--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Snell, H. C. collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 10 number: 9 published: 1907-07 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: 'H. C. Snell, "A Pioneer Apostle," *Improvement Era* 10, no. 9 (July 1907): 663.' source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1009unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera1009unse start_page: 663 end_page: 663 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1907-07) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera1009unse publication_year: 1907 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1907, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # A Pioneer Apostle A PIONEER APOSTLE. Most persons remember the late Abraham Owen Woodruff for his kind and genial disposition. Few that have seen him but can recall his open, radiant face, in which all tender traits seemed to converge and find a fitting expression. But he did not lack in those sterner qualities which are equally necessary to a well-rounded character. Several incidents which occurred during the time he directed the Big Horn colonization work, show that he possessed great strength and courage. It was not an unusual thing during the building of the great canal to see Owen Woodruff off his horse, holding plow or scraper, that the discouraged might take heart by his example. Once the colonists seemed on the point of being defeated in their efforts to complete this watercourse, thirty-five miles long, which had been begun two years before. They looked longingly back to the fertile fields and comfortable homes they had exchanged for this desert waste, weary and sick at heart with the long struggle. At this critical time Brother Woodruff arrived from Salt Lake City. Sensing the situation he called a mass meeting. Those who attended will never forget the power and determination with which he spoke. Said he, "Before I see this colony fail, I will stay here and follow a scraper ten hours a day, until the last load of dirt is dragged from the bottom of the canal." And every man in the house knew that Owen Woodruff meant what he said. But they were not the men to permit him to do any such thing. His exam- ple had inspired them in the past, and it inspired them now, and with one mind they resolved to finish the work. H. C. Snell. Provo, Utah.