Dear Mr. McCollum,

By FAR the best book ever written about the river pilots' monopoly was Edgar
M. Branch's MARK TWAIN AND THE STARCHY BOYS.  Quarry Farm Papers Series
(Elmira, NY: Center for Mark Twain Studies at Elmira College, 1992).  This
study ought to be much better known than it is.  Copies are still available
from the Center.  Write to Barbara Snedecor, Director.

Best wishes,
Alan Gribben