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William Riley

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William Riley

Birth	:	1830 Pickaway County, Ohio, USA
Death	:	12 Jun 1879 Henry County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Lattimore Baptist Cemetery, Lattimore, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate	:	35.4435997, -81.6667023
Plot	:	Row 7
Description	:	Son of John Riley and Teressa Benn Riley. Married Mary Davis Riley on October 23, 1864. --------- Note: The following accounts were published about the death of William Riley. Normally graphic accounts should not be on memorials, but in this case this account shows what pioneer life was like in Henry county in 1879, so is being presented in that context: "Notes for WILLIAM RILEY: MURDER!!! ... Read More	Son of John Riley and Teressa Benn Riley. Married Mary Davis Riley on October 23, 1864. --------- Note: The following accounts were published about the death of William Riley. Normally graphic accounts should not be on memorials, but in this case this account shows what pioneer life was like in Henry county in 1879, so is being presented in that context: "Notes for WILLIAM RILEY: MURDER!!! Another Man Killed Near Marshall Wm. Riley Shot While Plowing Corn in his Field. MARSHALL, J June 16th, 1879 The people of our community are again startled and saddened by another murder, right in our midst in open broad daylight, between dinner and supper time. Wm. Riley who owns a farm of about 200 acres in the north west corner of Jefferson township went out with his team after dinner to plow a field southwest of his house. Close to where he was at work there was a thicket of trees and under brush where the person appears to have laid in ambush awaiting for his intended victim to come up toward him. He allowed him to make the turn at the head of the furrow, and had proceeded about 12 to 15 feet, when from his hiding place he sent the hellish bullet into the poor mans head. He must have dropped dead without a struggle. His team appears to have gone on a short distance further, when the line became tangled they appear to have stopped and remained standing until towards evening when Mr. Riley not having been seen by his friends for some time, search being made, he was found dead lying in the furrow. An inquest was held by Squire Cook of Marshall, and at first it was supposed that one of his horses had kicked him and caused his death; but after a close examination by Dr. A. H. Hall of Marshall that night and a post mortem next day a rifle ball was taken out of his head, showing that he had not come to his death as at was supposed from injuries. Statements made by persons living between Marshall and the murdered man's farm, resulted in the arrest of Harlan McCune who at present is in the county jail awaiting preliminary examination tomorrow, Tuesday. As the case thus stands it would not be in good taste make any further statements, than to say that the general public in the neighborhood are fully determined to leave nothing undone to have the guilty parties brought to justice. They feel that the public welfare demands, as less than three years ago, we had a man most foully murdered and with abundant testimony of the prisoners guilt, he was turned loose on the community to kill someone else if he had the inclination. All we wish or ask is a strict, close, and thorough investigation of this most brutal murder. Neither time nor money ought to be spared in this matter as it sometimes happens that the guilty escape through the negligence and carelessness of those in charge of such matters. -------- In addition to the above particulars from our correspondent, we can say that the evidence against McCune as the murderer, is reported to be about as follows: The murdered man, Riley, had some wheat stolen from his crib. He had, as he believed, good reason to suspect McCune of committing the theft. Noticing him a day or two before going to the mill with some wheat, he taking a specimen the wheat from his crib followed McCune to Coppock's Mill and there had the miller compare McCune's wheat with the sample he brought. The miller decided that the sample and McCune's wheat evidently came from the same crib. Riley and McCune here had an altercation, and as they parted McCune was heard to remark, "You will hear from me again." - Further than this the ball extracted from head of the victim, it has been, ascertained, was a rifle ball moulded for and found with a rifle that had been left with McCune's brother repair, and the prisoner, Harlan McCune, was seen with this rifle going to the farm of the murdered man and coming from the farm, but did not have it on his return home. And this rifle, which at first could not be found, has been since discovered where it had been secreted further , this man McCune does not bear a very good name, and though the evidence is thus circumstantial it yet seems to be conclusion and looks at this writing, as though there was little chance of his acquittal. It was, it seems, a cool, premeditated, deliberate murder, as if this man is guilty as it now seems, he will no doubt be punished to the full extent of the law. Messrs L.G. and L. Palmer, of this city have been retained for the defense and Messrs. Amblers for the prosecution. The preliminary examination commences at Marshall on Tuesday of this week, and will not probably be concluded in time for further particulars in this paper. Mount Pleasant (IA) Free Press 19 June 1879 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ MARSHALL MURDER; ANOTHER ACCOUNT On Thursday of last week the citizens of Marshall and vicinity were horrified by a report that a man had been killed in a field near town, and on further examination of the rumor it was found to be true. The facts of the crime were substantially as follows, as gathered from the general talk of people about Marshall. On last Thursday the murdered man went to his field some distance from his house to plow, and not coming home in regular time supper, at the suggestion of his friends it was proposed to look him up and see what had become of him, if anything. They started on the search and found his team wandering across the field and lying in a furrow the man stretched out in the ghastliness of death. He was taken home and a coroners jury summoned; and on the following day Dr. Hull assisted by John Walbank, made a post mortem examination and found that a rifle ball had struck the head below the left ear entering the base and lodging in the upper part of the brain The verdict of the coroners jury was as follows: "The said Wm. Riley came to death by a gunshot from some unknown person, said shot penetrating the brain thereby causing instantaneous death." On the 13th, a brother of the deceased brought an information against one Harlan McCune, a resident of Marshall charging him with having committed the crime. Mr. Frank Connor of Mt. Pleasant was sent for, and McCune was arrested and taken to jail in your city to await preliminary examination which was to have taken place yesterday. The preliminary examination was waived by the defendant who is now in jail in your city. Messrs. Amblers have been retained to assist in the prosecution, and L.G. and L.A. Palmer employed by the deft. to conduct his defense. The feeling at Marshall induced by this horrible crime is intense, but no disposition seems to manifest itself looking toward violence the prisoner. Men say if McCune is guilty he should be punished to the full extent of the law, but if he be found innocent all will be glad affirm it. A spirit of fairness seems to pervade the citizens of Marshall, and this will insure the defendant whoever he is of fair trial. Of course in this case there is a thousand and one theories as to the cause of the murder, and rumors of all hues and completion afloat as to the possibility of the deft. McCune being the real criminal. Suspicions in such cases always resting on the first person arrested. Between now and the November term of Dist. Court all these rumors, of fact and suspicions as to the defendants guilt will have crystalli down into solid evidence, and the feeling which now exists, will in a measure die out, so that the Grand Jury will find these indictment, ii any, fairly and impartially, not being mislead by rumor or report, or prejudiced by the feeling, which a recent outrage always awakens ar the trial on that occasion will hear the indictment read, and the prisoner be put to trial before twelve of his fellow~citizens, who shall find good or evil, to the person suspected, and by their verdict clear his character from the stain now resting upon it, or find him guilty as charged in the indictment. Note: Per Richard Riley's obituary; The man arrested of the crime broke jail and was never apprehended.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is William Riley's memorial?
William Riley's memorial is located at: Lattimore Baptist Cemetery, Lattimore, Cleveland County, USA.
When did William Riley death?
William Riley death on 12 Jun 1879 in Henry County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the William Riley's memorial?
Latitude: 35.4435997
Longitude: -81.6667023

