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.
Songs of Joy in a Trying Time
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
It’s that time of year again, when the snow falls, the fireplace hums, and the children sing. What do they sing? Festival yuletides stretching back across the years. It’s such a lovely little ceremony, for those who want it.
I do not have children; those who ask will never receive a satisfactory reply. But I have seen many children gather in the parks near where I dwell, hugging their mother’s skirts and humming little tunes. Songs of joy and peace I call them; it makes them happy. To me, it merely chills the heart.
I speak on behalf of many when they say, such a time only brings more misery than cheers. It is not the children’s fault, nor do I blame any specific individual. It’s just an all-knowing fact, that being around so many happy people, when your soul cannot curl your lips, is agony. To which I say, it is okay to just close the curtains and pass the time at your leisure, or reflect on the silent surface of what has gone. You cannot change what has happened, but you don’t need to let the world force your happiness, nor share your grief with those who do not deserve it.
Cowpokes move to the desert amidst region wide snow storm
By Jose Chavez
A snowstorm hit the Five States and has several folks moving south. The snowfall is heaviest in Ambarino of course, but most noticeable in Lemoyne, New Hanover, and West Elizabeth. The normally sunny and bright states are covered in clouds and snow. Hunters have remarked that their job is much more difficult in the heavy snow. Traders report even more trouble. “Driving a wagon through thick snow is very hard,” a trader said, “but the falling snow limits visibility as well and even a small crash can lead to spilled goods.”
To avoid the difficult winter weather, several cowpokes have moved south to New Austin. Snow does fall in New Austin as well, but it melts a bit faster. As a result, the snow on the ground is not as thick. “I am moving my entire operation to New Austin for the season,” said a trader, “maybe ship a few things to other states using freight.” Weather experts say that the snowstorm is expected to get worse and soon, New Austin may not be the reprieve it presently is.
Hunter arrested for murder
By Jane Duran
A hunter frantically road into Strawberry with a dead man laying on his horse. He was shouting for help, saying, “it was a mistake” over and over. Deputies arrested the hunter when they realized the man was dead and the hunter admitted to shooting him. The hunter resisted arrest, saying he shot at a ram. “This fella said he saw a ram in the trees and fired, taking it down with one shot,” a deputy said, “he claimed he only realized it was a man after he approached the carcass to skin it.” “I hurried to Strawberry as quick as I could,” the hunter explained, “no lawmen or doctors in Ambarino so I rushed to save him.”
The deputies question the story. “The man was shot in the head, no way this hunter thought he was alive,” a deputy explained, “but, I suppose it is a bit odd that he bothered to bring the corpse here and admit to the killing.” The hunter remains under arrest. Deputies went into Ambarino to investigate the site of the shooting, but it was snowed over and so they did not find anything.
Bounty drowns in Blackwater
By Odell Clifton
A bounty hunter arrived in Blackwater with a hogtied man on his horse. The man squirmed and yelled, saying he was innocent. The bounty hunter laughed and did not unload the bounty right away, and instead started chatting with a local. The bounty managed to wiggle off the horse and get free of their restraints. They fled toward the Blackwater Dock where a ship was just leaving. “The bounty huter seemed unbothered and, well just calmly grabbed a bolas from his horse,” the local said, “then took a few steps toward the man.”
Witnesses say the bounty hunter then threw the bolas toward the target. “The man clearly thought he could catch the leaving boat, but he was wrong,” said a witness, “not only did he not make the boat, but he got his legs all wrapped up and he fell off the dock.” Unable to swim because of the bolas the man drowned. The bounty hunter eventually fished him out for the water, pointing out the target was wanted dead or alive. “Less money, but did you think I was gonna jump into the water?” the bounty hunter laughed.
Hunter forced to leave Valentine
By Emery Cosberry
Valentine is a town that has survived many hardships and abided a lot of violence. But this week one hunter learned the limits of Valentine’s patience. A hunter entered the town and was not violent or belligerent. They did, however, smell quite bad because they had been sprayed by a skunk. The hunter said they were tracking a pair of skunks but slipped when they stepped on a loose rock in the ground. The skunks were startled and both sprayed at the hunter. To their credit, the hunter was not deterred and still killed both skunks, skinning them. The Valentine butcher said they had to hold their breath when the hunter arrived to sell the pelts. “I damn near gagged, truth be told,” the butcher said, “knew this was a big game hunter who had no respect for the finer parts of hunting small game like skunks, and paid for it.”
While the butcher was able to tolerate the smell, the local hotel owner would not allow the hunter to enter to take a bath. “I smelled them before the door opened and told them to leave,” said Arnold Dunn, “they would do nothing but stink up my baths!” Rejected from a bath, the hunter went to the Smithfield’s but was threatened by the patrons there. They wound up at Keane’s Saloon, an older and small saloon in Valentine that is considered to serve a lower class clientele. And even here, the hunter was told to leave. “Ain’t much smells worse than the food here,” said one patron, “but that cowpoke did, worse than those covered in sheep shit too!” Eventually the hunter left town and nobody heard from them again.
Saint Denis photographer found dead in the bayou
By Aloysius Levron
Esther T. Conard, a well known photographer in Saint Denis was reported missing early this week. She was found the very next day, dead in the bayou. Miss Conard had discussed plans to take her photography to the next level. As she was most known for photography around the city she wanted to expand to take wildlife photographs. “I know Esther seemed like a foolish city gal trying to live it rough,” a friend explained, “but she wasn’t going out in dresses, she wasn’t afraid to get dirty, or to do a bit of research.” Miss Conard had in fact been doing research on the rare ghost panther. While preparing to photograph the legendary animal, Miss Conard made several excursions into the bayou and took photographs over other bayou animals. “She really learned to respect the bayou and its creatures,” said a local, “I thought she was just a city folk, a tourist, but she was genuine.”
Her body was reported by a train rider, who noticed someone laying in the bayou partially submerged in mud. A posse rode out from Saint Denis and found her body, just north of the train tracks leading into the city north of Caliga Hall. Her body was badly mutilated with bite marks and massive gouges. The area she was found was known territory of a ghost panther and the wounds were consistent with a large cat attack. He camera was found nearby but was badly damaged and any film was destroyed and unsalvageable. Friends and family were said to hear the news but happy to have closure.
Wolfman spotted beyond usual sightings location
By Lucien Privitt
The Wolfman of New Hanover may be expanding their territory. Several witnesses have told authorities about a wolfman threatening them. “I heard growling and grabbed my rifle and turned around,” said a hunter, “I was a expecting a wolf but saw a man on two legs with the head of a wolf instead!” The witness said they panicked and fled as quickly as they could, firing blinding back at the wolfman. Another witnesses said the wolfman walked into Wallace Station, growling and wielding pistols. “I’ve never seen anything like it!” the clerk said, “a wolf on two legs waving guns around!” The wolfman did not harm anybody and later fled into the woods nearby.
Sightings of the wolfman have been made as far as New Austin. Of course, the Wolfman of New Hanover has only ever been spotted in New Hanover. Specifically, they have never been seen beyond Roanoke Ridge. Moreover, the Wolfman of New Hanover has never wielded a gun and is often seen with no clothes on. This new wolfman is said to be dressed like a man, only with a wolf’s head. “I think it’s fake, just a man in a mask,” said one witness, “thinks it’s cute to scare people, but if I see ’em… they’ll be dead real quick and you’ll see the truth of ’em.” The idea that the wolfman is actually a man in a mask seems to be the most likely explanation. But travelers are still expected to use caution should they see him.
The Five States Herald 