Boy Scout Dramas: Snow Bound

Boy Scout Dramas Snow Bound (Dramatized from an incident in the life of Wilfovd Woodruff) By PRESTON W. POND Introduction: A Boy Scout dressed in uniform appears in front of the curtain and recites: A SCOUT is reverent. He is reverent toward God, he is faithful in his religious du- ties and respects the convictions of others in matters of custom and religion. A Scout is kind. He is a friend to animals, he will not kill nor hurt any living creature needlessly, but will strive to save and protect all harmless life. The great Scouts of Pioneer days lived the Scout Law, although it was then unwritten. Its principles are a part of every truly great char- acter. Probably in no one of our early pioneers were these principles exemplified to a greater extent than in the life of Wilford Woodruff. He was a man of great spirituality and faith in God. Because of this great faith and his never failing at- tention to prayer, throughout his wholq life he was blessed with promptings and warnings from the spirit of the Lord. In heeding these warnings his own life and the lives of many others were spared upon numerous occasions. TN the autumn of 1871 Elder A Woodruff was visiting one of his families in Randolph, Rich county. The weather was very stormy and he had been impressed for days to commence his journey back to Salt Lake City, but his family had urged him to stay. Finally on Saturday morning, November 25 th, he set out. When about fifteen miles from Wasatch, a blinding snow storm came up, driven by a heavy wind blowing directly into his face. In a few minutes he could not see the road. He let his lines loose and trusted to his faithful horses to find the way. At 9 o'clock that night he pulled into Wasatch with the hubs of the wagon dragging in the snow. He called upon Brother George Rowley, an engineer and the one Latter-day Saint in the place, who assisted him to get the horses under shelter, and gave him a bunk house to sleep in. He arose Sunday morning and found the snow nearly three feet deep and still falling thick and fast. It looked very gloomy and he did not know what course to pursue. The dramatization goes on from this point. (The curtain opens. Wilford Woodruff is seen walking the floor uneasily.) W. W.: If I had only heeded the warning of the spirit, the promptings of my monitor, and left Randolph last Monday, this would all have been avoided. (Looks out window or door) . I am snow bound indeed. It would be a simple matter to take the train to Ogden and save myself; but what of my horses? To leave them here would be to leave them to a death of starvation and exposure. I simply cannot desert them after the noble struggle they made yes- terday, for they saved my life. I gave them the last bit of hay last night, and Brother Rowley said there is no grain to be bought at any price and that Perry Hammond is the only one with hay, and he a bitter apostate. What am I to do? Oh Father, What am I to do? (Enter Rowley covered with snow which he stamps off his feet and brushes off his clothes.) Rowley: Good morning, Broth- er Woodruff, if you would term such a morning a good one. W. W.: Good morning, Broth- er Rowley. Rowley: I hope you rested well. W. W.: Not so well. I could not sleep for thinking of the pre- dicament I find myself in, and the fact that it might all have been avoided if I had acted as I was impressed. Rowley: Are the horses all right? W. W. : They are worn and hungry. Rowley: I went to see Ham- mond and asked him to call on you. I haven't much faith in your securing any feed from him. He has the only hay available, but he is so bitter since his apostasy, that no Mormon could expect succor of any kind at his hands. (Enter Hammond — Business of stamping off snow.) Hammond: What's the idea, Rowley, calling me out in a bliz- zard like this? Rowley: Brother Woodruff, this is Mr. Hammond. (W. W. offers to shake hands. Hammond re- fuses. ) Hammond: Huh! Woodruff! I know you all right. A man could- n't be connected with your cursed religion as long as I was without knowing too much about the scheming tyrants who lead it. (To Rowley) Well, what do you want? W. W.: Mr. Hammond, I need some hay for my horses. I brought but a small amount from Ran- dolph, thinking that there would be sufficient grass for them; but this snow — (Hammond cuts him off.) Hammond (to Rowley) : So this is what you brought me out in this storm for. I thought there must be a nigger in the wood pile — a Mormon apostle in trouble. Hay for a Mormon's horses. Ha! Ha! Ha! Well, I guess not. Not at any price, Sir. Why, I'd see you in hell first. (Exits angrily.) Rowley: I was afraid he would refuse. (Enter Havens, closing the door hurriedly as the snow drifts in and the wind whistles. Stamping and brushing, etc.) Havens: Phew! What a storm! (Curtly) I shouldn't have left the station, Rowley, but after you left I thought I'd better come and look the situation over. I suppose this is Woodruff that you were telling me about? Rowley: Yes, and Brother Woodruff, this is Mr. Havens, the Union Pacific agent and operator. I talked with him this morning about your arriving last night and about your dire necessity. W. W. : How do you do, Mr. Havens. I had it in mind to call on you to see if you could arrange to ship my outfit and myself to Ogden.

