Archives International Auctions Auction 89 November 21, 2023

Archives International Auctions - The Huntsville Collection 15 November 21, 2023 Archives International Auctions www.archivesinternational.com Cherokee Nation Obsolete Scrip Note Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation Fort Gibson - Fort Gibson was established in 1824 by United States Army Colonel Matthew Arbuckle. Originally a military garrison, Fort Gibson was intended to support the United States’ westward expansion and the subsequent removal of Native Americans. During the 1830s, the U.S. army began concerted efforts to ensure peace among the tribes in Indian Territory. In 1834, General Henry Leavenworth led the Dodge- Leavenworth Expedition on a mission to the West, finally establishing contact with local Indian tribes. Around this time, a town was formed nearby and was home to the families of military men, Indians seeking military protection, and free African Americans. In the 1850s, the Cherokee pressed Congress to close Fort Gibson due to liquor and brothels, and in 1857, the military abandoned the garrison. The town was renamed Kee-too-wah by the Cherokee. The Union Army reoccupied Fort Gibson during the Civil War and was briefly renamed Fort Blunt. Military presence fluctuated through the years, and in 1898, the town of Fort Gibson was incorporated, drawing all localities under one jurisdiction. 24 24 Fort Gibson, Arkansas. F.H. Nash, 37 1/2 Cents ca.1854 to 1862 Obsolete Scrip Note Fort Gibson, Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory (Oklahoma). ND (Mar. 27) ca.1854 to 1862, Extremely desirable and rare 37 1/2 cent denomination. Black printing on off-white paper, seated allegorical woman holding cornucopia in middle between Roman Numeral and Arabic numeral “37 1/2 Cent counters on top and vertical versions on the left and right counterfoils, Black text in middle “In Trade or Current Bank Bills”, S/N 88, Signed by F.H. Nash on the lower right, No date or place name on face, back with circular “Fort Gibson - Ark. - Mar. 25” handstamp. Fine to Choice Fine Condition. E.P. Waites (Printer), F.H. Nash operated as a sutler in this fort that had been abandoned by the Federals (Union Forces) in 1857 (named after Col. George Gibson), but was reactivated in 1861 by “The Grays” (Confederate Forces). F. H. Nash, the largest general merchant in Fort Gibson, was born in Louisiana in 1837, and received his education in New Orleans. His father, N. H. Nash, was a native of Massachusetts, who came to Louisiana when a young man. The family emigrated from England in the seventeenth century and settle in Massachusetts, and the grandfather of F. H. Nash served in the war of the Revolution. F. H. Nash removed to Van Buren, Arkansas, in 1853, having completed his education, and in August of the same year removed to Fort Gibson, of which city he is now the oldest white inhabitant. On his arrival the place was one of the most quiet country towns he had ever visited, and he was first employed by the sutler of the army post. He had a personal acquaintance with every commander of the post from the time of his arrival until the post was removed in 1858; it was returned eight years later and re-established. Among the most prominent of his acquaintances before the Civil war were: H. M. Black, now United State quartermaster; General William L. Coble, of Dallas, Texas; Colonel Pitcairn Morrison; Captain Henry Little; Colonel Ed Brooks, who afterwards served in the Confederate army; Lieutenant Henry, who was cashiered in 1856 and afterward went to Nicaragua in the Walker Expedition; and many others whose names he cannot now recall, but among whomwas General Baxton Bragg, who afterward joined the Confederate army. Conditions in the community during the war were exceedingly disturbing, and Mr. Nash says a person was not safe outside the garrison. The Cherokee Indians divided, the half-bloods going into the Confederate army and full blood Indians into the Union army, thus causing much discord and strife. Mr. Nash served a short time in the Confederate army as aide de camp to Colonel Cooper, and arrived at the battle of Pea Ridge too late to participate. An extremely rare and desirable Cherokee Nation Scrip note with an extremely desirable denomination. Very possibly unique ����������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� Est. $3500-7000