Amos Wright: The adventures of Amos Wright, Mormon frontiersman

At the age of 10 Amos walked across the plains (1500 miles) from Missouri to Salt Lake City, Utah. As his pioneer company rested at Ft. Laramie he became fascinated with the Indians, a fascination that lasted a lifetime. He moved with his parents to Brigham City, Utah in 1854, and he and his brothers and sister played with the Indian children near their home. He learned from the Indians when he was young, and when not working or doing chores, he could usually be found in the Indian camp at the edge of town. As an adult he dressed in buckskins and moccasins and his hair was long most of the time. In May of 1855 and at the age of 15, Amos was called to be a missionary to the Indians for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS), commonly known as the Mormons. He and Lewis Shurtliff, along with a few others, were called to explore and settle the Salmon River country of Idaho. The company went by way of Bear River City, through Malad valley and crossed the Snake River at a point south of Idaho Falls. Arriving in the Salmon River valley a fort was established and stockades built. Early in the spring of 1856 crops were planted at what is now known as Ft. Lemhi. Mose's knowledge of the Shoshone Indian language served as a great help to him and his companions during their stay in that section, and later on in his life.