the explosion, three doctors were by Stunenberg's side and attending to his injuries. Unfortunately, Stunenberg's condition was fatal."

3. Initial Investigation and the Arrest of Tom Hogan/Harry Orchard

The investigation swiftly focused on a suspect named Tom Hogan, who exhibited suspicious behavior and had inconsistencies in his story. Further probing revealed that Hogan was, in fact, Harry Orchard, wanted for previous bombings in Colorado. This revelation seemed to cement the case against Orchard, but suspicions lingered about a broader conspiracy involving the Western Federation of Miners (WFM).

Chris Wimmer [05:48]: "As it turned out, Tom Hogan was not the man's real name. He was known around the region as Harry Orchard and was wanted for bombings in Colorado."

4. McParland's Strategy to Crack the Case

Governor Gooding sought McParland's expertise to unravel the complexities surrounding Orchard's involvement. McParland devised a plan to isolate Orchard psychologically, believing that solitude and the threat of death would compel him to reveal the truth about his co-conspirators.

Chris Wimmer [08:32]: "McParland had his way. Now all he had to do was wait for Harry Orchard to get scared enough to tell him everything."

5. Attempting to Convince Orchard to Cooperate

McParland's approach involved conditioning Orchard through psychological tactics, drawing parallels to the Molly Maguires and emphasizing the potential for leniency if Orchard cooperated. This strategy eventually led to Orchard agreeing to assist the prosecution, naming key figures within the WFM.

Chris Wimmer [14:20]: "Was talking to the dastardly detective himself."

6. Building the Conspiracy Case Against WFM Leaders

With Orchard's confession implicating WFM leaders like Charles Moyer and Big Bill Haywood, McParland and his team intensified their efforts to apprehend these influential figures. Their strategy included spreading misinformation to lull the targets into a false sense of security, making arrests swift and preemptive.

Chris Wimmer [16:45]: "McParland carefully constructed a scheme to get the suspects from Colorado to Idaho."

7. Defense Countermeasures and Legal Challenges

The defense, led by the formidable Clarence Darrow, mounted a robust opposition against McParland's case. Allegations of illegal detentions and the introduction of character witnesses aimed to dismantle the prosecution's narrative. Despite McParland's efforts, the legal battles culminated in the acquittal of key WFM leaders.

Chris Wimmer [25:47]: "Clarence Darrow had been unable to secure Steve Adams' freedom, Edmund Richardson, the WFM's lead counsel, chose to take point for the big trials."

8. McParland's Setbacks and the Undermining of the Prosecution

The prosecution faced significant setbacks, including the release of key witnesses and the inability to secure convictions against WFM leadership. McParland's tactics were scrutinized, and internal betrayals within the Pinkerton agency further eroded the case's integrity.

Chris Wimmer [27:32]: "At the end of July, they acquitted Bill Haywood, much to the chagrin of McParland and the prosecutors."

9. McParland's Decline and Legacy

Ultimately, the Stunenberg case ended in frustration for McParland, leaving him disheartened by the inability to dismantle the WFM's leadership. Despite his failures in this high-profile case, McParland's earlier achievements cemented his reputation as one of America's foremost private detectives. His methods and legacy continued to influence popular culture and future investigative practices.

Narrator [28:22]: "James McParland was disheartened by the Stunenberg case. The losses in court were bad, but he was just as concerned about his failure to plant undercover agents as witnesses in the defense's case."

Conclusion

The episode meticulously chronicles James McParland's relentless pursuit of justice in the aftermath of Frank Stunenberg's assassination. While McParland's strategies showcased his expertise and determination, the intricate interplay of legal defenses, internal betrayals, and the resilience of the WFM ultimately undermined his efforts. Nonetheless, McParland's enduring legacy as a legendary Pinkerton detective remains a testament to his significant role in shaping the narrative of the American West.

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Notable Quotes:

• Chris Wimmer [02:03]: "Though he was no longer the lean, physically fit Irishman who participated in brawls and riots with the Molly Maguires, James McParland's mind was as sharp as ever."

• Chris Wimmer [04:34]: "Shortly after the explosion, three doctors were by Stunenberg's side and attending to his injuries. Unfortunately, Stunenberg's condition was fatal."

