May: The Hard-Rock Life of Pioneer May Arkwright Hutton

by Mary Barmeyer O'Brien

An adventurous single woman who knew how to cook, twenty-three-year-old May Arkwright moved — alone — to the remote valleys of northern Idaho in 1883. She opened a one-table restaurant for the silver prospectors near Wallace, serving her homemade berry pies and hot dishes. Before long, she was a well-known part of the fledgling mining district.
May, a large, outspoken woman who favored low-cut, brightly colored dresses, scandalized the “proper” women of town. But her self-confidence and ease with people helped her make important friends among the miners, merchants, and railroad men who ate at her table. After she met and married local train engineer Al Hutton, the two invested in a mine upstream from Wallace. After several long years they struck it rich and moved to Spokane, where May spent the rest of her life working on philanthropic projects that still affect residents of the Pacific Northwest to this day.  As related through the skilled storytelling of Mary Barmeyer O’Brien, this larger-than-life woman’s story adds a compelling new element to the history of the West.

208 pages, Paperback

First published August 6, 2013

Reviews

[David Crawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Wonderful Rags to Riches Historical Love Story … This is a beautifully constructed biography of a wonderful historical character of the inland Pacific Northwest from the late 1800s and early 1900s. May Arkwright Hutton’s life is a rags to riches story which details how she and her husband, Al, literally struck it rich years after investing in and working a small mining claim. The book includes a fascinating history of mining in the Silver Valley of Northern Idaho and the early towns of Wallace, Wardner Junction, Eagle City, Burke, Murrayville and, later, the City of Spokane where the two finally settled and spread their wealth as they became prominent as generous philanthropists. The book is also a love story featuring this unlikely couple who were utterly devoted to one another. I highly recommend this book for all readers but especially for residents of this area who are interested in local history. – David B. Crawley, M.D. – Author of “Steep Turn: A Physician's Journey from Clinic to Cockpit” and “A Mile of String: A Boy's Recollection of His Midwest Childhood.”

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book! I had a special interest in reading it because it takes place in Wallace, ID and Spokane, WA. The book is written in novel form so it is enjoyable to read. I came to love May and her spunk. She was outspoken, flamboyant and looked down on by the "proper" women of town. She had a serving heart and grit to survive. Her and her husband were very generous when they had nothing and when they struck it rich. Their legacy continues on in Spokane.

[Tanya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Easy read and entertaining. The local connection added to it a lot, as my office is in the Paulsen building kitty corner to the Hutton Building. Along with various trips thru Wallace to ride the Hiawatha trail. Can't help but wonder if/how the trail connects to Al's train route.

[Marie Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun historical account (probably borders on historical fiction) of an amazing woman! The author makes the history of the Inland Northwest accessible through her depiction of May Arkwright Hutton and her husband Al Hutton. Having lived in Spokane for a decade myself, I was delighted by the final part of the book. "Oh, hey! I know that place!" Very fun, even if I feel that the first part of the book focused a little too much on the Al's courtship with May.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have long been fascinated by May Arkwright Hutton and reading this book gave me an insight into who was this most amazing woman. This part of her story deals mostly with the time she lived in Idaho, met her husband, and became a mine owner. This book answered some of the questions I had about May Hutton. It is written in a novel-like format, so is easy and enjoyable to read. Thank you, Mary Barmeyer O'Brien.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This 200 page book had all the facts, was positive, as was May Arkwright Hutton. Author wrote in a style very readable for students, when compared with Liberated woman by Montgomery, it didnt have all the quotes, but her spirit was there. What a inspiratiom and wonder for North Idaho and Spokane history.

[Terri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I live in Spokane and I have a friend who was raised in the Hutton Settlement, so I picked up this book out of curiosity and I’m so glad I did! A well-researched picture of past life in this area with details that only a local would know. Enjoyed every page and I’m looking forward to reading more from this author.

[Mary Padilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting read about May Hutton who lived in Idaho and Spokane. Started off poor but was always helping others. She spent her life helping women's rights. As she got older she always made sure people were taken care of. I wish I would of read this before our trip to Spokane and Wallace. Next trip plan to explore more on her life!

[June Sadlick · Rating 4 out of 5]

great read. I can't imagine living during such difficult times. after visiting Wallace Idaho this summer I had to read about May.

[Deidria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Roundup to 3.5. The writing style seemed to target a young adult audience.

[Pat Partovi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book quite interesting since it covers a lot of history of my local area and May Arkwright Hutton is a fascinating character who had a significant impact on women's voting rights and local charities. I was disappointed in the writing style, though, and frequently found the dialog trite. The book would have been better written as a biography instead of a fictionalized version of her life.

[Courtney Oppel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an inspiring story of a strong, honest woman who followed her heart to the West, never flinched from hard work, and left behind a legacy of compassion. O'Brien is a wonderful writer who binds together the sparse bits and pieces of history and tells a compelling, multi-faceted story.

[Mallory Witham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating story. So well written and well researched! Loved this because it is local history and I had never heard of May before. What an extraordinary woman.