Further evidence of murder at Duffy's Cut

by Amy Invernizzi

A memorial at Duffy's Cut

Archaeological researchers excavating at Duffy’s Cut have uncovered two more human skulls which show evidence of blunt force injury.

Duffy’s Cut, site of a mass grave of Irish railroad workers dating from 1832, is located just 30 miles west of Philadelphia. History tells us that 57 Irish emigrants were hired by railroad contractor Philip Duffy but that the workers, primarily from Donegal, Tyrone, and Derry, had all died within six weeks of their employment, allegedly from cholera.

Dr. Frank Watson and his brother William are in charge of the Duffy’s Cut excavation project. The brothers have been investigating the case since 2000, and work at the site began in 2004. It is now believed that the workers on the dig are being urged to wind the project down swiftly, due to dangerous conditions in the area and pressure from local residents.

Recent evidence uncovered has shown that the Irish railroad workers may have been the victims of foul play and that a mass murder of the workers may have actually been conducted. The goal of the Duffy’s Cut excavation project is primarily to identify the bodies of the workers using DNA evidence, and to eventually locate descendants of the workers in order that each may be given a proper burial. Further, the archaeologists want to uncover the truth about the cause of the 57 deaths.

These two new skulls are in addition to two that were previously found at the site, all displaying signs of having been bludgeoned.

Researchers say that it is possible that the Irish workers were murdered by vigilante authorities or locals of nearby towns who feared that the emigrants would spread disease. Another possibility is that they were executed as a result of anti-Irish and/or anti-Catholic sentiment.