Timothy Burke and John M. Burke of Scranton, Pa., have filed against the Erie Railroad, the Nypano Railroad Company and the Erie Land and Improvement Company what is probably the largest sum in a mechanics lien ever received in this county.
The property affected is the new roadbed of the Erie Railroad between Lakewood and Niobe, a distance of 9 3/4 miles. According to the claim made in the lien the value of work done and materials furnished amount to $489,090.73 and the amount unpaid is $270,75994.
Source: Westfield [NY] Republican, 18 March 1908 , p. 2, NYS Historic Newspapers.