• Chris Wimmer [05:48]: "As it turned out, Tom Hogan was not the man's real name. He was known around the region as Harry Orchard and was wanted for bombings in Colorado."

• Chris Wimmer [14:20]: "Was talking to the dastardly detective himself."

• Chris Wimmer [25:47]: "Clarence Darrow had been unable to secure Steve Adams' freedom, Edmund Richardson, the WFM's lead counsel, chose to take point for the big trials."

• Chris Wimmer [27:32]: "At the end of July, they acquitted Bill Haywood, much to the chagrin of McParland and the prosecutors."

• Narrator [28:22]: "James McParland was disheartened by the Stunenberg case. The losses in court were bad, but he was just as concerned about his failure to plant undercover agents as witnesses in the defense's case."

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This comprehensive summary encapsulates the key events, strategies, challenges, and outcomes of James McParland's investigation into Frank Stunenberg's assassination. Through clear sections and notable quotes, it provides an engaging overview for those unfamiliar with the episode.

Transcript

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[Chris Wimmer]

10, 1906, a train pulled into the station in Boise, Idaho. A man stepped onto the platform with a cane tucked under his arm. He was heavyset, middle aged and had a thick mustache. Though he was no longer the lean, physically fit Irishman who were participated in brawls and riots with the Molly Maguires, James McParland's mind was as sharp as ever. It had been 30 years since McParland infiltrated the Molly Maguires. Since then, McParland's career had skyrocketed and he was now one of the most.

[Narrator]

Famous private detectives in the United States. But for the past two decades, McParlin's role with the Pinkerton Detective Agency was more management than investigation. In 1888, he was put in charge of the Denver office And he helped make it into one of the most prolific detective offices in the West. But after years of spending the majority of his time sitting behind a desk or networking with influential people, McParland craved action. He wanted to get back in the field to do some real detective work. That was why he ventured to Boise, Idaho to help crack a high profile murder. Eleven days earlier, on December 30, 1905, a man named Frank Stunenberg went about his business in Caldwell, Idaho. Stunenberg was the former governor of Idaho, the fourth in the state's history. He had left office in 1900, but friends and neighbors still referred to him as governor. And At a towering 6 foot 2, Stunenberg walked around like a man who still commanded authority. December 30th was a cold day with temperatures hovering around 0 degrees Fahrenheit. But that didn't stop Stunenberg from finishing up some year end tasks such as renewing his life insurance policy before the New year. By nightfall, Stunenberg had finished his errands and was walking home. At around 6pm Stunenberg reached the gate to his house at 1602 Dearborn St.

[Chris Wimmer]

He drew back the latch and pulled open the gate door.

[Narrator]

An explosion shattered the gate and threw Stunnenberg 10ft in the air. He landed in a charred heap, gasping for breath. His ears were ringing as blood ran down the sides of his head.

[Chris Wimmer]

Both of his legs were broken, his.

[Narrator]

Chest was crushed and he was covered in burns.

[Chris Wimmer]

Shortly after the explosion, three doctors were.

[Narrator]

By Stunenberg's side and attending to his injuries. Unfortunately, Stunenberg's condition was fatal. Within 20 minutes of the explosion, 44.

[Chris Wimmer]

Year old Frank Stunenberg passed away.

[Narrator]

The assassination of Frank Stunenberg was a local sensation. Everyone wanted to know who had committed such a brazen act of violence against a former governor.

[Chris Wimmer]

Within hours, current governor Frank Gooding shut down Caldwell to prevent the killer from.

[Narrator]

Escaping and issued a $25,000 reward for anyone who could catch the culprit. A sheriff's posse rounded up anyone who seemed like a suspicious out of towner. Among those arrested was a man who introduced himself as as Tom Hogan.

[Chris Wimmer]

Hogan claimed that he wasn't a total stranger.

[Narrator]

He'd come to Caldwell on a number of occasions for business. But subsequent questioning revealed inconsistencies in his story. He couldn't keep straight whether he was in town to buy livestock or land or both.

[Chris Wimmer]

And when the sheriff searched his hotel room, the sheriff found traces of gunpowder and plaster of Paris. On New Year's Day 1906, Hogan was formally charged with murder.