Family Members:

Parent

John Riley

(1796 - 1862)

Teressa Benn Riley

(1795 - 1858)

Spouse

Mary Davis Riley

(1842 - 1874)

Siblings

George Riley

(1820 - 1855)

Richard Riley

(1831 - 1925)

Children

Edgar Riley

(1870 - 1871)

Ruel “Rule” Riley

(1871 - 1929)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Lattimore Baptist Cemetery
Lattimore, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4435997, -81.6667023

2. Lattimore Family Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4472810, -81.6658400

3. Ferrells Chapel Cemetery
Shelby, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4520000, -81.6660000

4. Brooks Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Shelby, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4461580, -81.6905520

5. Elliott Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4247017, -81.6781006

6. Mount Harmony Memorial Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4598700, -81.6858000

7. Calvary's Cross Baptist Cemetery
Lawndale, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4743690, -81.6791790

8. Polkville Baptist Church Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4167175, -81.6433716

9. Lucas Family Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4415210, -81.6235040

10. Green Cemetery
Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4075012, -81.6761017

11. Oak Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4337440, -81.6225710

12. Big Springs Baptist Cemetery
Hollis, Rutherford County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4366430, -81.7119510

13. Oak Grove United Methodist
Lawndale, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4322600, -81.6208300

14. Mount Zion Baptist Church Cemetery
Casar, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4843300, -81.6655900

15. Eaker Cemetery
Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4516983, -81.6144028

16. Price Family Cemetery
Hollis, Rutherford County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4548240, -81.7194440

17. Bridges Cemetery
New House, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4024630, -81.6885070

18. Allen Crowder Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3978780, -81.6550280

19. Lees Chapel United Methodist Church Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4860764, -81.6936951

20. Chitwood Family Cemetery
Rutherford County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4137190, -81.7136730

21. Crowder Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3927994, -81.6682968

22. Clover Hill United Methodist Church Cemetery
Lawndale, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4817500, -81.6246000

23. Augustus Wiggins Family Cemetery
Polkville, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.3931840, -81.6542530

24. Old Cloverhill Cemetery
Casar, Cleveland County, USA
Coordinate: 35.4826190, -81.6239550