694 The Improvement Era for August, 1930 Havens: Impossible! Impossi- ble! In the first place we haven't a car and in the second place, if we did have, we haven't equip- ment for loading. We shipped it all to Evanston a month ago. W. W. : But you could order me a car from Evanston or Ogden? Havens: What good would the car do? You couldn't load after you got it here, and besides, I haven't been able to get a wire through to either place this morn- ing. The storm has probably wrecked our wires. W. W. : But will you keep try- ing to reach them? Havens: Well, of course, if you've got the money to pay for the car, I'll try. W.W.: I haven't the money, Mr. Havens, but I can get it when I get to Ogden. Havens: Such an arrangement would be against the rules of ihe company, and quite impossible. Of course, you could take a train in, but to ship your team and wagon is quite out of the question. I'm sorry. (Moves toward the door.) Good morning. (Exits) Rowley: Brother Woodruff, I must go for a while to attend to my engine, but I'll come back later. (Exits) W. W. : My poor horses! No feed, no water, and I am respon- sible. I have exhausted every re- source and no help available. Why should my horses suffer for my failure to heed the warning of the spirit. Father, forgive my negli- gence and send me help. (Curtain closes to suggest the passing of a day's time. This should be announced before the dramatization begins.) (As curtain opens slowly, Wil- ford Woodruff is found on his knees in the attitude of prayer. Af- ter a moment he rises.) (Enter Rowley) W. W. : Good morning, Brother Rowley, I have just poured out my soul in prayer to the Lord, and I feel impressed that a way of deliv- erance will be opened up. Rowley: I am glad, Brother Woodruff, to be able to report the first good news. Carpenter, the section foreman here, has ten Chi- namen shoveling snow. He has just about succeeded in clearing the east siding. I can run my en- gine onto it and get within a short distance of where your horses are sheltered. I can drain water from the engine to relieve their thirst. W. W. : Thanks, Brother Row- ley, that's a great relief. I have been wallowing around in snow up to my arm pits to see if there was anything, I could do, but I found myself helpless. I spoke to Carpenter, but he said he had no right to take his men from the rail- road to dig out a span of horses. I feel it my duty to do all in my power to save their lives — for they surely saved mine by bringing me here through the blinding storm. Rowley: Well, I'll go now and give them a drink. (Exits) (Enter Havens) . Havens: Mr. Woodruff, I have checked with Evanston and find that it can be arranged to pay for your transportation upon arriving in Ogden. I've had a box car set off on the siding. We'll have to get a special engine to take you to Ogden. It will cost you twenty- six dollars. It would ordinarily be a hundred and fifty dollars. There is a pile of planking just north of the station. I have thought that it might be possible to build a staging to the platform and then into the car, and in that way load your team and wagon: but it will require a good deal of labor. I have tried to get Carpen- ter to use his Chinamen to do this work. He is rather reluctant, how- ever, but I have asked him to come here to talk it over with you. W. W.: Mr. Havens, I greatly appreciate what you have done — Havens: That's all right, Mr. Woodruff, you may depend upon me to do all I can to help you out. (Enter Carpenter and Ching Lee) . Havens: Carptenter, I have just told Mr. Woodruff that you may use your men to help get his team and wagon loaded. Carpenter: Well, I ain't got no business to use the railroad's men to help you, but I guess the com- pany'd not want to see two po' hosses left to die for the need of a little help. W. W.: Mr. Carpenter, your help will