The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1922-10-05
Remains of Captain
Riley Laid to Resi-
(By R. P. Bellinger.)


berg citizen, Capt William Allen
Riley, who was impressively laid tc
rest in the Orangeburg cemetery
Thursday morning. Funeral services
for this grand old man of the sixties
were first conducted from his late
home, 19 Orange Court, Orangeburg,
at 1870 in the morning, during which
his pastor, the Rev. Thos. G. Herbert,
spoke a beautiful and solemn tribute
to him and his noble life as an eX-
ample worthy of us all to strive to
emulate. The services at the home
and at the grave were conducted by
the Rev. T. G. Herbert, the Rev. A. c.
Walker and the Rev. S. O. Cantey, all
prominent Methodist ministers, the
two first named being from Capt.
Riley's adopted home, Orangeburg;
and the last named being pastor of
Trinity church, this city, OF which
CONGREGATION the deceased was at one
time a beloved member.
William Allen Riley was born De-
cember Oath, 1S4S, in old Barnwell
county. He died suddenly September
26th, 1922, at his home in Orange
burg. He was one of the gallant i'm
mortals who in their early teens en-
listed for service in the Confederate
army, and with their usual fortitude
braved the hardships of the cam
paigns during the waning years of the
Confederacy. He was a member OF
Camp Thos. J. Glover, United Con-
federate Veterans, of Orangeburg.
and these lovable old veterans also
took part officially. in the sad rites
to their heroic comrade. Stiles R..
Mellichamp presided over their part
of the ceremonies at the grave touch
ingly and with an emphatic feeling of
devotion. Fred A. Schif1ey, adjutant
of the camp, also assisted in the veter-
ans services; while J. ]. Fairey, camp
commander, placed the iron cross, the
orders supreme emblem of honor,
upon the grave. Mrs. Mollie Fairey,
representing the Paul McMichael
chapter of the United Daughters of
the Confederacy, Of Orangeburg, also
placed upon the grave their emblem,
the wreath of ivy. The entire service
held by the veterans was beautiful in
it's sincerity and simplicity.
Capt. Riley at the age of nineteen
united his faith with the Methodist
Episcopal Church, South, and
throughout his career led a devout
and consecrated Christian life. He
was Master Mason. He married Miss
Rosa Pauline Barker, of Sycamore,
then Barnwell county, and she sur
wives him. In January, 1921, Capt.
and Mrs. Riley celebrated their gold
en- anniversary. Capt. Riley was one
of the prime movers in the successful
effort to form Hampton county where
he went to live as a very young man.
He was particularly active in the re-
demption of the state from radical
rule in the turmoil of 1875, gaining
his title as captain of one of the
famous red shirt companies Of those
stirring times when he, bravely led
his Hampton men in rush to the
memorable scene Of the Ellentop
riots; he also later became colonel
on Governor Hampton's staff.
Many Bamberg people attended the
funeral, for here was where Capt
Riley moved in 1885 to spend the
greater portion of his life in useful
ness and service to his fellow man.
He was better known here than else
where and universally loved and hon
ored by ALL. both young and old. For
nearly a score of years he was prom
inently connected with the Bamoerg
Banking company, and he also had
considerable farming interests in this
county. He remained here until 1916
when he and his estimable family
moved to Orangeburg. His popularity
was attested by the many handsome
floral tributes. Truly it can be said:
"Well done, good and faithful serv-
ant: enter thou into the joys of thy
Lord"
The pail bearers were: Honorary:
w. l.. Glover, J. G. Williams and T..
R. Lilies. of Orangeburg, and John
H. Cope, C. R. Brabham, Sr., D. F.
Hooton, A. L. Kirkland and V. j.
Hartzog, of Bamburg; active, Il. r.
Bellinger, of Bamberg, DR.. William
K. Walker, DR.. J. G. Wannamaker, OF
Orangeburg, and James H. Black, OF
University of South Carolina, George
Warren and E. J. Webb, of Hampton,
J. NJ. Riley, of Allendale, and R. W.