Ken:
I have not read "American Tapestry", but I have read Joann Gilbert's book, "the Trail of Tears across Missouri". According to Gilbert's book, there were Cherokee settlements in Cape Girardeau, Perry, Bollinger, Scott, Mississippi and New Madrid counties. This happened from 1775-1812, and the reason that they moved into Arkansas was because of the earthquakes in New Madrid.
You may be able to get further information from other books, as well as from the Oklahoma History Center.
Gwen