{"product_id":"the-ghosts-of-duffys-cut-the-irish-who-died-building-americas-most-dangerous-stretch-of-railroad","title":"The Ghosts of Duffy's Cut: The Irish Who Died Building America's Most Dangerous Stretch of Railroad","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn 1832  57 Irish Catholic workers were brought to the United States to lay one of the most difficult miles of American railway  Duffys Cut of the Pennsylvania Railroad. These men were chosen because  in the eyes of the railroad company that hired them  they were expendable. Deaths were common during the building of the railway but this stretch was worse than most. When cholera swept the camp basic medical attention and community support was denied to them. In the end all 57 menthe entire work crewdied and were buried in a mass unmarked grave. Their families in Ireland were never notified about what happened to them. The company did its best to cover up the incident  which was certainly one of the worst labor tragedies in U.S. history. Set against the backdrop of a rapidly industrializing America  this book tells the story of these men  the sacrifices they made  and the mistreatment that claimed their lives.  The saga of Duffys Cut focuses particularly on the Irish laborers who built the railroads. Who were these men? Who hired them? Why did they come? Perhaps most important  why did they die? Based on archaeological digs at the site and meticulous historical research  the authors argue that the annihilation of the work crew came about because of the extreme conditions of their employment  the prejudice of the surrounding community  and the vigilante violence that kept them isolated. In shedding light on this tragic chapter in American labor history  The Ghosts of Duffys Cut also illuminates a dark side of Americas rise to greatness.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44984501076021,"sku":"ByrdShop_0275987272","price":108.2,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780275987275.jpg?v=1770835277","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-ghosts-of-duffys-cut-the-irish-who-died-building-americas-most-dangerous-stretch-of-railroad","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}