30 Years Ago

Thursday, October 25, 1990

Neiman Ranch purchased locally at auction

The scenic and productive Powder River portion of the ranch that has been in the Neiman name since 1913 was sold Saturday, October 20, to local Epsie ranchers, Tony and Esther Gali, by Jim and Iris Neiman.

The ranch was sold at auction, by Mills Auction Service, along with an impressive lineup of operating equipment, as well and antiques and household furnishings. A good deal of the equipment and household goods were also purchased by the Galis. The Neimans said Sunday that they were happy that “Tony bought enough furniture for us to get by with while we wind up things in time to go south for the winter.”

Jim’s arthritis “can’t stand the cold” and the Neimans have been going south for the winter since 1982 when they sold their “hill land” to Curt and Bonnie Randall, neighbors on the north. At that time they also sold their cattle.

The ranch is about 12 miles downriver from Broadus, in T3S, R52E, and is split by nearly two miles of the wandering Powder River. It has been a good alfalfa hay producing spot with 60 acres under the ditch and more acres which could be developed, pending water rights.

According to the journals of Ralph M. Neiman, Jim’s father, he came there to homestead in 1913, with a saddle horse and all his worldly goods on a pack horse. He taught school for many years, including several years in the town of old Boyes and Piniele. He married Adeline Mann of Piniele in 1915, going by team and wagon to Belle Fourche for the ceremony, and died in 1943, at the age of 51 years.

Before coming here Mr. Neiman had served as a ranger in the Custer National Forest. His first school was the Aldrich School in 1913.

Jim, an only child, was old enough to continue operating the ranch at his father’s death. He married Iris Walker, a visitor in the neighborhood from Iowa, in January 1944.

Their three children are Susan Stempke who has four children, now of Coeur d’Alene; Jay, who with his wife Kathleen have two children, Lisa and Pete of Gillette, and Katie, with husband Bruce Owens of Glendive have a son, Scottie. Grandchildren Lisa and Pete grew up in Broadus and on the ranch.

All except Susan and family came home to help prepare for the sale and bid farewell to the country home where they spent so many happy childhood years. The fragrance of new-mown alfalfa hay, the sounds and scents of running water, the bird song and wildlife of the tree-lined Powder River, the fun and ease of stock raising with artesian wells, and favorite saddle horses are part of their best memories.

It is said that “Tony Gali bought the place for a daughter and her husband and family,” which is pleasant news for the community.

The original Ralph Neiman home site is across the river west. When the flood of 1923 changed the river channel it left the 1913 buildings on the west side of the river. Jim said his dad dragged the two-room house across the river so it would again be on the east side, and it is part of the present home.

Mr. Gali noted in a later interview that his bid on the 640 acre ranch was 100,000 dollars but that this included the pump and tractor for the irrigation system. He added that tentative plans for setting up a well irrigation system for a stable alfalfa hay base, on his holdings in the Epsie community was estimated at a cost of about that amount without figuring the cost of electricity to run the pumps.

Gali also remarked that there is nothing certain on just who will live on the river place and manage it for him at this time.

Cain takes first place in demolition derby

Scott Cain of Broadus outclassed 18 other drivers to win the Powder River Auto Club’s 1990 Homecoming Demolition Derby here Saturday. Adding prestige to the win was the fact that it was only Cain’s second ever demolition derby. Most other competitors were wily veterans of the sport.

Cain drove a 1970 Oldsmobile Tornado to the victory.

Second place honors went to veteran driver Clinton Watters of Broadus, driving a 1975 Ford Torino. Ron Giacometto of Belle Creek, another veteran derby driver, rolled to third place in a 1974 Chevy station wagon.

Joining the trio in the final championship heat were Les Garneau of Miles City, in the 1972 Chrysler which he had won in the grudge match, and heat winner Cliff Grant.

Andy Perkins won the best looking car trophy with his 1965 Ford Fairlane.

Jerry McPhearson won the barrel race with a fast time of 30.36 seconds, barely edging out James Hance’s second place winning time of 30.38. Ron Giacometto placed third with a slightly slower time of 31.31 seconds.

The Jaws of Life car brought in $286, and the Auto Club will donate an additional $214 to bring the total donated to the fund to an even $500. Cindy Olson held the winning ticket, but as she had her own car, she sold the Auto Club vehicle to Tom Giacometto.

Olson went on to drive her car to a first place finish in the Powder Puff event.

Only two young men competed in the youth motorcycle barrel race event. Bobby Ivester claimed first place, while second went to Greg Minow.