![Charles W. Neiman [Click here to view full size picture]](media/history/tn_charles_neiman.jpg)
Charles Willis Neiman was born on March 24, 1861 in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania to Edgar M. and Harriet Laird Neiman. The family moved to Kansas and engaged in successful farming until their deaths. Harriet died in 1887 and Edgar died on December 31, 1903. Edgar was also a prominent physician and surgeon. Charles was educated in the public schools and attended the State Agricultural College in Kansas. At the age of 18 he left home to seek his own fortune and fame. In 1880 he arrived at Denver, Colorado where for a short time he clerked in a grocery before returning to Kansas to farm. He was not successful so in 1883 he moved to Rawlins, Wyoming and became a range rider for the L 7 Cattle Company working for them for one year. In 1884 he moved to Routt County and worked for the Leavenworth Cattle Company and later the Ora Haley Cattle Company continuing to ride the range until 1895 when he was elected sheriff, taking office in January 1896. He was re-elected in 1897, serving until 1899. While serving as sheriff he also homesteaded 160 acres in south Routt and was a very successful cattle rancher. "Neiman Peak" is named after him. As foreman of the Leavenworth Cattle Company, during the roundup of 1883, he led his crew into fallen timber and rock slides on the peak and suffered torn packs, casualties and lost horses. The men commemorated that event by naming the peak after him. Neiman's knowledge and familiarity of the Brown's Park area served him well in the pursuit and capture of Lant and Tracy. On February 28, 1898 Sheriff Neiman and Undersheriff Ethan Allen Farnham, along with a posse, were entering Brown's Park in search of John "Judge" Bennett and Patrick Louis Johnson. (see Ethan Allen Farnham) Valentine Hoy, one of the posse was shot and killed by Lant or Tracy. Bennett was captured and taken back to the Bassett ranch for safekeeping but while Farnham was guarding him masked men entered the bunkhouse and immobilized Farnham, put a gunny sack over Bennett's head and hung him from the corral gate. After Farnham was freed he cut Bennett down and buried him. The next morning the search continued for Johnson, Tracy and Lant. They were eventually captured and ordered held at the Hahn's Peak jail. After Sheriff Neiman had served them their supper on a Saturday night Lant attacked Neiman and managed to beat him senseless and the two men escaped. Neiman saved his own life by pretending to be dead. The outlaws stole horses and made good for Steamboat in the cold and freezing temperatures of March. Sheriff Neiman waited awhile and took out after them. He caught up with them the next morning as they were boarding the stage for Wolcott and recaptured both outlaws. They were then taken to a much stronger jail at Aspen but they tried the same escape there by beating the jailer and making good their getaway. Both men became notorious for their life of crime. Sheriff Neiman became known as a fearless and able lawman. On December 31, 1900 he married Ruby Carle and had four children: Edgar W., Leslie M. Neiman Yount, Willis C. and Borden Dean. Edgar W. and Willis C. died very young. In 1913 he incorporated the Yampa Egeria Telephone Company along with George Crossan and George Koeppen. He was always interested in civic duty and improving his community so in 1918 he again returned to politics and ran for sheriff on the Democratic ticket. Due to his popularity and good reputation he was elected and served through 1924. Charles W. Neiman died in July 1947 and is buried in the Yampa Cemetery.
Resource:
The Tread of Pioneers, Charles H. Leckenby
Steamboat Pilot, October 23, 1918
Steamboat Pilot, Tales of the Old West, date unknown
Routt County Republican, June 13, 1913
The Historical Guide to Routt County
Progressive Men of Western Colorado
Obit, Steamboat Pilot, July 9, 1947
Where The Old West Stayed Young, John Rolfe Burroughs
Steamboat Magazine, Winter/Spring 1982, Jean Wren
Rock Springs Miner, March 6, 1936
Steamboat Pilot, July 22, 1948
© 2004 Joyce Cusick nacpinc@hotmail.com
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