in july 1872, after becoming convinced sales would provide more income than sign painting, he joined the mccrillus company based in anderson, indiana. the company sold patent medicines that they marketed using small traveling shows around indiana. riley joined the act as a huckster, calling himself the "painter poet". he traveled with the act, composing poetry and performing at the shows. after his act he sold tonics to his audience, sometimes employing dishonesty. during one stop, riley presented himself as a formerly blind painter who had been cured by a tonic, using himself as evidence to encourage the audience to purchase it.