[Narrator]

As it turned out, Tom Hogan was not the man's real name. He was known around the region as Harry Orchard and was wanted for bombings in Colorado. It seemed to be an open and shut case. But as the days went by, some in the Idaho government were convinced that Orchard didn't act alone.

[Chris Wimmer]

Idaho authorities needed help cracking the conspiracy. They needed James McParland. From Black Barrel Media, this is Legends.

[Narrator]

Of the Old West.

[Chris Wimmer]

I'm your host, Chris Wimmer.

[Narrator]

And this season we're focusing on the famous Pinkerton detective agency and two of.

[Chris Wimmer]

Its most famous operatives, James McParland and Charlie Siringo.

[Narrator]

This is episode three, James McParland part three.

[Chris Wimmer]

A murder in Idaho. James McParland greeted Idaho's chief justice at the train station, and they went to.

[Narrator]

A meeting with Governor Frank Gooding to discuss the investigation. It was in a messy state. Agents from the Thiel Detective Agency handled.

[Chris Wimmer]

The initial investigation, but McParland didn't want.

[Narrator]

To share the case with a competitor.

[Chris Wimmer]

Governor Gooding agreed they'd pass everything to McParland and the Pinkertons. But they needed to move fast. Harry Orchard wasn't going away without a fight. There was a lawyer coming to Idaho to represent him. Paid for by the Western Federation of miners, the WFM was founded in 1893 from the remains of a failed labor strike in the Idaho Panhandle. Over the past 13 years, the union earned a reputation for militant actions. And the fact that the WFM was sending a lawyer to defend Harry Orchard.

[Narrator]

Seemed to confirm something that many already.

[Chris Wimmer]

Frank Stunenberg's assassination was a plot by the WFM. In 1899, Stunenberg had made an enemy of organized labor when he mobilized the National Guard against union members to to resolve a dispute. The wave of unlawful arrests was seen as a betrayal by his working class supporters. James McParland's team needed to get to Harry Orchard before the WFM did. They wanted to build a conspiracy case, but all they had was one man. That was James McParland's challenge. He needed to get Orchard to cooperate. McParland suggested they move Orchard to an isolated cell on death row. The pretense was to prevent any allies from springing Orchard from prison. But the real reason was psychological. McParland believed that if Orchard were isolated for long enough and contemplating a walk to the gallows, he'd be much easier to convince to cooperate. It seemed like a smart idea to Governor Gooding and the Chief Justice. However, McParland's proposal was irregular and maybe even illegal. Orchard had yet to be tried or convicted of a crime. In order to make the transfer happen, they needed the cooperation of the presiding judge. McParland, having learned from his time glad handing politicians in Denver had a plan for that as well. On January 12, McParland met with Governor Gooding and Judge Frank Smith at McParland's hotel suite, and they discussed what to do with Orchard. McParland laid out his reasons for wanting to isolate and intimidate Orchard. Judge Smith seemed swayed by McParland's argument, but still balked at the illegality of the maneuver. The judge pointed out that if someone issued a writ of habeas corpus, there'd be no way to justify the treatment of Orchard. At a pause in the conversation, Governor Gooding excused himself from the room.

[Narrator]

During the brief break, Judge Smith noticed a lapel pin that McParland was wearing. The pin indicated that McParland was a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order.

[Chris Wimmer]

Of the Elks, a fraternal club that McParland had joined years ago in Denver. McParland wasn't wearing the pin just to wear it. It was a purposeful tactic.

[Narrator]

McParlan knew that Smith was also an.

[Chris Wimmer]

Elk, and McParlan chose the pin specifically for the meeting.

[Narrator]

From that point on, Judge Smith became.

[Chris Wimmer]

Much friendlier to McParland, and he agreed to all of McParland's requests.

[Narrator]

McParland had his way.

[Chris Wimmer]

Now all he had to do was.

[Narrator]

Wait for Harry Orchard to get scared.

[Chris Wimmer]

Enough to tell him everything.

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[Chris Wimmer]

The first phase of James McParlin's plan went into action on January 19, 1906. The accused bomber, Harry Orchard, was taken to a federal penitentiary in Boise and thrown into a cell on death row. Orchard received no explanation for the sudden transfer.

[Narrator]

He was simply locked in a cell.

