"Salt Lake City Cemetery", in Arcadia's
Images of America series (by Sexton Mark E. Smith with Corey Rushton and Annastasia Hirt), has some very good reading about the origins of the cemetery and this little girl's story in it.
Mary Melissa Wallace had what they would have later called a "thrilling adventure," but didn't live to be aware of it. She was born at Winter Quarters -- part of North Omaha, NE today -- as the Mormon pioneers made their trek from Nauvoo, IL to the Salt Lake Valley. They made camp there to prepare and to avoid even-rougher weather ahead on the trail, but ultimately, little Mary made a journey of over 900 miles by wagon. Her father, George B. Wallace, was co-captain of a group of 223 pioneers, and they arrived here in 1847.
Disease and related ailments had been a problem at Winter Quarters, and Mary and her brother, George C. Wallace, died of diarrhea in 1847. Mr. Wallace looked for a nice place to bury her, away from hustle and bustle but close enough that his family could visit. When the Salt Lake City Cemetery was officially established around the burial ground (used per his suggestion), Mr. Wallace fittingly served as its first sexton, and a photo of the official cemetery death record is in the gallery. Presumably, the writing is in Mr. Wallace's hand, and George C. Wallace is listed right below Mary's entry. Findagrave does note that there are conflicting accounts of events: Note George's earlier death date, for example.
A gray granite monument obviously was placed here long after 1847, and it notes other Wallace family members buried here. Mr. Wallace himself is buried in another section of the cemetery, but within view (see gallery) is the final resting place of Wilford Woodruff, the fourth President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Keep in mind that the Wallaces were practicing polygamy, and note names from the Book of Mormon ("Moroni") and the LDS hierarchy ("Heber" and "Brigham"). On the ground on a stake is also a small gold plate marking the final resting place of those who made the initial journey to Salt Lake. The family name, "Wallace", is on the front plinth, and the front reads:
Children of
Geo. B & Hannah D.
Wallace
Sarah E.
Born Aug. 15, 1853,
Died Oct. 24, 1853.
---
Brigham
Born Sep. 2, 1855,
Died Apr. 16, 1859.
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Heber
Born Sep. 2, 1855,
Died Mar. 3, 1859.
---
Moroni
Born Jan. 13, 1868,
Died Apr. 26, 1883.
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Side two reads:
Children of
Geo. B. & Melissa M.
Wallace
Mary M.
Born
Jan. 8, 1847,
Died Sep. 27, 1848
---
George C.
Born
June 12, 1848
Died Aug. 4, 1848.
---
Louisa K.
Born
Sep. 20, 1849,
Died Dec. 13, 1865.
---
William A.
Son of
James L. & Mary E. Wallace
Garrett
Born Dec. 5, 1882,
Died Dec. 2, 1883.
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Side three is blank, while side four reads:
Lydia D.
Wife of
Geo. B. Wallace
Born
July 15, 1830
Died Mar. 8, 1869.
and Children
Loretta D.
Born
Jan. 1, 1866,
Died Sep. 2, 1876.
---
Wm. Heber
Born
Oct. 6, 1854,
Died Nov. 6, 1855.
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Alfred
Son of
Alfred & Sarah E. Wallace
Addis
Died Apr. 26, 1868
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