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.
Well Remembered Hero Not Correct!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
History is truly a fickle thing; just because someone wrote down a name, a date, or a place, doesn’t always make it true. We remember things wrong, or write names down. Take, for example, the well-known tale of the soldier Kenneth Andrews that’s recently in the news.
He fought at Gettysburg decades ago. He was just a private in his unit, who ultimately, in the heat of battle, saved seven fellow soldiers from an ambush at the expense of his own life. He was recognized by several of the men as they had been classmates. Newspapers circulated this wildly; he was honored with medals and showered with praise.
All of this was wrong; a man from Tennessee interviewed some of the soldiers recently with photos of Andrews, and none could recognize him. After digging through files, it appears impossible this was the same person; Kenneth Andrews was sick with scarlet fever and seemingly died around the same time on July 2nd 1863. It seems likely he was mixed up with another classmate who had joined the unit, Thomas Andrews. So much recognition and history misplaced, because of false memories and overeager writers.
There is a campaign to rectify the mistake, and perhaps it will. This revelation doesn’t make Kenneth less of a good man; it just means his deeds were misspoken. A difficult thing to learn but essential, for we must always strive to get the history right.
New Austin Rangers found at the bottom of Manteca Falls
By Jose Chavez
The New Austin Rangers are licking more wounds this week. On Monday, four patrolling New Austin Rangers went missing. “The agents were supposed to check in by Tuesday evening,” said a spokesman for the Rangers, “but they did not report in.” A delay in reporting in is not uncommon, but the Rangers’ worst fears were realized when missing Rangers’ bodies were found at the bottom of Manteca Falls. The bodies were completely stripped except for their badges, which were jammed into the flesh of their chests. “Their weapons, clothes, possessions, all missing,” said the Ranger who found them. The wounds indicated they were captured and tortured before they were killed. The Del Lobo gang is the Rangers’ primary suspect, though no evidence has been found that links the gang to the crime.
Ambarino Rangers begin patrols of state waterways
By Jane Duran
With no new leads regarding The Executioner, Ambarino Rangers have started patrolling the waterways in the state. Several lawmen from across the Five States are voluntering their time to assist in the Ambarino Rangers’ patrol. “When I read that none of the victims found lived in Ambarino, I figured they could have come from my own state,” said an Annesburg lawman volunteering for patrols, “so coming out here to help find him is the least I could do.” Authorities are hoping that by increasing patrols, they will spot The Executioner if he attempts to dump another body. “Even if we do not catch him in the act, we believe you will have an impact,” said Elston Appleburg, the Ranger leading the investigation, “if we cut off his common dumping grounds, maybe he’ll make a mistake and be spotted transporting a body.” The Rangers have asked that any suspicious behavior be reported to local lawmen, who will then provide the information to the Ambarino Rangers.
Hunters band together to clear out grizzly bears
By Odell Clifton
After several grizzly bears were found spotted near Little Creek River, the West Elizabeth governor issued a gold nugget bounty on the beasts. Several hunters gathered together and to systematically clear out the grizzlies. The hunt was successful, with three grizzlies spotted and killed. The meat was enough to provide food for Strawberry residents for at least a week. The hunters were all paid the full bounties and they split the funds gained from selling the pelts. Strangely enough, despite nearly five hunters joining the hunt and clearing the area, the next day another grizzly bear was spotted. “It seems it doesn’t matter what we do,” said one hunter, “grizzlies always return to the area, like they just poof, appear again and again!”
Several cowpokes leave the Five States for a “field in the sky”
By Frederick Vannesse
The Five States’ population had a sudden drop over the weekend. Several cowpokes who have stuck around said their friends have left for a field of stars. “We had just turned in a pair of wanted men, and my friend says he’s leaving,” a bounty hunter explained, “so I asked where he’s going and he says a star field, whoever heard of such a thing?” One person I spoke to speculated it was a type of farming land or an abundant hunting ground. “I suspect there aren’t any stars in the field,” one woman said, “that’s just silly, but it is probably rich for growing plants or thick with animals to hunt.”
Others shared plans to head to the “star field” as well, but later in this week. “Some folks got to head their early, guess they will get a good head start,” said one farmer, “but I’m patient, so I am happy to wait a few more days.” Whether this new field in the stars is enticing enough to completely drain the Five States seems to be a moot point however. For unknown reasons, access to the field in the stars is limited. Folks from Pawnee County and those with “One Sight” can travel to the star field with no problem, but apparently those with so called “Perfect Sight” are unable to see the star field at all and a result, cannot access the popular region.
