Mission Statement:
To endeavor to bring to all residents of the Five States the most current and important news from across the entire Five States region. Never yellow, the Five States Herald vows to serve only the people of the Five States, from New Austin to Lemoyne, free of charge now and forever.
The Quest for Human Flight Continues!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
When we were children, we all, in some form, dreamed of flying. Like little birds, we imagined flying great distances over the lands. Of course, we all knew it was but a dream, something humans were never destined to do. But that hasn’t stopped some individuals from trying otherwise.
Across the country, makeshift contraptions have been built, made of anything from leather to steel, with wings and not. All are trying to take flight and not violently crash into the ground. So far, all have done the latter, frequently with deadly results.
A popular location for take-off is a cliffside in Mexico; dozens of people have tried to jump or ride off the edge into the wild blue yonder. All have fallen from the heavens into hell. This hasn’t stopped people from trying, however.
On the east coast, people have begun testing flying machines on beaches or dunes, places that are survivable if something was to go wrong. These attempts have also failed, but recent reports show that progress is being made.
Will humans one day take to the skies and fly from sea to shining sea? I would much prefer so; the human spirit is boundless, why limit it to just the hallowed ground?
Fort Mercer assault stopped by by the actions of a skilled gunslinger
By Jose Chavez
Fort Mercer, a dilapidated fort whose glory days are long over, was assaulted this week. The New Austin government attempted to resettle the fort to establish a central hub for the New Austin Rangers. “The location was ideal not only for patrolling New Austin, but also for patrolling the southern border. However, while a small force of support workers prepared the fort for the New Austin Rangers, it came under attack. The support staff, though armed, were not trained for this type of conflict. Several were killed in the first wave until a lone traveler showed up and took charge. “He fought off the attack and then positioned us where he thought we’d be most effective,” said one of the few survivors. One witness stated that the cowpoke’s name was Mr. Ferregar, but was unsure if that was his proper name or a nickname. In any event, witnesses agreed he had a strategic mind when position the defenders. More outlaws came and they too were fought off. By the time the New Austin Rangers arrived in force, most of the defenders were dead or severely injured. Mr. Ferregar himself was also nursing a few injuries, including a gunshot wound. Though the defenders successfully repelled the attackers, the New Austin Rangers decided to give up on the fort, stating that, “the surrounding land is simply to hostile to justify the investment.”
Masked “crazy man” attacked in Armadillo, turns situation around in a single second
By Wylie Frey
Armadillo residents described a strange man dressed as, “some type of clown cowboy.” The clown cowboy was dancing when another cowpoke fired on him. “Not really sure if they had a history together or he just didn’t like the clown dancing, but he was a bad shot all the same,” said a witness. The shots were wild and sent bullets into the building behind the clown, who quickly rushed the shooter. A second man ran up behind the shooter, but found himself in a bad place. “The weird clown fella pulled out a rifle and shot the newcomer before hitting the shooter in the face with the butt of his rifle,” said the witness, “then shot him in the head.” It is unknown if the second man was there to support the shooter. “It happened real fast, that clown seemed deadly, despite his goofiness,” the witness said. The clown cowboy was described as dancing away from the two dead bodies.
Disputes over first to enter the Tempest Rim have already begun
By Delphia Atwood
Last week, we ran a story regarding the Tempest Rim. Until recently, that area of Ambarino was believed to be inaccessible. Several attempts to explore the region were attempted and they all failed. However, last week a man named Ken made the claim that he led a small party into, and safely out of, the Tempest Rim. His witnesses confirmed the claims and Ken promised there would be photographic images to back up his claims. The day after last week’s paper was published, we received a telegram from someone claiming to have traversed the Tempest Rim months ago. The man would not say why he did not immediately report the deed, but did say in his letter, “I cannot rightly sit here while another takes credit for what I already did!” In follow up communications, the man admitted to having no evidence of his claim, nor did he have any witnesses. His solo trip was unreported by any paper of record. Though Ken has not provided photographic evidence yet, he does have witnesses who appear to be telling the truth. Though the man disputing Ken’s claim to be the first explorer of the Tempest Rim already cautioned trusting photographs, writing, “photographs are a new kind of thing and we don’t yet know how they can be faked.” He went on to say he will prepare to explore the region again, kicking off what may be a race to get more people into the Tempest Rim as evidence of knowing the way into the mostly inaccessible region.
