The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1857-07-09


rhe Melancholy Accident at Lake Ronkonko-
ma, L. I.-Three Persons Drowned.
The painful accident at Lake Ronkonkoma, L. l., BY
which Mr. John W. Leslie David B. Porter, and little
girl named Harriet Palmer their lives occasioned
the deepest mourning in large circle OF relatives and
quan,ancss The particulars Of the sad affair fol-
lows
On Friday last arranged by Mr. J. w. Leslie and
party Of friends make Fourth OF July visit With his
father and relatives 10 denvile L. about three miles
from the Lakeland staff, the Long leland Railroad and
about fifty five miles from Brooklyn the town Of lip
The party consisted Of John W. Leslie OF the arm Of Put
nam Co book publishers David B. Porter OF the 6rm
Of Lane Porter Of Canal street; Thomas and James Y
Leslie brothers Of John Leslie; Robert Lalor John A.
rompkips G. W. Kearney Miss Minnie G. Leslie, daughter
OF John W. Leslie and his nephew, j. ". Palmer little
boy ten years Of age. The party arrived safe at Edenve
where they were joyfuly received by their friends and
passed q happy evening On Saturday, the Fourth Of
July, they made up party to 60 to Fire Island
ii distance Of about thirteen mies-and spent Q
very pleasant day, fahing and sailing On Sunday the
whole OF the family and vsters attended divine service;
and there being some indications OF q storm Monday,
twas determined by the brothers John and Thomas Les
he Mr. Tonpkns and Mr. Porter 10 return to New York,
attend urgent business. Their friends pressed them
and participate in the contemplated excursion to
Ronkonkoma lake. beautiful sheet Of water, about eight
miles distant The 'owerpg aspect Of the weather. how
ever prevented them after bidding good bye their
comAnions and expressing the utmo., delight with their
visit they started for the railroad station. Upon arriving
here the sky had become clear and the shope
brightly and Mr. Porter having forgotten some important
papers, determined to postpone their return 10 Neg
York for a day. and enjoy the excursion. Mr.. John W.
Leee and Mr. Porter therefore, bid the others adieu with
on s 10 ey Ss
would be mournfu funeral procession or thai they
sending their last message to their wives and Children
but all of the sad future they returned
Edenville the others proceeded 10 New York The
party Of excursonists made amid the most joyful
greet ng OF ,hoee who Unexpectedly returned after
stool ing their baskets well with provisions and arranging
the fishing tackle they started for ske Ronkonkoma
This lax of the many beautiful sheets Of water
which Long Island sbounds. II Is than mile In
diam. being of q rather circular form its waters
clear and transparent; and Its shores are lined with
from some indian tradition, and many the curious
legends banded down among the Deghbors in relation to
it, Although the water y pure and fresh, there Is no
springs In many parts Of the de pth is sad TO be
uufa'nomable, and the most marvellous stories are
tod Of the lengths of line which have been paid ou in
the vain endeavor TO discover the bottom of the
deepest port ons Some fine fish are to be al
ways caught, and this, together with the facilities
for o pleasant sail, render 1t o favorite place Of
for vsiters in the vicinity. The excursonists
thr occasion consisted OF John James and Thomas Leslie
Kea ney Mr. Thompkns Charlotte aud Agnes Les
e the sisters, and nne Leslie the daughter OF John w.
feet long ard capable Of carrying abou. ton half
procured, and fishing party made up The father
bad some business little beyond, aad started off leaving
the excursoDis In high glee on the shore rambling
among the delightful groves and the others in the boat
Thus they amused themselves until afternoon, when af
waning vainy for the return Of the father the party In
the boat sgnaised into the pic dinner
which they did, and the father not having yet returned
after the edbles had been despatched, Mr. Porter pro-
posed another sailing party al about Iwo O'Clock 1t had
be- the custom OF the Of the boat TO have Of
experience attend ali sailing parties, but this occasion
gladly awaited himself Of the opportunity charge
Of the boat party of eight then made mp, consist
or, charlotte LESLIE little John Palms and his sister,
Hattie Palmer, aged about nine years. children OF Dr. Pal
ner Of Myrtle avenue srGORyn tho o.: sspIn law Of Mr.