[Chris Wimmer]

Next to two convicted murderers, both of whom were waiting to hang. The next two days were rough for Harry Orchard. He was not allowed to leave his cell and he sat in the filth waiting for something, anything, to happen. Finally, on the third day, a man escorted by police officers paid Orchard a visit. Orchard didn't think much of the man. To Orchard, he looked like just another bureaucrat or a lawyer. James McParland looked down at Orchard through his steel rimmed spectacles and told Orchard that if he confessed to his crimes and named his co conspirators, the judge would show him mercy. Orchard refused to talk, and he insisted he had committed no crime. So McParland opted for a different approach. McParland asked Orchard if he had ever heard of the Molly Maguires and how 20 of them had gone to the rope for killing the enemies of a labor movement. McParland also added that some of the Mollies had turned state's evidence, even those.

[Narrator]

Guilty of severe crimes and were allowed to go free.

[Chris Wimmer]

Orchard scoffed. He said the downfall of the Mollies was due to the dastardly detective, James McParland. McParland asked Orchard if he had ever.

[Narrator]

Seen the famous detective, either in the papers or in real life. When Orchard said he hadn't, McParland revealed his identity. Orchard was shocked to learn that he.

[Chris Wimmer]

Was talking to the dastardly detective himself.

[Narrator]

McParland began weaving an elaborate metaphor for Orchard. He said that men who committed violence.

[Chris Wimmer]

On behalf of a conspiracy were merely tools of criminal actors, not necessarily criminal actors themselves. According to McParland, the tools deserved mercy. Compared to those who masterminded the plot, the masterminds were the true villains. McParlin never made an explicit promise to Harry Orchard.

[Narrator]

He never said immunity was on the table because he couldn't make that promise. Instead, he let Orchard come to his own conclusions and didn't correct any assumptions which might be overly generous. He gave Orchard three days to reflect.

[Chris Wimmer]

On their conversation, during which time Orchard was allowed to bathe, shave and exercise.

[Narrator]

McParland returned to Orchard on January 25.

[Chris Wimmer]

And he found Orchard in much higher spirits.

[Narrator]

Orchard had given McParland's offer some thought.

[Chris Wimmer]

And agreed to help the prosecution provided he was treated in good faith.

[Narrator]

McParland's one man, good cop, bad cop routine paid off. He was able to pull together an elaborate confession from Harry Orchard which stated that Orchard had been hired by the Western Federation of Miners to kill Frank Stunenberg.

[Chris Wimmer]

According to Orchard, the principal actors were Charles Moyer, president of the wfm, Big Bill Haywood, general secretary, and George Pettibone, a labor activist.

[Narrator]

McParlin's allies, including Governor Frank Goodington, were delighted to have the confession and the names of the conspirators. But as with any good conspiracy, the men at the top were nowhere near the assassination when it happened. They were in Denver, far out of.

[Chris Wimmer]

Governor Gooding's reach, but not out of McParlin's reach.

[Narrator]

McParlan sent word to his men in.

[Chris Wimmer]

Colorado to keep watch for Haywood, Moyer.

[Narrator]

And Pettibone while he tried to figure.

[Chris Wimmer]

Out how to successfully apprehend them.

[Narrator]

McParland began leaking a false story to the Idaho Daily Statesman newspaper, which claimed.

[Chris Wimmer]

Detectives were hot on the trail of additional assassins who had been in Idaho during the murder of Stunenberg.

[Narrator]

The purpose of the article was to get WFM leadership to relax their guard.

[Chris Wimmer]

And to ensure the men wouldn't flee. While the story spread, McParland carefully constructed a scheme to get the suspects from Colorado to Idaho. He'd have to act quick. The last thing he wanted was for his targets to get spooked. Around 8pm on February 17, 1906, WFM President Charles Moyer left his home in Denver and headed for the train station. He planned to catch a train to Deadwood, South Dakota. But on his way to the station.

[Narrator]

He was greeted by a couple sheriff's deputies and a Pinkerton agent.

[Chris Wimmer]

The authorities promptly put shackles around Moyer's wrists and took him into custody. Law enforcement found a.44 caliber revolver, 100 rounds of ammunition and $520 in cash on Moyer. McParlin's operation was in motion. They'd moved fast in order to catch Moyer before he fled all the way to Canada.

