The McFadden Murder

This is the tale of a 1920s-era murder in the historic West Windsor community of Princeton Junction.

Historical Overview

It's November 22, 1928, and you're hunting for animals in the woods near the historic West Windsor community of Princeton Junction. Suddenly, you stumble upon a decomposing body. You've just stumbled upon a murder scene.

This was indeed the case for Thomas Shorten and his companion on that very day around 5 o'clock. The body those two hunters found was that of Thomas McFadden - a 25-year-old resident of Providence, Rhode Island. It's unknown why McFadden was in Princeton Juction or who his associates were, but it seemed clear from the heavy level of decomposition that he had been dead for several days. It also became apparent to authorities that this was likely a murder; not only had his body been carefully covered with brush, but clotted blood around the head and back of the neck indicated he had been struck or shot.[1]

McFadden had apparently left Rhode Island in August to work in New York, but evidently obtained a job in New Jersey (exact employer unknown).[2] He had been previously employed at the Nicholson File Company in Rhode Island, but severed his connection with the firm about two months ago.[3]

McFadden was survived by his mother, Margaret, as well as his several siblings: Gertrude, Margaret, Helen, Raymond, Thomas, Edward, and Frank. Although (presumably) distraught over the thought of him being murdered, the family likely found relief when an autopsy report on November 24 revealed that, despite the mystery of how William had ended up in those woods, he had likely died of natural causes.[4],[5]

AI-created rendition.

That is, until two years later, when a strange bit of news came from the opposite end of the country. In July 1930, a man held prisoner in the City of Ephrata, Washington, confessed that he killed a fellow railroad worker at Princeton Junction around the time of McFadden's death. Prosecutor Charles H. English telegraphed West Coast authorities to hold the man, Michael Duhr, while a representative of the Prosecutor's office traveled to Washington state.[6]

Michael had apparently been known as "Leo Smith" to the labor crew of the Pennsylvania Railroad that camped near Princeton Junction in the Fall of 1928. The railroad company's records revealed that Leo had vanished from camp around the same time of William McFadden's disappearance. Moreover, Michael Duhr's description of the scene of the crime matched perfectly.[7]

So why kill William? The Trenton Evening Times reported that "Duhr claimed two men tried to attack him and that he cut one man with a knife. He says that man got away but that he choked and kicked the other man to death ... left body lying where slain."[8]

Prosecutor Leo J. Rogers and Detective Thomas J. McGann made the long trip to Washington State to retrieve Michael Duhr.[9] According to the Atlantic City Press, Duhr "told officers he felt better now that the whole thing is off my chest."[10]

Interpretive AI drawing.

Interestingly, after Duhr was brought back to New Jersey, the Trenton Evening Times reported that he had yet another name: Sevaska Kalatuskin, aged 36. According to the newspaper, after having killed McFadden, "Kalatuskin roamed in the West. Gradually he became remorseful and depressed. The climax came when he was picked up by Sheriff C. E. Anderson of Ephrata, on suspicion of having figured in a murder that occurred two days previous ... the suspect was taken to a cell, quizzed, and subsequently cleared of the charges. But Kalatuskin's conscience could no longer stand the business of hiding a crime. So he confessed [to the murder of William McFadden."[11]

While in a Mercer County jail, Michael Duhr attempted suicide by cutting his throat with a razor. However, a guard discovered him immediately, and Duhr was taken to St. Francis Hospital in Trenton for Treatment. Durh then declared "I made a bum job of it" and subsequently tried to reopen the wound, whereupon he was handcuffed by authorities.[12]

Following a hearing before the State Supreme Court, Michael Duhr was transferred to the State Hospital. Durh had apparently told County Physician Charles H. Mitchell that he was "hearing strange persons talking to him in his cell at night."[13] The 1940 census shows him still residing as a ward of the Hospital.[14] His fate thereafter remains a mystery to this day.

Interpretive AI drawing.

Bibliography

"Providence Man Believed Murder Victim In Jersey." The Evening Bulletin. November 23, 1928.
Ibid.
"Providence Man Believed Slain." The Providence Journal. November 23, 1928.
"Providence Man Not Victim of Murder in Jersey." The Evening Bulletin. November 24, 1928.
"Autopsy Shatters Belief of Murder." The Providence Journal. November 24, 1928.
"Murder is Seen in Tragedy of Two Years Ago." Trenton Evening Times. July 18, 1930.
Ibid.
Ibid.
"McGann Goes West to Return Slayer." Trenton Evening Times. July 27, 1930.
"Check Murder Confession." Atlantic City Press. August 1, 1930.
"Confessed Killer Arrives at Jail." Trenton Evening Times. August 7, 1930.
"Jail Inmate, Awaiting Murder Charge Trial, Tries to End His Life." Trenton Evening Times. September 15, 1930.
"Duhr Is Ordered to State Hospital." Trenton Evening Times. September 17, 1930.
United States Census, 1940 - Trenton.” Trenton, 1940.