.horc ,esansy a the others ha. Poror would ip
them before they got back" He little thought how sadly
his jestng words would prove be- Mr. Kear-
ney asked TO 60, and indeed had sailed . short dis
tAnce but finally concluded shore With the
ladies, and accordingly landed The beat then put
off, and after sailing about for short me, dropped their
sails md occupied themselves with fishing Before start
squa coming to which Mr.. Porter, who had charge Of
the boat, replied that there ''no danger" He
little dreamed OF the amenlable accident In which he
active par acipator They had occupied
themselves stated for about two hours when the party
shore joined by Mr.. Leslie the father 40 had
returned The boa, instantly sgnalsed return and
the sails get and the little vessel stood calamity
for the Shore which three al least destined 70 reach
only as hfeless corpses Mr. Leslie was engaged In eaag
and listening TO The narrative OF the days pleasure aud
remarked the fine syle which the boat making for
the sbore. He turned his face but for moment, and
when he looked again the boat was no where 70 be seen
With the greatest alarm he excalm mod "They sunk"
and upon closer scrutiny the party was discovered strus
Cling In the water and the vessel lying It's side. Mr.
Kearney and Mr. Tompkins remem oered seeing skin
short distance along shore and both sprang for It, Mr. Tomp
kns reached 1t first and seeing that woul not hold
pu,hed OF, and handling the with some skill made
for the OF the disaster HE bon was, however,
then partly full Of water and leaking, and before no
reached the he Obliged TO stop twice and bale
out the wkter. But when he finally did reach there the
skill became over,e in endeavor get others int, It,
AND he himself plunged into the water and obliged to
held by his hinds save himself. Mr. Kearney had
procured another boat and endeavored 90 out
died within few RODS OF the shore and he was obliged to
wade back Meanwhile the accident had been witnessed
from The other side Of The lake. and two named Mr.
Wells and Mr. Mccormick had started in two boats from
the MOTEL When they arrived they found that Mr. Porter
Mr. John Leslie and the little girl, Hattie, we're missing
Amer vainy searching for tho boies the survivors
Of those in the boa, /, clear tb", NJ Porter and ur Iss
lie noby lost their ves In their efforts 10 those whom
they knew were helpless They the only Swimmers
In the party Of eight The little boat sailing under
still breeze, ard all the party sitting side
Suddenly n squal struck her, the boom goed and all
were instantly cipitAted into tho water. Mr. Leslie
on the boom; he next rescued the little boy, and
placed him on the mast, and was last seen
swimming around endeavorinE 10 the others II Is
supposed That the and The benumbng influence OF
The cold water gave him ash OF blood 10 the head
which, with the weight OF his wet Clothes renderei him
helpless Mr Iaor saved Charlotte although no was an
AIDE 70 swim himself Mr.. Porter active In saving the
otherr AND when last seen was heard 10 With smiling
face, have got the little girl safe (meaning Harriet
Pamer), but moment he gone beneath the placid
waters Of the lake, with the little girl In his Thus
pershed two noble IN the prime Of fe and vigov In
their self sacrificing efforts 10 lido good unto others" There
We no facilities for recovering no bodies At hand,
the remainder Of the party which had len the old home
stead 30 full Of fe ank buoysncy the morning. returned
In the evening With sad and rrowing hearts Mr. James
1csls a much by his exposure n the
that his he was des paired OF, but no finally recovered
On Tuesdsy morning. The requisite apparatus he wing been
procured the party retained the lake for the purpose
finding the bodies but found upon their arrival that the
neghbors had at O'Clock succeeded recovering them
and they were then lying on the beach. They
taken 70 the house and the Coroner notified OF thor
covery The Formally Of c0roner's inquest g,ne
through with, and oercaes 10 bring the bodies
10 the city for inerment Mr. Charles Barney and II.
Lewis friends OF Mr. Porter took charge OF his remains
and The family OF Mr. Leslie, the father npaned the
remains OF the son 70 ths city yesterday morning.
Mr.. Porter Of the firm OF Lane Porter, Canal
street, and has been In the dry goods business for fifteen
years He about forty Eve years OF age, and leaves
wife and two children 70 m hts loss. He
OF some and lately had his life insured for Ss 600