For all of you who are researching the lineage of James Edmonds who arrived in Union Parish and settled in the Shiloh area in the 1840's, I have come across a tidbit of interesting information and need some research help. In most of the histories of Farmerville and Union Parish, there is reference to the first steamboat on Bayou D'Arbonne, the "Pioneer". This boat traveled between Stein's Bluff and Monroe, generally twice a week carrying passengers and cargo. In a newspaper article and in court records, I have determined that the owner of the Pioneer was James Edmonds. While on a business trip to Bossier City this week, I stopped in at the library's history center. (Can't go to a new town and not check out what they may have genealogy wise!!). There, I discovered a book called Way's Packet Directory, 1848-1994, Revised Edition, compiled by Frederick Way, Jr. Listed in the book was the information on the Pioneer. Sternwheeler packet (means it carried cargo and passengers), wooden hull, built in Gasconade, Missouri in 1866. Measured 102.8 feet by 20.4 feet with a 3.7 foot draft. Made a trip to New Orleans owned in part by W. O. Clark and F. Thurman, St. Louis. Sold December 1866 to Capt. William H. King, New Orleans. Sold to Capt. J. W. Carlton and others, New Orleans. Sold June 1868 to JOHN R. CLARKE, UNION PARISH, LA. Sold March 1869 to CAPT. JAMES EDMUNDS, New Orleans. Sank and lost at Trenton, LA, September 4, 1870. For those familiar with the Edmonds line, you will recall that John R. Clark was James Edmonds's brother-in-law, having married James's sister, Martha. This is the help that I need. If anyone has access to the Monroe library and can review the Monroe newspapers for the time period of September 4, 1870 and the next few weeks, there should be a news report on the sinking of the Pioneer. I would love to have a copy of that article. I'll gladly reimburse for time and costs. Otherwise, I'll have to wait until I make another trip to the area. Roy Austin 300 Missionary Court Madisonville, LA 70447 (985) 792-1306