A May 28, 1883 article from The (NY) Evening Post describing the battles between the Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad and the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad to build their respective tracks over a plot of land near Buffalo. The Rochester and Pittsburgh was in the process at that time of building their line from Buffalo to a connection at Ashford Junction with their existing line from Rochester to Salamanca and the Pennsylvania state line.
Exciting Times Near Buffalo—Rails Torn Up and Relaid by the Opposing Companies.
Buffalo, May 28.—A few days ago the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad Company obtained an injunction restraining the Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad Company from laying its tracks over the Humphrey farm, a strip of land, which the former had once intended to utilize, but: subsequently abandoned. The main track and several switches which had been laid by the latter were then tom up and replaced with Lackawanna rails, Yesterday afternoon 300 employees of the Rochester and Pittsburgh Railroad were collected together and, with the aid of five engines and cables, they ditched the cars of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Company and relaid their track, which was again torn up by the Lackawanna Company. Officer McAuliffe, who is employed by the Lackawanna Company, arrested James Martin, Roadmaster of the Rochester and Pittsburgh, and his brother Thomas, as they were passing through the engine-house in order to direct the men in relaying the outside track. The officer said he had a warrant, but refused to show it, The Superintendent of Police ordered the men released, as no charge had been preferred against them. They returned to the scene of action, and once more relaid their track. A large force of men was on guard last night to resist an attack. The damage done is estimated at $25,000.