Talk:Baldwin–Felts Detective Agency

Removed Non-POV tag

I removed the non-POV tag for two reasons. First, there was no discussion on this talk page as to why it should be there in the first place. Second, as the references show, the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency was notorious for its use of violence against labor union supporters. Asking for a "balanced" view of the Baldwin-Felts agency's work would be similar to asking for an article on Nazi deathcamp guards to talk about the good work the Gestapo did. There may have been isolated instances in which Baldwin-Felts agents prevented violence or destruction of property. But, on the whole, the agency is best-known for its brutality and general thuggishness, and its role in the Hatfield and Matewan tragedies. - Tim1965 15:37, 14 December 2006 (UTC)

I am not certain that I agree entirely. I agree that they were a brutal agency of anti-union thugs. It is also true that they did investigate thefts and murders on the railroads (though some of these incidents were as brutal as their union activities). I think that any time you study the agency you have to take into account that the principals did believe they were the white hats keeping back the deadly "isms" of unionism and communism. While my judgment on the agency is largely in line with your own there are others (see Velke's book) who would disagree. John Adkins 20:25, 8 August 2007 (UTC)

Fayette County, WV

I am just trying to understand Wikipedia; consequently, I am not sure of how I can contribute at this time. I have always used different sources. I have had bad luck using this encyclopedia because it would not let me edit things I am legally responsible for. I find it to be very frustrating to be denied editing rights to a listing that provides information about something you personally own or control in life. It is sort of like "How dare you delete my edits when I am the source!"

As far as Baldwin-Felts goes, I would like this listing to include information about their involvement with Justus Collins in Fayette County, West Virginia. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 131.118.85.100 (talk) 00:39, 19 April 2012 (UTC)

Neutrality of Matewan Massacre section

This section seems to omit facts found on the Battle of Blair Mountain article (which is referenced) that seems much more incriminating against the agency. For example that the agents illegally evicted a family and then produced a bogus warrant for an officer's arrest. Furthermore, the use of the word 'assassinate' isn't very neutral, as they killed two men in cold blood. I'd recommend expansion of this section to include further facts and greater neutrality. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Adam Kightley (talk • contribs) 19:06, 1 August 2017 (UTC)

External links modified

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Ludlow Massacre section misrepresents the nature of the horrific event.

The Ludlow Massacre section misrepresents the nature of the horrific event. It was not a confrontation between miners and strike breakers. The miners were away at a strike. The Baldwin-Felts men, backed by the Colorado National Guard. confronted and slaughtered women, children, and infants in their camp tents while the miners were away. Children were machine-gunned and burned alive. Characterizing the Ludlow Massacre as a contest between adults of differing views is simply wrong.

Howard Zinn describing Ludlow Massacre The American Experience, PBS: The Ludlow Massacre --Bilipede (talk) 11:48, 28 November 2018 (UTC)

Agreed. Devgirl (talk) 22:56, 9 April 2020 (UTC)