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.
Aging Saint-Denis Woman Revealed as Spy!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
Lemoyne was a Confederate state through and through. Its biggest city may have been occupied by the Union for a while, and its governor may have fought for the boys in blue, but it will always be southern at heart.
But many proud unionists live in this city, and still walk its many streets. Most did little during the war, afraid of retribution, but a few did what they could. One, was a kindly old lady who still draws breath.
She was born with the name Harriet, but she went by Pauline on the stage. During the war, she often toasted to the South and spent much time with Confederate officers; this was all a ruse. She had actually made deals with Union officials to gather intelligence. On many occasions, she did just that, hiding documents, getting troop numbers, equipment totals, she saved lives. After the war, she merely went back to stage work; she did not tell anyone about her espionage career.
Now, she currently works as a seamstress and suffers from pain in her fingers. She still refuses to talk about the war; we only know about her story, because a friend outed her. Some are worried someone will come looking for revenge, but it’s just as likely people won’t care about what an old lady did 40-odd years ago. Such is life; we pass from one life to the next, barely remembered.
Stolen wagon recovered by posse of bounty hunters
By Jose Chavez
A group of bounty hunters took a lower stakes job this week, after learning about a wagon stolen from the MacFarlane Ranch. “We usually hunt men, or women, wanted for criminal acts,” the leader explained, “but we heard the MacFarlane’s needed help and they are fine people, so we decided to see what we could do.” The bounty hunters learned that Del Lobo gang members had highjacked a shipment of goods meant for Blackwater. The gang was tracked south and the bounty hunters managed to locate the camp of Del Lobo gang members. “We had heard rumors of well armed and supplied Del Lobo gangs,” one of the bounty hunters said, “but we saw no evidence of it, just old beat up guns.”
The bounty hunters assaulted the gang, taking out their sentries first and then using the high ground advantage to rain fire on the gang members. In short order the gang members were dead or fleeing. The wagon was located and recovered, though not all of the supplies were found.
Courtroom less than stunned by revelations found in journal!
By Jane Duran
The trial of Mrs. Emmaline Haven, alleged to be the Executioner, continued this week. The trial was delayed as new evidence was found and had to be considered. The new evidence was entered into the official record and revealed in court this week. As readers of this paper already know, the evidence was a journal said to belong to Mrs. Haven and included what could be damning entries. Mrs. Haven admitted that the journal was indeed hers, when asked in court. She further clarified the entries in questions, where she writes about shooting her husband in the head and says the unfaithful should be punished, were also written by her.
“These are the ramblings of a frustrated woman,” Mrs. Haven said, “my husband was a cheater and a fool and I’m happy he was killed, maybe wish I had done it, but I just didn’t, and don’t, have it in me.” Mrs. Haven answered questions from the prosecution and defense, maintaining that despite her writings, she never killed anyone. The jurors remained impassive. While it is difficult to say how this new evidence will influence the jury, the prosecution team did seem quite frustrated. It appears the journal evidence did not have the impact that they were hoping for. The trial is expected to wrap up this week.
Wagon on a train?
By Odell Clifton
A strange scene was spotted this week in Armadillo. A passing train stopped by to drop off supplies, alcohol and medicine, but as it was unloaded a couple of cowpokes attempted to drive a wagon onto a flat train car. The train’s engineer tried to stop the two but was unable to deter them. The supplies were unloaded and engineer fired up the engine. The pair continued urging the horses to pull the wagon onto the train to no avail. Just as the train was about to leave the station, the wagon surged forward and landed on the train car. It was not a successful endeavor, however.
The horses panicked as the train started to move, fleeing and falling off the train car. As they were dragged along the wagon reins broke. One horse managed to escape injured by alive. The other was not so fortunate. The cowpokes attempting the maneuver both died. One was thrown from the wagon and was crushed under the train as it left the station. The other survived initially, but succumbed to his injuries within the hour. It is not clear why the cowpokes tried to do what they did. Since they died, it is unlikely we will ever find out.
Trader ambushed, survives but loses half of their shipment
By Van R. Seldon
A trader was on their way to deliver supplies when outlaws attacked them. “I saw a couple cowpokes on both sides of me and knew something was up,” the trader said, “so I prepared for the worst.” The trader explained that they had a hand on their pistol. The attack started with a literal explosion. The trader was thrown from the wagon from an explosion that came just behind them. “I had my hand on my pistol and so I took cover and scanned for where I saw them before,” the trader said, “I found one and manage to shoot him dead.” The wagon was destroyed, however, and their goods were scattered about. A few more outlaws rode in and started grabbing goods. “I shot at them, got one down,” the trader said, “had to reload and fire as the others fled.”
The horse pulling the wagon survived and the trader managed to secure a couple bags of supplies. The trader explained that they used that horse along with their personal horse that was riding just behind them. “I got two bags of goods out of there and delivered, partial payment of course,” the trader said, “but at least I got two of the bastards.”
“Wizard” arrested in the bayou
By Emmaline Vickroy
A man was arrested for murder and “wizardry” this week after a mysterious killing that cannot be explained despite numerous witnesses. The arrested man, the alleged wizard, claims to be innocent. “I was riding to Saint Denis when this fella cam riding toward me,” they said, “I reacted quickly, barely dodged them and then he just fell off his horse.” Witnesses do not contest this story, in fact their statements support what was said. “I don’t know why that other fella served to run into them, but they barely managed to escape the collision,” a witness said, “now how that fella dropped dead, I can’t explain that.” One witness added a small detail. “I saw that man whisper something under his breath,” a local said, “and soon as he stopped speaking that other one fell dead, he cast a spell.” State police arrived to investigate and arrested the man even though they could not explain how the murder was committed. The official report states that the man was arrested due to witness statements and that even he admitted being the closest person to them as they died.
The victim’s friend was riding not far behind them, but by the time they caught up, the victim was already dead. “Well, I wish I could have seen something, gave the police some important information or something,” the friend said, “but you know how it is, sometimes you just don’t see nothing.” The arrested man’s name is being kept anonymous for now and police have made it clear they are still investigating and the arrest does not mean guilt. The body of the victim will be examined by a the Saint Denis doctor this week.
As Halloween approaches, hell breaks loose on earth
By Adam Parvey
A steed from hell has been spotted all over the Five States. A rider dressed all in black riding a black horse with flaming hooves has been popping up at different locations. At first, reports indicated the rider was a creature of evil. The rider popped up and spread fear, riding through towns and leaving a trail of flames behind it. Everywhere it was seen, people fled in terror. However, other reports suggested it was a force of good. Outlaws were robbing a stagecoach when the rider appeared. The horse reared up on its hind legs, flaming hooves bright in the night air. The outlaws instantly fled. The would be victims said they were quite terrified themselves but the rider just left.
Other witnesses claim the rider can ignite the hooves of other horses. “I saw the rider, a specter of terror in truth,” a witness said, “and then I looked down and saw my own horse’s hooves flaming and two trails of fire behind me.” The horse was no harmed but the owner was spooked. So far, the rider has not actually harmed anybody. Though one person did flee in fear and fall off a cliff, but that is their own fault mostly.
The Five States Herald 