[Narrator]

But now they had to catch Haywood.

[Chris Wimmer]

And Pettibone before they realized what was happening?

[Narrator]

At 9:30pm Armed deputies kicked down the.

[Chris Wimmer]

Door of a boarding house and found.

[Narrator]

Big Bill Haywood in bed with his mistress. Less than three hours later, deputies arrested George Pettibone.

[Chris Wimmer]

When all three suspects were detained, the.

[Narrator]

Deputies dragged them to the train station.

[Chris Wimmer]

And threw them onto a train bound for Boise.

[Narrator]

When the men arrived in Boise, McParland.

[Chris Wimmer]

Intended to treat them like he'd treated Harry Orchard. Throw them in a death row cell to rattle their nerves. Word of the arrests reached the press.

[Narrator]

Almost immediately, and the media's response was.

[Chris Wimmer]

Not in McParland's favor.

[Narrator]

Colorado newspapers were outraged. They labeled the arrests as kidnappings.

[Chris Wimmer]

They also called the train that McParland used, quote, pirate special.

[Narrator]

They were quick to point out that.

[Chris Wimmer]

It was illegal to treat people like.

[Narrator]

Fugitives when they weren't even in the state where the crime was committed. Frustrated by the negative publicity, McParland held.

[Chris Wimmer]

Meetings with reporters in an attempt to control the narrative.

[Narrator]

During the meetings, he said his actions.

[Chris Wimmer]

Were necessary, as authorities had an abundance.

[Narrator]

Of evidence of the men's guilt. He also took the time to respond to criticisms he'd been facing from his.

[Chris Wimmer]

Opponents among the WFM and other organizations.

[Narrator]

He mocked his enemies for thinking he.

[Chris Wimmer]

Was no longer someone to be feared.

[Narrator]

And he also insisted that he was.

[Chris Wimmer]

Not waging war against organized labor.

[Narrator]

He was waging war against anarchy and dynamite.

[Chris Wimmer]

But no matter what he claimed, organized labor fought back.

[Narrator]

While McParland was attempting to manage his image, the WFM was actively moving to protect its members.

[Chris Wimmer]

Attorney Edmund Richardson was already building a.

[Narrator]

Case for the defense, and he had.

[Chris Wimmer]

Two easy points of attack. First, McParland was holding all the prisoners illegally on death row. Second, three of the men had been taken from Colorado, which was a direct violation of their rights.

[Narrator]

On February 26, Richardson held a meeting.

[Chris Wimmer]

With Lynn labor leaders in Denver to discuss the preliminary aspects of the case. At one point during the meeting, Richardson.

[Narrator]

Introduced a man whom he wished to.

[Chris Wimmer]

Hire as a co counsel, a lawyer named Clarence Darrow.

[Narrator]

Darrow was 50 years old, and he was a new face to the world of labor rights. But his reputation was already strong. He had shown he was willing to.

[Chris Wimmer]

Play hardball if it meant getting his clients free. James McParlin didn't know it yet, but if he wanted his conspiracy case to stick, he'd have to outthink Clarence Darrow.

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[Chris Wimmer]

McParland had added five new faces to the jails in Boise. One of the men was a miner named Steve Adams. Against McParland's wishes, Adams was thrown into the same cell as Harry Orchard. When McParland found out, he demanded the deputies move Adams to a solitary cell. For days, McParland's orders went unanswered. Even at his most meticulous, it was difficult for McParland to maintain control of the situation. He had a confession that outlined the conspiracy, but they were going to have to try every suspect separately. He tried to find any infraction, no matter how small, which he might be able to connect to the defendants. McParland was constantly on the move, traveling between towns to verify elements of the confessions he'd acquired. Eventually, McParland managed to separate Steve Adams from the rest of the prisoners. With Adams now alone, McParland went to work on him. Before long, McParland got Adams to produce a written confession and which matched Harry Orchard's confession. Feeling freshly confident in the case, McParland left to pursue other leads. And that was when defense attorney Clarence Darrow pounced. Only a few people were able to visit the prisoners, and Darrow arranged for.

[Narrator]

Mrs. Adams to see her husband.

