Hetalia: The Fifty Stars

Chapter 43: The Pinkerton Spy

Idaho. The 43rd state is mainly known for potatoes. He can be a pessimist and a grumpy downer most states don't like, but they do appreciate his strong work ethics, especially during the late eighteenth century. After the Civil War, the States of America were rebuilding their economy in what became to be known as the Second Industrial Revolution. Cities, inventions, factories, capitalism, this era brought great change to a nation that once relied on agriculture. However, it also brought problems in the form of the strikes of the impoverished, work-torn labor of large industries.

The Coeur d'Alene, Idaho Labor Strike of 1892 was one out of numerous labor strikes in the United States during this time. Miners constantly faced dangerous work conditions, endured long 9-10 hours for seven work days, and receive as much as $3.00 a day for their efforts. In response to cut wages by the owners of the miens, miners began to organize themselves into local labor unions. Against organized labor, the Mine Owners' Association hired Pinkertons to spy on labor union meetings, intended on firing union workers and suppress any form of negotiation by the miners. The start of the labor strike can be turned to one Pinkerton agent who was a key player in the conflict.

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July 8, 1892 ~ Saturday

"There's a traitor among us. We need to find this son of a bitch soon, or else our progress will be all for nothing," said some angry, bearded guy to others like him.

Every miner had seen the recent pages of the Coeur d'Alene Barbarian. Not a single eye could avoid the articles of spilled secrets. Some members of the local labor unions have begun to protest, pointing the blame at the owners of the mines for using underhanded tactics. The owners in their defense simply told them they weren't involved in anything, or so they say. Despite finding little evidence of wrongdoing in their part, everyone knew they were behind it in one way or another. After all, this wasn't the first time Pinkertons were used against labor strikes. 

If Pinkertons really were involved, the labor union will have bigger problems coming its way. Who was the snitch that spilled the beans? How were they able to get the union's vital information? What else do they know? Such questions were on every labor official's mind. Each member was both a scout and a suspect. There was a traitor among them, and they need to be stopped.

Not my problem!

"Can't believe I'm spending my second anniversary at some dumpy bar! No cake, no friends, no gifts, shit nothing! Not even a fucking day off! I swear to the potato gods the next time I see my boss I'm going to spit in his face! This blows!" I chug down my second glass of beer.

"Uh... you alright there, bud?"

I turned my head to the person who asked the question. On my left was a man in his late thirties. The first thing I noticed was his clean mustache, typically seen in middle folk. He was looking my way in a friendly manner, however, I couldn't meet his eyes as they were hidden under his dark gray trilby. Compared to the sweaty miners in baggy cargo pants, this man had on a crisped, black suit and suede shoes, standing out like polished obsidian among coal. Didn't look like a local if I had to take a guess.

"Bad day..." I muttered, sipping on my glass of beer.

He nodded. "Same." He sipped his glass of rum.

"Doesn't look that way," I scoffed, noting his dressage.

"I cleaned up after work."

"Work? In this shit hole???"

He gave off a little chuckle. "Yeah. I work as a trammer in the Gem mine."

"For how long?"

He gave some thought in the question. "For a couple of months now."