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.
Food demand drives higher prices for trade goods
By Adam Parvey
Traders in the Five States are set to make a lot of money ahead of the holiday season. Many families a preparing to gather for a Thanksgiving Feast. However, unlike times past, many families no longer have a hunter to bring home the meat. So the demand for food has risen in the Five States as markets struggle to keep their shelves stocked. Traders willing to work hard in the next month to meet that demand will set themselves up to be quite wealthy by the end of the year. “Hunting is honest work, but not always the highest paying work,” said one hunter, “certainly it’s not a way of getting rich quick.” The change in fortune for hunters has been somewhat tempered by new competition.
“It’s true that I am selling for much higher prices and overall, making more revenue,” one hunter said, “but, I’m also seeing lots more hunters out there that I have to compete with, so it’s taking a bit longer to bring in a good haul.” Few newcomers to the Five States can afford to get started as a trader, but some have deep resources to get started early while others aren’t so new anymore and are finally investing in a permanent job in the Five States. “I’ve been doing odd jobs here and there, recover a wagon, deliver mail, that kind of stuff,” said one new hunter, “finally saved enough gold to invest in a career, figured it was a good as time as any to become a full time trader!”
By the end of the year, market watchers predict that demand will come back down. “Once the market equilibrium comes back down, you’ll see many traders leave the trade altogether,” predicts one investor, “I suspect bounty hunting will be the next big thing.”
Local ranch attacked by outlaw gang
By Jose Chavez
MacFarlane Ranch came under attack by the Del Lobo gang this week. The ranch hands banded together to fight off the outlaws and they were joined by four travelers. The travelers were passing through the area on their way to Blackwater, West Elizabeth when the attack began. “We weren’t looking for a fight, but, the MacFarlanes are good folks so we couldn’t just leave when they needed us,” one of the travelers said. The four travelers went to work taking up defensive positions.
After several long, quiet moments, the gang attacked. Though they attacked with great fury, the defenders managed to hold them back. “The ranch hands are no stranger to the gun,” said one of the travelers, “so they didn’t need a lot of help, we were just extra shooters, really.” The gang gave up after about thirty minutes and several failed attacks. The bodies were dragged out of the ranch property limits and left to back in the desert sun.
Dead body found in Ambarino; suspected homicide
By Jane Duran
Federal agents patrolling Ambarino in search of The Executioner found a dead body on the side of the road this week. While they were hoping it was a sign that The Executioner was slipping up, they are certain that the victim’s demise is unrelated to The Executioner. “The body being found on the side of the road was our first hint it wasn’t related to our primary investigation,” said one of the federal agents, “the man was found shot in the chest, right through the heart, which doesn’t fit The Executioner’s MO.” The Executioner is known for shooting his victims in the back of the head.
In addition, a strange clue was found. “We aren’t even certain if this is a clue related to the murder or something about the victim,” said the agent, “but we found a lump of coal stuffed in their chest pocket.” The victim was identified as Orion Thorpe, a rancher from Cumberland Forrest, which suggests the lump of coal may be linked to the murderer. No other evidence was obtained that could shed any information on the killer, though motive may have been discovered. Orion Thorpe was accused of dismissing ranch hands without paying them, an accusation that could not be proven in court. “Or working theory is that one of the ranch hands killed him,” said the investigator, “in fact, one of the dismissed ranch hands now works at a coal mine, so they are linked.” The ranch hands are being brought in for questioning this week.
Bill introducted in West Elizabeth state legislature to ban asking others to rate your outfit
By Odell Clifton
A controversial bill has been introduced in the West Elizabeth legislature. The bill seeks to make it illegal to ask others to publicly rate your outfit. The lawmaker who introduced it, State Senator Henri McCue defended the bill saying that it is necessary. “A limit on freedom though it may be,” Senator McCue said, “it is necessary for the freedom of others to not hear people’s bullshit.” The surprisingly upfront explanation found agreement from several people. “I love freedom but goddamn am I tired of rating outfits!” a Blackwater resident said. Even the peaceful residents of Strawberry have had their patience run out for folks who want their outfits rated.
“Strawberry is a peaceful place, ain’t the place to ask others to rate your fashion,” said a Strawberry resident, “this is a dry city, so I ain’t got the alcohol to deal with such tomfoolery.” The bill is unlikely to pass, however. No other state senator has offered their support of the bill, with several saying it goes against the core values of the United States.