[Chris Wimmer]

But Darrow wasn't just being supportive of his client. Mrs. Adams had an assignment. While visiting her husband, Mrs. Adams smuggled out a document that Adams had written on behalf of the defense. In the document, Adams completely recanted his confession, claiming that McParland and Orchard had written the original. He said that he only signed it because he was threatened by Governor Gooding.

[Narrator]

Within hours of receiving Adams new document, the defense wrote a petition for the.

[Chris Wimmer]

Man man's release, which a local judge granted. Not long after Adams release, McParland received a phone call which informed him that he had just lost one of his key witnesses. Rather than panic, McParland countered Darrow's maneuver with one of his own.

[Narrator]

He had a warrant issued for the arrest of Steve Adams.

[Chris Wimmer]

The warrant claimed that Adams murdered a.

[Narrator]

Sheriff'S deputy in Colorado almost immediately after Adams was released.

[Chris Wimmer]

Released, he was captured again and thrown back into jail. In reality, the warrant was a fabrication. The murder was real, but there was no evidence that Adams was involved. McParland was gambling that there was a legitimate crime somewhere in Adams torrid past. McParland just needed to buy himself time to find it. Luckily, McParland quickly found evidence which linked Adams to a different murder. Murder. With new cards in his hand, McParland visited Adams in jail and redoubled his efforts to get Adams to recant his second statement. But Adams refused. Adams eventually went to trial for the legitimate murder charge, which resulted in a hung jury. It was a major setback and disappointment for McParland. He had hoped that Adams would at the very least serve prison time.

[Narrator]

And then McParland could use the sentence.

[Chris Wimmer]

As leverage to force Adams to cooperate.

[Narrator]

On the big conspiracy case. Now Steve Adams would face a new.

[Chris Wimmer]

Trial and there was a real chance.

[Narrator]

He could be acquitted.

[Chris Wimmer]

McParlan desperately needed to find a way.

[Narrator]

To get Steve Adams to support Harry Orchard's confession.

[Chris Wimmer]

Especially as the most important defendant was about to go to trial.

[Narrator]

In the lead up to Big Bill.

[Chris Wimmer]

Haywood's trial, McParland decided he needed to get his hands a little more dirty.

[Narrator]

He was able to plant undercover Pinkerton agents as witnesses in the defense's case. When defense attorneys called the agents to the stand, the agents would lie in order to discredit the defense's case.

[Chris Wimmer]

Lying on the witness stand was a serious crime, but that was the plan. To McParlin's shock, the defense lawyers ignored.

[Narrator]

His agents and never called them to testify.

[Chris Wimmer]

Or the lawyers discovered the agent's true identities and ran them out of town. The sneaky and illegal plan had failed. But fortunately for McParland and the prosecution, the defense seemed to be rethinking its case. After the deadlock in the Adams trial. Since Clarence Darrow had been unable to secure Steve Adams freedom, Edmund Richardson, the.

[Narrator]

WFM's lead counsel, chose to take point.

[Chris Wimmer]

For the big trials of Bill Haywood, George Pettibone and Charles Moyer.

[Narrator]

With the defense's best attorney now in.

[Chris Wimmer]

A supporting role, McParland and the prosecutors.

[Narrator]

Thought they might still be able to.

[Chris Wimmer]

Secure a conviction against the men who mattered. As May 1907 began, it was time for the first accused conspirator to face a jury of his peers. Big Bill Haywood's trial began on May 7, 1907. James McParland deliberately did not attend.

[Narrator]

The prosecution determined that his presence and.

[Chris Wimmer]

His fame were too distracting.

[Narrator]

Instead, McParland stayed nearby as an advisor. Behind the scenes, he continued to try.

[Chris Wimmer]

To gain confessions from Bill Haywood, Charles Moyer and George Pettibone, or to get them to turn on each other.

[Narrator]

He was determined to tip the case.

[Chris Wimmer]

In favor of the prosecution. But the men held firm. They would never turn. Meanwhile, defense attorneys opted to go after McParland. As with the Molly Maguire trials back in the 1870s, McParland's integrity became a point of attack. They went so far as to call one of McParland's brothers Edward as a character witness. James and Edward hadn't spoken in years, and Edward had quietly become friends with the Western Federation of Miners. Edward described James as a cold, heartless mercenary, an enemy to hard working miners. And the accusation may have helped the defense's case. Big Bill Haywood's trial lasted more than two months and in the end the jury was moved by the defense.