be — Carpenter: It' sal right! It'sal right. Ching Lee, go tell the boys to get axes, hammers, saws from section house and bring your shov- els, quick! Ching Lee: Me telle bloys quick. (Exits) W. W. : That is very good. We can first build the platform, then dig a trail to it from the team and wagon. (Exit Carpenter) . Now, if I only had some hay for the horses all would be well. Mr. Havens, is there any possibility of getting hay this side of Ogden? Havens: I'm afraid not, Mr. Woodruff, but — (Enter Hammond) Hammond: Well, Woodruff, I've not been able to get that hungry team of yours off my mind. I guess I can spare a little hay for them. W. W. : Mr. Hammond, I wish to thank you sincerely for this kindness. I'll be glad to pay you well for it.. Hammond: I don't want your rotten pay, and I want you to un- derstand that it's not to help a Mormon polygamist that I let you have the hay. I'll fetch it over. Where do you want it placed? W. W.: The horses are in the store house north of the east sid- ing. I'll be glad to help dig a path to it. Hammond: Don't want your help. (Exits grumbling) Havens: I'll order the engine from Evanston, Mr. Woodruff. W. W. (with eyes raised heav- enward) : I am grateful, Father, for all thy mercies. Curtain Feed Them Rather Than Fig,ht Them By MINNIE MOORE BROWN Place: Near Pleasant Grove. Time: 1854. Scene: A glade by a little stream, near an Indian encampment. A camp-fire, recently used; some uten- sils, etc. Introduction A Boy Scout appears before the curtain, salutes and says: "A Scout is Friendly." Perhaps no man has exhibited

The Improvement Era for August, 1930 695 this high Scout ideal more than did Brigham Young in his deal- ings with the Indians. "It is bet- ter to feed them than to fight them" was his motto. This en- gendered a feeling of confidence, of security, of friendliness that was a new voice in the history of Amer- ica's dealing with the redman. Down on the Spanish Fork, Brigham Young labored patiently for three days to gain the friendli- ness and confidence of old Chief Walker and his tribe, and finally after an outstanding exhibition of patience and friendliness, succeeded in winning the old Chief's regard and his good will. The curtain opens revealing a group of Mormon men, just dis- mounted. They carry rifles, arc wearing large hats, etc. Wilford Woodruff: It's nearly sunset, Brother Brigham. Brigham Young: Yes, and I know what you mean. It's been a trying day. We'll have supper. W. W. : Has the fire gone out? Another Man: Yes, but we'll soon fix that. W. W. : We've been gone six hours. Is Chief Walker still here? Another: He must be lying over there in the dirt yet. I can see Tulpidge standing by that tree. B. Y.: Poor Indians! My heart misgives me when I think how they are treated by the whites! W. W. : They try your patience, though, Brother Brigham. We've been around here three days now, waiting for Chief Walker to speak. What does he gain by this stub- bornness? B. Y. : You must always re- member that the Indians are prim- itive people. They have their own ways of expressing themselves. We must be patient. Get a good sup- per, and we'll call Tulpidge over here again. W. W.: Let us call him now, Brother Brigham, and see what he says. B. Y. : You go and see if you can get Tulpidge and Walker to come over. (He seats himself on stump. Others busy themselves about the fire, bringing water, wood, etc.) I must speak to the saints at Pleasant Grove and give them a warning. Their stacks are so sit- uated that the Indians could set fire to the whole place and shoot the people down. While the men are fighting the fire, the Indians could kill every woman and child and then the men. I am worried with what I have seen on this ride today. (W. W. returns with Tulpidge, a sad- faced young warrior.) W. W. : Here is Tulpidge. Chief Walker is still