Riley has been listed as a gunfighter in some historical accounts. He was mentioned in "The Gunfighter-Man or Myth", by Joseph G. Rosa. However, there are no indications that he was ever in any other gunfights short of this one. Some believe Riley died soon after from his poor health. But the legend has it that Riley was not dying. He was explained in writings from the time as being gaunt, emaciated, and scarecrow like, with no mention of a sickness causing these things. Now many jump to thinking he was dying because of those descriptions but he could have just been a thin, frail looking young man. It is said that he moved East across the Mississippi River where he settled at a plantation. Either way, he disappeared from historical record.