The Madisonville Traction Company v. Saint Bernard Mining Company case in 1904 revolved around a dispute over property rights and the use of a railway track. The Madisonville Traction Company had built its tracks on land owned by the Saint Bernard Mining Company, with an agreement that it would pay for any damages caused to the mining company's operations due to this construction. However, when disputes arose regarding these payments, both parties took their grievances to court. The Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Saint Bernard Mining Co., stating that they were entitled to compensation from Madisonville Traction Co., as per their initial agreement.

In the dissenting opinion for Madisonville Traction Company v. Saint Bernard Mining Company, it was argued that the majority's decision to uphold a lower court ruling in favor of Saint Bernard Mining Co. was flawed due to an incorrect interpretation of Kentucky law regarding property rights and easements. The dissent contended that under state law, when a company like Madisonville Traction is granted permission by local authorities to lay tracks across private land (as they were), this constitutes an easement or right-of-way rather than full ownership over the land itself. Therefore, according to this view, Saint Bernard should have been allowed to mine underneath these tracks without being held liable for any potential damage caused as long as they took reasonable precautions not to interfere with Madisonville’s use of its easement.