Spike worked as a sniper for the Lemures in 1931. He acted upon the instructions of their leader, Goose Perkins, in order to take over the Flying Pussyfoot and blackmail Senator Manfred Beriam into freeing Huey Laforet. Thanks to Claire Stanfield, Spike is now blind, and thus unable to use a gun. After recovering from his ordeal he enters into the employ of Senator Manfred Beriam and starts training Sonja Bake in the ways of sharpshooting, essentially using her for his own gains. (Source: Baccano! Wikia, edited)