I was in the Humanitarian building where I was talking about how pioneer women may have used shawls. Every item of clothing was precious to them because they could take so little in their handcarts. (17 pounds per person.) I explained that shawls had many purposes, maybe to keep warm or perhaps bury the dead in. I was wearing a shawl that day so I think maybe that is why I shared this story about Ann Waddell Stewart and was so touched by it.
A shawl was one thing most women kept with them. In the October snow storm, enduring subzero temperatures with relentless winds, Ann strapped her six month old baby to her body with her large paisley shawl. She then put her nearly frozen husband into her handcart, throwing away most of their possessions to make room for him. Then pulled him this way for seven days until the rescue teams found them and helped her.
At the rescue site at Rock Creek Hollow, fifteen people died, thirteen buried in a common grave. Ann’s husband John seemed to be frozen to death. He was placed with the others on the ground awaiting burial when Ann discovered that he was still breathing. She dragged him to the fire and with the help of others revived him.
Ann, John and their two children all made it to Salt Lake City in November 1856.
