Online Source: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~mtcarmelcemetery/mtcarmel.pdf
Extracted from The Blocton Enterprise (Blocton, AL)
DEATH OF A VETERAN AND PIONEER CITIZEN
Mr. Martin Riley, a Confederate veteran and a pioneer citizen of Blocton, died
at his home here on Monday morning about 4:30, after a long illness during which
he was a great sufferer.
Mr. Riley was 70 years of age on Jan. 4th, and had made
Blocton his home for over twenty-five years. He was a true and faithful soldier
during the war of the sixties, and after the war came back to Bibb County.
In 1877 he married Mrs. Callie Hill. To this union seven children were born, all of
whom, together with his widow, survive him.
Mr. Riley was of a genial
disposition and counted his friends by the score. He was a member of the Baptist
Church and expressed himself as being ready to go.
The remains were interred at
Mt. Carmel Cemetery Tuesday morning, followed to their last resting place by a
host of sorrowing relatives and friends. The floral offerings were profuse and
beautiful, attesting the love and sympathy of their many friends. The Confederate
Veterans of Camp Clayton, of which he was a member, marched in a body to the
residence, and from thence to the cemetery. The pallbearers were also
Confederate Veterans. Rev. Thos P. Dean of the Baptist Church and H. F. Crim
of the Methodist Church conducted the funeral services. Unusually sweet music
was rendered by a special choir, directed by Mr. Robt. Keith.
The deceased was
surrounded by his children and loved ones, with the exception of one daughter,
who was unable to attend, and to all of these the sympathy of the entire
community is extended.
Thursday, January 11, 1917