General John Nicks Papers, 1824-1885

Many of these papers concern the description and disposal of lands which were once a part of Lovely, Crawford, Rogers, and certain other counties in Arkansas after the Treaty of March 23, 1828, between the U.S. Government and the Cherokee Indians. This part of Arkansas became what is now the Fort Gibson area and from there on north to the Kansas and Missouri borders. Together with these papers are many giving power of attorney to Gen. John Nicks, and documents signed by R. S. Gibson, Justice of Peace. Nicks and John Rogers were business partners, operating two stores, one in Fort Smith and the other at Fort Gibson. Gen. Nicks' widow, Sarah Perkins Nicks, later married Robert Stuart Gibson.