WANTED!
Investigators: Travel the Five States and report on what is going on.
Writers: Write the stories investigators find!
Photographers:
To take photographs to be used in the Herald.
Can also do all three!
Armed children spotted roaming the Great Plains
By Odell Clifton
Five States resident Ms. Everett reported spotting a group of armed children in the Great Plains. She said the gang of children visited her camp, each wielding a repeater rifle except one, who wielded a revolver in each hand. Oddly, the children were all dressed the same and even looked very similar. The revolver wielding child said they were ‘The Jacks’ and were not afraid to use their weapons. Ms. Everett offered them a peaceful meal. “I was not afraid of them, I’ve survived far worse, you see,” Ms. Everett said, “they were hungry children and I had a hearty stew prepared, why not feed the boys?” The children made no threat to Ms. Everett or her trading partner.
Other residents in West Elizabeth spotted the children as well, though no others had interactions with them. When asked to comment on the armed children, Blackwater Police Chief Oswald Dunbar said, “there ain’t any laws far as I know that a child can’t use a gun, hell I was hunting myself at a young age. So long as nobody is harmed, it ain’t my problem.” There were no reports of the children attacking anyone except small game. “Saw them hunting rabbits,” one witness said, “and they weren’t half bad at it.”
Cowpoke kicked out of Blackwater Saloon for throwing over poker table
By Nick McCrary
A cowpoke playing poker grew frustrated with their fellow players, eventually leading to them throwing the table over in anger. Witnesses say the everything at the poker table seemed find until the cowpoke in question grew agitated following a series of bets where everyone went “all in” before the flop. “At first they just kind of mumbled and folded,” said a witness, “but after about five games of everyone going all in so early, they started yelling.” According to witnesses, teh cowpoke yelled, “why are you all betting like children?” However, the other player stared back blankly, saying nothing at all. The cowpoke then stood up and threw the poker table over. The saloon operator drew a shotgun and asked the cowpoke to leave, not wanting any trouble at their saloon. The cowpoke shrugged and said, “I was leaving anyway.” Witnesses say after the cowpoke left, the other players fixed the table and resumed going all in before the flop for the rest of the night.
Attorney accuses bounty hunters of illegally looting client’s property
By Emery Cosberry
An attorney for Anton Sonne argued in court this week that his client had been abused by the bounty hunters who brought him in. “My client, whatever you may think of him, has the right to be secure in his possessions,” the attorney argued, “and these bounty hunters violated that security, a Constitutional right that all in the United States guaranteed.” Sonne and all of his associates were looted, though his associates were also killed in a gunfight during the capture. This is not the first claim of bounty hunters stealing from their captured targets, however, it is the first time the argument has been made in a courtroom. The prosecution said, “this is ridiculous, Mr. Sonne is wanted for assault and robbery, did he care about how secure in their possessions his victims were? No.” The judge cautioned the jury from considering the prosecution’s rebuttal, “Mr. Sonne is not yet convicted of those crimes, and regardless, actions committed against Mr. Sonne should not be considered as evidence of what Mr. Sonne has or hasn’t done.” The judge did add, “though it is beyond the purview of this court, if agents acting on behalf of the state are in fact ‘looting’ those they capture, we may have a Constitutional crisis on our hands.” Though investigations have been underway regarding accusations of abuse and theft from bounty hunters, no actionable evidence has been obtained.
