In 1862, 14-year-old Mary Wanlass Hutchings (1848-1907) led her four younger siblings and bedridden father, Jackson Russell Wanlass (1823-1864), from Missouri to Lehi after they were left behind by their wagon train.

Before Jane, Jackson’s wife and Mary’s stepmother, died in 1862, she said to Mary, "Don't give your father any peace ‘til he goes to the Rocky Mountains.” Mary promised she would take the family to Zion even if she had to go alone. They set out from Missouri but were set back more than a week when Jackson Russell suffered a debilitating stroke. They were left so far behind their wagon train, they would never catch up.

Mary assumed the role of mother and caregiver to the 4-year-old twins, 6-year-old Sarah, 9-year-old Jackson and their bedridden father. Day after day they trudged through a country overrun by lawless renegades—men who had deserted Civil War armies and were foraging for themselves. When they reached the Platte River, they should have crossed it, but instead continued on the west side, which unknowingly isolated them from other wagon trains and led them through hostile country. They saw Native Americans every day. Sometimes they were talkative and friendly while other times they were sullen and painted with war paint.

The hand of the Lord was manifest in their behalf throughout the whole journey. One evening, when they encountered an extra strong whirlwind. It picked up one of the twins and dropped her in the middle of the river. Mary plunged in to bring her out. How? She did not know because she knew nothing about swimming.

After weeks of traveling alone, they met their uncle, William Wanlass, who helped

them build a dugout home to live in during their first winter in Lehi. It was on the northeast corner of 100 East and Main Street.

On Mar. 12, 1864, Mary married William L. Hutchings.  The couple were the parents of John Hutchings, founder of the Hutchings Museum. Jackson Russell died Oct. 31, 1864.

Information taken from “Girl Pioneer” by Kathryn Wanlass Knight, 2022, and “They Came Alone,” by an unidentified author.

In the April 2025 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Elder Hans T. Boom of the Seventy shared Mary’s story in his talk, “True to the Faith that Our Parents have Cherished.”