The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-03-12
Special Correspondence Of the Tribune
Interesting from Kan sas.

Political Erci.ement-Ihe Topeka Conpen-
fion-Frce State Nam Murdered-.- Land Con-
spiracy--Indiin Treaty, &c. sal1s aatat
There is more political excitement in the
Territory at present than there has been for
months past. The proceedings of the Legis-
lature plainly show that determined struggle
to secure Kansas Slave State, is about to be
made, and there is great uncertainty as to the
proper course to be pursued. Some are for
uniting in the election, under the Territorial
Laws; others take the position that until Con-
gress pass the enabling act they willnot aban-
don the Topeka Constitution; and all agree
that the bill now before the Legislature for
taking the census, and having Constitution
al Convention, there would be no hope of fair
play from the hands of the Pro-Slavery men
who are TO manage it. E t .-. .-
{ A call for Free State Territorial Conven-
! ton, 10 consider what is TO be cone by the
Free State party, has been issued by tue Kan
sas Central Committee. The following is
copy. ssa zs. s .rssts... .-s.r.,3
FREE STATE DELEGATE CONVENTION. .s
There will be Delegate Convention Of the
Free State citizens OF Kansas held on Tues
day, March 10, 1857, at Topeka. Each Dis
trct will be entitled TO as many delegates in
the Convention as it has members in both BRAN
ches Of the Legislature. Citizens of the sew
eral districts are requested to meet in their res
spective districts, and elect their delegates
We trust the importance of this Convention,
at this time viii be fully appreciated by all
the friends of Freedom in the State.
II. Miles MooRE, Secy.
LAwaENcE, Feb. 3, 1S57.-Thomas Shoe
maker, Esq, formerly receiver OF the land
Office, was recently murdered in Leayenworth
city. He was beaten with clubs and an iron
poker, SO that he died short time after
wards. Mr.. Shoema ker was one of the few
men appointed by the national committee to a
post in the Territory, who proved to be Free
State man. He formerly resided in Morgon
Co., Illinois. There he was democrat and
friend of Douglas, but after he came to Kan
sas had his eye opened to the Nebraska Bill
and Squatter Sovereignty, and turned Free
State man. On this account he was removed
by President Pierce. His life has often been
threatened by the pro- slavery bullies of Leaven
worth. He was killed by some of them. Is
~ FRAUD AND LAND Conspiracy fs
The public are deeply interested in a most
extensive plot which is designed to throw the
whole of the valuable Shawnees Reservation
into the hands of people from the State Of
Missouri. Meetings have been held in Mis-.
souri,, to secure these lands to the Border Ruff
fans, as reward, and BY having them in the
Territory for a short time in the Spring they
will then be included as voters.
The Shawnee Indians have made their Sc
lection.
The agent Of the Shawnee went with his map
and plots to Westport and Independence.
There all the land remaining was selected and
divided amongst certain parties who have form
erly taken interest in Kansas affairs. It is
said that twenty-five hundred men have thus
divided these valuable lands out amongst them.
They are to aid each other in securing its pos
session. This is worth from ten to twenty
ty and even fifty dollars per acre. BY the
teims of the treaty no one should be permitted
to 60 on it until ninety days after the surveys
are approved. 1t is expected in this way to
keep the Free State people of and that in the
meantime the pro slavery men will take pos
session. No presumption Is scarcely worth
anything unless there is an actual settlement
The Free State settlers and their friends, who
have not already claims, intend going into this
land as soon as the surveys ere approved
They also viii protect each other against Mis-
sourians who pretend 20 hold by virtue of
merely stalking offa claim. This is excellent
land. t fe gaee ~ CHRIsTISA.
~ The Shawnee and Miami tracts Of
land in Kansas will be opened for presumption
this Spring. The Peoria and Kaskaskia, and
PLANK ahau and Weas tracts are 10 be