Lone Spanish child found in Saint Denis spurs investigation into human trafficking
By Aloysius Levron
A child was spotted wandering the streets of Saint Denis this week. A Good Samaritan offered the child food, and learned that they did not understand English. “I spoke real slow and friendly like, but she didn’t seem to grasp what I was saying,” said the Good Samaritan, “though she understood food.” The child happily ate the food put in front of her, and though she could not express it, she appeared very thankful. “I don’t think she was eating too good,” the Good Samaritan said, “she was happy, even if she couldn’t say it.” After eating the child never communicated anything else, not even in a different language. Authorities were notified and a public notice went out. As of press time, nobody has claimed the child as their own.
An investigation has been opened up into the child’s origin. There have long been rumors of children from the Spanish Isles being brought into the U.S. as part of a slave trade. The possibility that the child was trafficked here was realized when a policeman said something in Spanish in front of the child and the child seemed to have recognized it. Despite the recognition of the Spanish language, the child has yet to verbally respond to questions. As a result, it is unknown where the child came from but the working theory is that she was smuggled from the Spanish Isles. Investigators are combing Saint Denis for answers. If you have any information regarding the child or possible human trafficking, contact the Saint Denis Police Department.
Has the Five States been abandoned?
By Adam Parvey
As new development in the Five States continues to be stalled, residents ask, “has the Five States been abandoned?” “When I first came to the Five States, there was not much to do but hunt,” said a long time resident, “but there was so much optimism, so much hope.” That hope, said this resident and many others, is no longer as strong as it once was. They cite the lack of new developments and the lackluster support the Five States receives from the BHTNC or the federal government. Since investments in several new jobs bolstered the economy over a year ago, the economy has grown stagnant. “What has the government or the BHT-whatever done for us lately?” one resident asked. “Nothing but a few horses masks and stuff nobody would buy individually so they put it in some kinda pass,” another answered to cheers around the saloon.
Residents’ primary requests are the ability to purchase property in the Five States and new jobs. “I love the open air as much as the next cowpoke,” said another resident, “but I get tired of being a homeless cowboy, you know?” The BHTNC nor the federal government commented on future investments in the Five States. They did send a general comment, “we are investing in places we believe will give us maximum financial impact, that means we are presently focused on other endeavors, but rest assured, we have not forgotten about the Five States.”
Organized Crime Rises Throughout United States
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Crime is a constant problem in The Five States, as anyone who reads this knows. But it’s been progressively getting more complex, more organized, shall we say. Most know about the criminals who run Saint-Denis, but people like them are becoming more and more commonplace.
In New York City, so-called Black Hang gangs terrorize the immigrant population, demanding payment and protection on threats of violence and death. They claim authority from criminal organizations in Italy and Sicily, although they seem to have only the most minor of connections. These groups are led by an Italian named Giuseppe Morello, but most call him The Clutch Hand because his right hand has only one finger. He’s ordered countless people beaten, robbed, and killed, and local authorities can’t do anything about it. He has been known to make deals with figures in Saint-Denis like Angelo Bronte.
In Chicago, another Italian going by the name Don Peppone has been creating his own criminal enterprise through stolen goods. He carries with him two adopted children he intends to raise in his image. He also is more or less untouchable.
This appears to be our future, cities run by criminal figures far above petty offenses. It already happened in Saint-Denis, and it will continue!
Retired railway engineer dies at 81
By Ivy Seager
Sir John Fowler was one of the leading engineers in early railway development. He was most well known for designing the very first underground railway: London’s Metropolitan Railway. The railway was built using the “cut and cover” method. Trenches were built, the railway was then constructed and a roof built overtop. Sir Fowler was also the chief engineer for the Forth Bridge, a railway bridge that runs from central Edinburg to eastern Scotland. His efforts helped satisfy the transportation needs in England and inspired countless other engineers, possibly even engineers of the future. Sir Fowler died in Dorset, surrounding by loved ones.
His son, Sir John Arthur Fowler will assume his role in the baronetcy.
The Five States Herald 