H.R. West, known to nearly everyone in Chariton as Riley, was a man of great honor but humble circumstance --- the sort of guy whose passing some would expect to be sadly noted but not hugely mourned.
At 72, he had worked as a drayman for more than 20 years, hitching teams to wagons early mornings year around, taking only two days off a year, and hauling merchandise from the C.B.&Q. freight yard in northwest Chariton to the shops, stores and warehouses of the city's merchants and manufacturers.
He had moved west from Illinois to Chariton with his family immediately after the Civil War, farming for a time three miles south of town, then moving into the city to take up the work that would occupy him for the remainder of his life.
He was a member of First Christian Church, but didn't have time to be a "joiner." The exception came during March of 1888 when he was unexpectedly, after a stealth nomination by his neighbors, elected to City Council, representing the second ward. He made time for that and performed his duties so admirably that he was elected to a second term in March of 1890.
Then, on Sept. 21, 1890, age 72, he was fatally injured in an accident in his stable, crushed by a horse, and died the following morning, a Sunday. On Tuesday, all of the stores in Chariton closed for his funeral at the Christian Church, then hundreds if not thousands joined the procession to the Chariton Cemetery, where he was buried.
His passing was noted in all three of Chariton's newspapers, but The Democrat of Sept. 25 provided the best account of the circumstances:
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Last Saturday morning, Mr. H. R. West went out to his barn and found one of the horses tangled in its halter strap. In trying to liberate it, the horse, which was a restless one, suddenly reared up and threw itself heavily on the floor, catching Mr. West and crushing him badly.
He succeeded in liberating himself and walked part way to the house. He was carried in and medical aid was summoned. Dr. J. A. McKlveen quickly arrived, but as the injuries were almost entirely internal, medical skill could do but little for him. He suffered intensely until a little past five o'clock Sunday morning, when death relieved him.
H. R. West, or "Daddy West" as he was familiarly known, has been a citizen of Chariton for 23 years, and was one of the best known and universally respected men in the community. He was a man who held honesty above every other consideration, and there was not a man who knew him who would not have trusted him with any amount of money.
His honesty was proverbial in Chariton. He was generous to a fault, perhaps too generous for his own welfare.
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The report of Mr. West's death in The Patriot of Sept. 24 was the longest and most detailed, adding that "Always on hand, always reliable, probably not a merchant for 15 years has been to the depot to pay his freight, trusting it all to Mr. West. His only holidays were Jan. 1st and the Fourth of July. For 20 years he has only been out of the Incorporation three or four times, and on two of those occasions it was an official position in connection with his duties as alderman from the 2nd ward. The citizens of that ward having done themselves the honor of twice electing him to that position, which he filled with honor to himself and credit to the city. To him, we are indebted as much as to any other man for our present splendid Electric Light system."
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The Patriot report then continued with the following biographical information and account of his funeral:
Who was Riley West? He was one of God's Noblemen, an honest man, the noblest work of God. He was born in Hopkinsville, Kentucky, (on April 18, 1818) where he lived until quite a young man, when he removed to Warren county, Illinois, where he met and married Miss Sibbell Cooper (on April 18, 1837), the kind hearted wife and mother who now survives him.
Shortly after their marriage they moved to Mercer County, Ill., residing there for about 25 years, where by industry and frugality he acquired a fine farm and a competency. There his family of four boys and two girls were born. There his eldest son lies buried. In an evil hour, H.R. West, an honest man and believing every other man honest, signed notes with parties. These notes cost him his farm, his surplus money and stock. He paid them in full. Wishing to retrieve his fortune, he removed to Texas, raised one crop of cotton.
The war breaking out, he again returned to Mercer county, Ills., where he enlisted and served about four and one-half years in the army; received a gunshot wound in the leg at the battle of Chattanooga, besides being badly crushed and ruptured --- from the effects of which he never recovered.
After the war he returned again to Mercer county, where he is as universally respected as he is by his Chariton friends. Yesterday we buried him. All the stores were closed. Men, women and children turned out to pay their last respects to the dead. He did not belong to any secret society. He was not a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He was a member of the City Council, unsought by himself.
The Grand Army took charge of the ceremonies, the City Council participated, the Sons of Veterans, the Daughters of Veterans, the Fire Department, and thousands of citizens were in line. Why this demonstration? He was a soldier, a good citizen, an honest man. The truest legacy any man can leave his family, and happily his wife and all his sons and daughters were present to witness the respect paid his memory.
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Mrs. West continued to live in Chariton until her own death six years later, during March of 1896, age 78. Her grave never was marked. His tombstone is located just north of the Chariton Cemetery's G.A.R. section, inside the main gate along the first turn south and to the left some distance beyond.
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