lying in the dirt. jB. Y. : (saluting Indian fash- ion) : Will Chief Walker talk now to me? We are his friends.. Tulpidge: Mormon chief go to him — he git up and speak! jB. Y. (rising) : I will go. (He goes, while others watch interest- edly) . W. W. : Look at that. Brother Brigham has raised him from the ground. Walker looks old and broken. They are coming. (J3. Y. enters with Indians. He returns to his seat and his men gather around him. Walker stands dejectedly and Tulpidge turns his back, with folded arms under his blanket.) B. Y.: Chief Walker, we are friends. Please believe us. Our words are true — not lying words. Why do you lie in the dirt? Walker (slowly lifting his head) : Indians have no spirit. In- dian have no heart. Walker no wish to talk. Walker listen — •white Chief talk. B. Y. : Here are some gifts for you. We have prepared food. Come and eat with us. (He hands pack- age to W. W., who hands it to an- other, who offers it to Walker, who refuses it. The man keeps it.) Tulpidge (turning around) : Koda! Koda! Me faithful friend. Walker: Tuchi! Yoahti! Tulpidge: Koda! Koda! Walker (kindly): Koda! (Tulpidge holds out his hands for gifts, receives them, and hands them to Walker.) B. Y.: We have also brought you some beef cattle for a present. They are fat. Kill and eat. Feed your tribe. The buffalo is the In- dian's cattle. If the white man drive and kill the red man's cattle, the white man should give some- thing in exchange. We did not kill your people nor steal your cat- tle. Nevertheless, take these fat steers we brought, and let us be at peace. Tulpidge (crying out, with spread arms) : Wisaskasit! Wisas- kasit! In the lonely heart of Tul- pidge, clouds shade the sun! Who give Tulpidge back his squaw, his papoose, Tibawara, little pine tree? Tulpidge all alone in wigwam. Tulpidge sit and weep in wigwam. Tulpidge no hear the tread of little pine tree's feet. (He sobs) W. W. : His wife and child were killed. (Explaining to B. Y.) Tulpidge: White people happy in heaven. White man's God good. Great Spirit forget red man. Walker: Great Spirit's face turn away from red man. Tulpidge (still moaning) : Who guides little Tibawara to Happy Hunting Grounds? B. Y. (rising and placing hand on shoulder of T.) : Be at peace, Tulpidge. The great spirit made us all. The white man's God is the Indian's God. He will care for your people just as he will care for mine. Tulpidge: You talk good. You tell us good words. If White Chief speak truth, show us white God loves red children. Walker (pointing) : Over there sick child. Make magic of Mor- mon prayers. So show good heart. jB. Y. (drops his head as if to pray. His men all bow their heads. The Indians watch anxiously and exchange glances) : Take me to the sick child. (Tulpidge leads him out) . Walker (watches them go and then turns back and says to the group) : Redskin papoose go Hap- py Hunting Ground, another child be killed — bear him company. Sa — Sa — Kuon ! Maybe Mormon Child. W. W. (calmly) : No, Walker, that is a wicked, cruel custom. We do not have such customs among the Mormons. God does not let the souls of little children be lonely on their journey to the Great Fa- ther. He sends his angels to take care of the souls of those who die and bring them safely back to Him. Walker: Long journey — lonely! Sa — Sa — Kuon! (He folds his arms and waits) . W. W.: They are not lonely with the angels along. Walker: Ugh! (hopelessly). (Brigham Young and Tulpidge return) . B. Y.: The child will recover. Walker, you need no longer be sad. The child will live. Walker (looks keenly at B. Y., then turns to Tulpidge) . Tulpidge (pointing upward) : Wi-ta-lu! Wit-hah-pi! Walker: Sing me Mormon mu- sic. So make heart glad again. ( They decide on a song and sing one verse and chorus. Could be "Oh, Stop and Tell Me, Red Man") .(Continued on page 698)