W. P. Riley Eddy County, New Mexico

W. P. Riley came to the Territory in the fall of 1887 and spent the winter at La Luz. In the fall of that year the Peñasco went through to the Pecos, and in 1888 the first ditch was taken out of Peñasco by John A. Beckett. It was also in the fall of 1888 that Mr. Riley filed on his present place, two and a quarter miles west of Hope. He has four hundred acres here, including a large orchard and fine fields of alfalfa. The orchard covers fifteen acres and he produces some excellent fruit. He has raised some pears weighing two pounds each.

Mr. Riley is a very progressive citizen, constantly seeking out new methods for improvement and advancement, and is one the prominent and influential men of the community. Recently he has established an automobile line from Artesia to Hope, with two machines. He is in touch with modern advancement and has conducted his interests along lines of improvement which make him a leader in the movements.

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Source: History of New Mexico, Its Resources and People, Volume II, Pacific States Publishing Co., 1907.