Three Men Killed and Several Hurt on the Long Island Railroad

New York, 1895

The 11 A. M. train from Long Island City Friday was snowbound at Fenhurst. It was in charge of Engineer Louis Cornell and Conductor Barto. An extra engine in charge of Patrick Mahoney and David Lavelle came to their relief, and the train left Fenhurst at 4.45 P. M., made up of two engines and two cars. Opposite the New Venice Hotel at Arverne Mahoney's engine ran into some freight cars on a side track and was upset. Lavelle was killed instantly. Mahoney attempted to jump, but was caught, and so crushed that he lived only a few minutes.

During the storm at 7.30 o'clock Friday morning the snow plough from the east that was opening the Long Island railroad ran into the section men who were cleaning the switch at Deer Park. It struck Louis Lesser, killing him instantly and Andrew Preissello, whom it threw a hundred feet, breaking both of his legs and one arm. Both men were Italians. William McGahen saw the plough and attempted to jump. His foot slipped and his leg was broken.

—The Long Island Farmer, Jamaica, NY, Feb. 15, 1895, p. 1.