Hutton, May Arkwright

May Arkwright Hutton operated a boarding house in the Coeur d’Alene mining district. She and her husband, Levi, invested in the Hercules Mine, and when it struck silver ore in 1901 they found themselves suddenly very wealthy. They moved to Spokane in 1906 and attended their investments, while May identified herself with politics, especially the women’s suffrage movement. She wrote and lectured tirelessly, organizing and campaigning towards the state election of 1910, which brought the ballot to Washington women. While she was outspoken and colorful in expression, she was nevertheless astute in shunning radical activity, preferring to plan strategies and tactics.

From the guide to the May Arkwright Hutton Papers, 1908-1912, (Eastern Washington State Historical Society/Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture Joel E. Ferris Research Library and Archives)