Investigation into Saints Hotel has begun
By Donna Deshner
Valentine Sheriff Curtis Malloy has opened up an investigation on the Saints Hotel. The hotel is one of the most popular places for travelers to stay, as it is the only business with a public bath. However, several allegations about assault on women have been made and Sheriff Malloy has taking them seriously. “Truthfully, I had hoped the first accusations were isolated cases,” said Sheriff Malloy, “but it seems old Dunn may need to answer for crimes being performed in his hotel.” Arnold Dunn, owner of the Saints Hotel, has denied wrong doing. “Who am I to question the nature of the relationship with my guests?” Mr. Dunn asked, “am I to accuse all visitors of ungodly actions?”
One witness remarked that it was not that difficult to discern who is up to no good and who is not. “If a man has a woman hogtied and carrying her over his shoulder,” one woman said, “it’s safe to guess that she ain’t with him of her own accord!” Sheriff Malloy has not made an arrest, stating that there is no evidence that Mr. Dunn is complicit or even aware of assault on women happening at his establishment. “The moment I find evidence that Mr. Dunn is breaking the law, I’ll arrest him,” Sheriff Malloy said flatly. When asked about women being carried hogtied into the hotel right passed Mr. Dunn, Sheriff Malloy added, “a man can be looking down every now and then and miss a thing, we can’t always assume ill of others instead of considering they are just incompetent.”
Cowpoke goes on shooting spree after stopping a duel
By Mathilde Orry
A passerby in Rhodes had the misfortune of passing by a pair of duelers while being unable to ignore it. Witnesses say that without dismantling, the passerby pulled out a pistol and shot the guns out of the hands of the duelers. The good deed would not go unpunished, however, when a local deputy heard the gunshots and misinterpreted the situation. The deputy immediately opened fire on the passerby, who had no choice but to fire back as they fled the town. Other deputies joined in at attacking the passerby, forcing them to adjust course several times according to wintesses. “They nearly made it out but a few deputies cut them off north of town,” said one witness. The passerby managed to get passed a another deputy after shooting them in the leg and then fled south along the train tracks.
Several deputies gave chase but were unable to find the passerby. Four deputies were injured, one killed. After everything settled down, one witness said the duelers went right back at it. “All was for nothing I guess,” said the witness, “because the duel still happened.” The winner of the duel was arrested for murder.
Redemption 3 coming?
By Adam Parvey
Following the success of the rerelease of the boardgame Red Dead, developer Virtuoso has hinted that a new expansion called Redemption 3 will be released at some point in the future. No details were offered, though one of the creators said, “as long as folks want to keep buying Red Dead and its sequel expansions, we will continue creating new expansions to the universe.” The announcement was met with a burst of excitement, though the reaction became muted pretty quickly. “I suppose I wasn’t sure if we’d get another one, but I wasn’t terribly surprised,” said one resident, “but really, how long until it is released? I suspect years!”
Without firm details fans had a difficult time imagining what the expansion could be like. Others however have been far more negative. “Virtuoso is only doing this to distract us from the present with the past and the future,” said one cowpoke, “And they are doing it because the powers that be in the Five States have abandoned in us.” Whatever the intentions and whether or not Virtuoso is in league with the powers that be in the Five States, nobody will no for certain until Redemption 3 is upon us.
Man in New Jersey Wants Historical “Film” Made!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Moving picture and magic lantern shows are proving quite popular, and further out east, there are grander recordings of people acting out scenes in front of a camera. But every new field has pioneers and people with extraordinary dreams. Edward Porter is that kind of a man.
Porter, who works with the creators of these new-fangled cameras, is attempting to make a long-form recreation of Civil War battles with his camera. He wants to call them, cinematic films, a recreational story that is over an hour long and features extensive sets like a stage play.
He is currently in the financing stage, getting a backer for such an ambitious project is quite complex; at the moment, he is looking at Civil War generals with a significant income. Porter has not yet settled for any specific battle; he says he will probably do Antietam, Shiloh, or Gettysburg if he has the proper budget.
Many are quick to call the project Porters Folly; nobody wants to sit for over an hour watching recreations of violence that once swept the nation. But Porter is convinced it will revolutionize the industry; only time will tell which faction is proven the victor and which shall never speak of this again.
Lord Kitchener continues success in Sudan
By Ivy Seager
Sudan firmly under British control. Lord Kitchener is being celebrated for his capture of Sudan, which is expected to finally end hostilities int he area. For months the British government has moved troops around the world, resulting in more troops in the Sudan. The Sudanese people have been resisting and keeping the British forces at bay, though they could not handle the increase in troops. The battle in Sudan is one of many battles taking place in Africa as the British government continues attempting to reassert dominance in their African colonies. Lord Kitchener is being heralded as a hero, as British leadership has stated the victory in the Sudan will save lives both both sides, at the cost of freedom for the Sudanese people.
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