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

Legends of the Old West

Black Barrel Media

Arts, History, Documentary, Society & Culture

4.8 • 3.4K Ratings

🗓️ 6 August 2025

⏱️ 30 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

After 20 years as a supervisor, James McParland yearns to get back into the field as a detective. He finds his chance in 1906 when the Pinkerton agency is hired to handle the assassination of Frank Steunenberg, the former governor of Idaho. During the case, McParland matches wits with famed attorney, Clarence Darrow. Thanks to our sponsor, HelloFresh! To get started, check out our plan: HelloFresh.com/legends10fm Join Black Barrel+ for ad-free episodes and bingeable seasons: blackbarrel.supportingcast.fm/join Apple users join Black Barrel+ for ad-free episodes, bingeable seasons and bonus episodes. Click the Black Barrel+ banner on Apple to get started with a 3-day free trial. For more details, visit our website www.blackbarrelmedia.com and check out our social media pages. We’re @OldWestPodcast on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. On YouTube, subscribe to LEGENDS+ for ad-free episodes and bingeable seasons: hit “Join” on the Legends YouTube homepage. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0	You've reached the final level.
0:02.4	The spicy McNuggets side mission.
0:05.3	Maximum flavour, crispy crunch, and a spicy dip with a kick.
0:09.6	Are you ready?
0:11.7	Spicey McNuggets for a limited time only.
0:14.9	Until the night of September 25, fees apply to delivery.
0:17.3	Participation and price may vary.
0:18.5	Subject to availability, serving time supply.
0:37.0	On January 10, 1906, a train pulled into the station in Boise, Idaho. A man stepped onto the platform with a cane
0:40.1	tucked under his arm. He was heavy set, middle-aged, and had a thick mustache. Though he was no
0:46.3	longer the lean, physically fit Irishmen who were participated in brawls and riots with the
0:51.2	Molly Maguire, James McParland's mind was as sharp as ever.
0:56.2	It had been 30 years since McParland infiltrated the Molly Maguire.
1:00.5	Since then, McParland's career had skyrocketed, and he was now one of the most famous
1:05.4	private detectives in the United States.
1:08.0	But for the past two decades, McParland's role with the Pinkerton Detective
1:12.0	Agency was more management than investigation. In 1888, he was put in charge of the Denver
1:18.7	office, and he helped make it into one of the most prolific detective offices in the West.
1:24.4	But after years of spending the majority of his time sitting behind a desk or networking with influential people, McParland craved action.
1:33.0	He wanted to get back in the field to do some real detective work.
1:37.2	That was why he ventured to Boise, Idaho, to help crack a high-profile murder.
1:46.0	Eleven days earlier, on December 30th, 1905, a man named Frank Stunenberg went about his business in Caldwell, Idaho.
	...

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