[Narrator]

At the end of July, they acquitted Bill Haywood, much to the chagrin of.

[Chris Wimmer]

McParland and the prosecutors.

[Narrator]

The subsequent cases also ended in defeat.

[Chris Wimmer]

George Pettibone was found not guilty in January 1908 and Charles Moyer's charges were dismissed.

[Narrator]

The only man who saw any jail time for the assassination of Frank Stunenberg.

[Chris Wimmer]

Was the assassin himself, Harry Orchard. After two and a half years of work, the case was right back to where it started. Orcher pleaded guilty and received the death penalty, but his sentence was commuted to life in prison. Harry Orchard stood by his confession, saying that he told the truth about the men who had ordered the assassination. Not that it mattered anymore.

[Narrator]

James McParland was disheartened by the Stunenberg case. The losses in court were bad, but he was just as concerned about his failure to plant undercover agents as witnesses in the defense's case. McParlin knew he had been careful in.

[Chris Wimmer]

His effort to sabotage the defense.

[Narrator]

And yet every single agent had been discovered.

[Chris Wimmer]

He knew there had to have been a logical explanation. And he came to an inevitable conclusion. Clarence Darrow must have had a spy in McParlin's office. McParlin started looking into his agent's financial records to see if any received large sums of money while he was in Idaho. By December 4, 1908, McParland believed he had found the traitor. If true, the betrayal was deep. McParland believed the traitor was the superintendent of the Denver office, H. Frank Carey. During the Big Bill Haywood trial, Carey had received several, several payments he couldn't account for and which were suspiciously close to the time that McParland's operatives were discovered by the defense. McParland called Cary into his office and demanded to see Cary's account books. Car's books would be able to confirm what McParland already knew. Cary had received direct payments from someone outside of the Pinkerton agency. During the trial, Carrie attempted to defend himself, claiming that he never received a dime from the wfm, but he refused to explain where the money came from. Outraged, McParland fired Kerry on the spot, coldly telling him that he was a traitor and he deserved worse than just a dismissal.

[Narrator]

When Kerry returned a few days later to request unpaid wages, McParland slammed the.

[Chris Wimmer]

Door in his face. In the years following the Steunenberg case, McParland tried to work as hard as.

[Narrator]

Ever, but he was growing older and.

[Chris Wimmer]

His health was declining. By the mid-1910s, William Pinkerton was gently encouraging his most lauded agent to retire. McParland ultimately accepted a sort of part time retirement. He still had an office in Denver and consulted with younger agents on cases, but he wasn't an investigator or a manager. Meanwhile, McParland's legend quickly outpaced the man himself. His work with the Molly Maguires was now the stuff of detective lore, not just among the Pinkertons, but in wider popular culture. Famed British novelist Arthur Conan Doyle used the Molly Maguire case as inspiration for his novel the Valley of Fear, in which Sherlock Holmes helps protect a Pinkerton detective who infiltrated a corrupt labor union. In spite of McParlin's failure to convict any of the leadership of the WFM, McParlin's reputation as one of America's greatest private detectives remained secure. Even when his former colleague and friend Charlie Siringo wrote critically of McParlin's dubious tactics, it never fully fractured McParlin's image or reputation. McParlin's poor health eventually caught up to him in May 1919, and he died of a stroke at around the age of 75. In an ironic twist, it seemed that the man who had spent much of his career subverting organized labor had ultimately worked himself to death. Next time on Legends of the Old west, we begin our dive into the life of McParland's best agent, Charlie Siringo. The Texas born Siringo spends his early years as a cowboy. But when a riot in Chicago results in a bombing, Siringo decides to change careers. He becomes a Pinkerton detective and heads west to infiltrate political battles in Colorado and outlaw gangs in Wyoming. That's next week on Legends of the Old West. Members of our Black Barrel program don't have to wait week to week to receive new episodes. They receive the entire season to binge all at once with no commercials, and they also receive exclusive bonuses episodes sign up now through the link in the show notes or on our website black barrel media.com this episode was researched and written by Robert Teamstra. It was produced by Joe Garo. Original music by Rob Valiere. I'm Chris Wimmer. Thanks for listening.

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