At likely 1832 mass grave in Pa., unearthed bones show murder of Irish immigrant rail workers

Old Irish bones may yield murderous secrets in Pa.

MALVERN, Pa. — Researchers believe two old skulls unearthed near Philadelphia this month can help explain the mysterious deaths of 57 Irish immigrants in 1832.

The skulls were found in a probable mass grave in Malvern, where it’s believed the laborers were buried four months after taking grueling jobs with the Philadelphia and Columbia Railroad.

Within weeks, all were dead, supposedly of cholera. But the skulls show signs of violence.

William Watson, history department chairman at nearby Immaculata University, and his twin brother Frank have worked for nearly a decade to unravel the mystery at what’s known as Duffy’s Cut.

The researchers think the some of the men did die of cholera, while others were killed to keep the dreaded disease from spreading.

(This version CORRECTS that skulls were unearthed this month, not last week.)