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.
Collector completes coin collection
By Frederick Vannesse
Collecting antiques and rare valuables is well known to be a very lucrative occupation. These items lost to history are found in remote places and can often be challenging to obtain. As a result, the non-adventurous sort prefer to simply buy these items off those who put in the work to find them. There are many types of collectible that can be sold individually, though a full collected set will fetch more money. This week a cowpoke announced proudly that they completed their coin collection. They walked into Smithfield’s Saloon and made their announcement. Patrons at the saloon were impressed with the collection. “I was impressed, I myself am still searching for the 1800 Gold Dollar,” said one resident who works as a miner, “so it was nice seeing it in person.”
Several others made offers on the full collection, but the collector declined. While a threat of violence did arise, it was in Valentine after all, the good nature of most of the patrons warned off any aggressors. “I saw a fella holding his pistol, looking like he wanted to take those coins,” said one witness, “but then myself and a few others shown them our own pistols as a warning.” The collector took a final lap around the saloon showing off their prize before riding off into the night.
Telescopic Sights Continue to Impress!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
There was once a tiny town in New Austin called Adobe Walls. It’s merely a ghost town now, one of many abandoned over the decades for one economic reason or another. If you know the name, it’s not because it was essential to growing the state; it’s for a battle, and a single shot fired.
In 1874, during one of many battles with Indian forces, a man with a telescopic rifle took aim, and took down a man on horseback. It was said to be at a distance of over 1500 yards. Almost immediately, gun manufacturers took credit for the kill, selling more scoped hunting rifles than ever before. Even the US military, wary for a long time at the viability of such weapons, purchased many in bulk.
Now, anyone can get a telescopic sight at a gunsmith for a minor price. Such scopes are continuing to develop, becoming lighter, detachable, easier to use, and less likely to damage your eyes. Militaries around the world are training, testing, and building better and better sights. One official claims that a man will be able to see and shoot another man at over a mile within a few short years.
One may wonder what this will do to the future of warfare, but if you want a preview, ask the buffalo, if only you could. That, is where the future of small-arm sights, lies.
Cult like murder Ambarino
By Jane Duran
A long time resident of Ambarino was found murdered this week. After weeks of mail stacked up a freelancer delivering a letter decided to investigate. They looked inside and found a bloody scene. The occupant was stretched out on the floor not moving. They entered the home and realized he was dead. An investigation into the death revealed some bizarre details. Strange symbols were carved into the victim’s skin. The symbols made no sense. They were not of any known language.
The only clue investigators found was a note that referenced the nearby frozen lake Barrow Lagoon. The note indicated the Barrow Lagoon hid a massive burial site beneath the frozen lake. The note went into the bizarre when it indicated the bodies buried beneath would soon be freed and unleashed upon the world. Investigators believe the murder and strange carvings into the victim’s skin were meant to facilitate this unleashing of the bodies buried beneath. “While we continue our investigation, one thing is certain, there is now burial beneath Barrow Lagoon,” the lead investigator said, “there is a single grave on the short of the frozen lake, no bodies beneath it.” Investigators are asking that anyone who has information that can lead to an arrest reach out to their local law enforcement agency to provide information to investigators.
Bounties in West Elizabeth offered bonuses
By Odell Clifton
Not long after the Great Plains Sniper seemed to resurface in the Great Plains, a bonus goes out for bounties captured in West Elizabeth. This may have been just a coincidence, but I decided to do some further investigating. What I found was that the extra money funding the bonuses was West Elizabeth was provided by the federal government. Specifically, it was the Bureau of Internal Revenue that paid the extra fees.
The Bureau did not respond directly to the bounties, but did state that from time to time the Bureau provides resources for local law enforcement to aid in combatting illegal alcohol. There was also a bounty issued for the Great Plains Sniper, however, as their identity remains unknown it is not immediately clear how the bounty could be collected. Several wanted outlaws were captured in West Elizabeth however, none were accused of being the Great Plains Sniper.
“I don’t know who offered more money for West Elizabeth bounties,” said Police Chief Oswald Dunbar, “but I am pleased with the results, lots of wanted men were arrested.” Not a single bounty was for a moonshiner or bootlegger.
Annesburg, gateway to heaven?
By Donna Deshner
A traveler made a startling discover this week in Annesburg. In a building next to the gunsmith, there is a door that is not like any other door. The cowpoke said that instead of leading to another room, it leads to an entirely new world. That world? Heaven, maybe. “I opened the door and well, I didn’t see a room” the traveler said, “I saw endless sky and clouds, just like what folks say Heaven is like.” The traveler said they did not go through the door, however. “Look, Heaven is where good folk go when they die,” they said, “I wasn’t crossing that threshold and dying before my time.” Investigators arrived in the town the next day, however, they were unable to confirm the findings.
“We opened the door and just found a room on the other side,” the investigator said, “the room was of substandard quality and not what I’d describe as heavenly.” The paranormal investigators said there are a lot of strange reports in the Five States and they investigate each one in good faith. “We were hoping to find exactly what they claimed, strong evidence of the paranormal,” one investigator said, “but like many claims, this was just another wild goose chase.” The investigators packed up and left town but the traveler continued sticking to their story.
Cowpoke taken to mental asylum following comments about the future
By Emeline Vickroy
A cowpoke entered the gun shop in Saint Denis and demanded a handgun he called the m1899. To those who do not keep up with firearm manufacturing, that model refers to the year 1899, which is next year. We are still in 1898. That said, firearms often have prototypes that are built before they officially debut for sell. However, there are no known prototypes of the a gun called the m1899. The customer insisted on the firearms existence and even shown what they said was a photograph of the pistol in question. The firearms dealer made some inquires and after learning some interesting information, notified the local police.
The firearm dealer learned that the m1899 exist as a prototype, but knowledge of the firearm is strictly limited. Police were notified at the request of the gun’s manufacturer, in case trade secrets had been stolen. However, the customer said they had no secret information and that the gun should be available as it is the year 1899. The customer insisted on 1899 being the current year and even listed several events they claimed to have occurred through 1898 and 1899, including a robbery in Blackwater that left a woman dead. When the customer insisted what they were saying was the truth, the police decided not to arrest the cowpoke. Instead, they sent him to a mental asylum to be evaluated.
Athletes of the Five States begin preparing for Olympics on Paris
By Ivy Seager
In two years time, the global athletic competition known as the Olympics will be held in Paris, France. The Olympics have their history in Ancient Greece, where competitors from different Greek city-states participated in athletic competition. In 1896, the Olympics were brought back as an international competition. To honor the ancient origins, the first modern Olympic games were held in Athens, Greece. The next scheduled Olympic Games are planned for Paris, France in 1900. From there, organizers plan to organize Olympic Games every four years as a way to foster strong relationships between nations through athletic competition.
Many athletes are preparing for their moment of global immortality. I have learned recently that several athletes planning to join the 1900 Olympics in Paris reside right here in the Five States. These including several horse riders, sharpshooters, and even a tug of war team. The athletes have a lot of training to complete if they plan on qualifying for the Olympics, but the Five States is known for producing tougher than normal folks, so they should have a better chance than most.
The Five States Herald 