Shooting ends after would be victim shook off a headshot
By Emery Cosberry
A cowpoke who had only recently arrived in Valentine went on a shooting rampage. Several residents fell victim to the shooter, as did responding deputies. A traveler wielding a shotgun approached the attacker, but the attacker fired first. They quickly fired off a shot, hitting the shotgun wielding traveler in the head. However, the result was unexpected. Despite the perfect shot, the traveler did not fall. “That feller’s hat fell off and fell to the ground,” said a witness, “and the shooter looked shocked, having expected a headshot to end the other feller.” The attacker froze and according to witnesses stammered about “black magic.”
The traveler raised their shotgun and fired a slug into their chest. The attacker fell to the ground dead. Deputies assisted with cleaning the town and removal of the victims’ bodies. All said and done, five victims succumbed to their wounds, including one deputy. Another eight, including two deputies, were injured but are expected to survive their injuries.
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!
Saint-Denis Archives Burned!
By By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Knowledge is deceptively easy to lose. Toss out a sheet note and try to play a song perfectly; you likely won’t remember every single lyric or note. Now, do that on a larger scale; imagine losing documentation for events that happened ages before you were born. Well, it’s not hard to picture this; it happens all the time, including this week.
An archives building in Saint-Denis suddenly caught fire in the late hours of Tuesday evening. It’s currently unclear if it was accidental or not; many people suspect it was intentional. Firemen were able to put out the fire eventually, but much was lost.
It’s impossible to calculate how much was lost; documents dating back to the city’s founding and its role in various critical moments in American history were likely destroyed. Such information is unlikely to have copies, so what was lost, is forever gone.
Why anyone would want to destroy the records building is unknown, as most files were for events not remotely contemporary. It could simply be, that some people enjoy burning the past, for the past is of no value to them. But it is important to us, and we shall feel this loss for many years to come.
Murder across two states creates confusion
By Lucien Privitt
State authorities in West Elizabeth and New Hanover collided this week following a murder that either occurred across two states or potentially, right on the border. The murder was reported at Flatneck Station. A passenger train was the scene of a murder as the train crossed Bard’s Crossing. Bard’s Crossing is a bridge that connects West Elizabeth to New Hanover with a railroad over the Dakota River. Details are scarce but what is known is that two passengers, one a male and one a female, got into an argument at some point as the train traveled through Diablo Ridge. There are conflicting reports about the argument, with some witnesses indicating it was a personal argument between people who knew each other while another witness said they believed they were strangers fighting over a seat.
What is clear is that the argument turned into a physical altercation at some point passed Riggs Station. One report says that the man yelled at the women, “I ain’t ever been where you saying I’ve been! Now leave me alone!” The man then allegedly pushed the woman. Another passenger got involved, demanding the man to leave the woman alone. However, the passenger was knocked out in a single punch. Before the man could turn around, though, a lasso was wrapped around his neck. The woman kicked him in the lower back before pulling the rope hard. The man stumbled out into an open air train car where he was thrown over. The woman held the rope, strangling the man as the train traveled over Bard’s Crossing. At some point, however, the woman pulled out a gun and aimed downward, shooting the man in the back of the head.
A passenger had ran to the front of the train and reported the incident and the engineer brought the train to a halt and reported the crime over the telegraph. The train stayed at Flatneck Station as lawmen from New Hanover and West Elizabeth arrived. The victim was found below Bard’s Crossing with the rope still around his neck. The woman witnesses say killed the man was nowhere to be found, however. An employee on the train, speaking under a condition of anonymity, said the delayed response is why the killer escaped. In addition to the delayed response, when authorities did arrive they began arguing over who had jurisdiction. State police from West Elizabeth and New Hanover agreed to work together but as they uncovered more of the story resumed arguing about jurisdiction. Federal authorities are expected to take over the case.
Legal Departments Overwhelmed in New York!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Many jokes are made about lawyers and attorneys, which are most probably justified. A joke you often hear among legal assistants is being worked to death and still expected to show up the next day. This is less of a joke, and more a reality if you live in New York.
The city is awash in legal issues, not against the city, but by average citizens who feel helpless and weak. So many have turned to local law firms for assistance, which has led to backlog issues. One law firm reportedly had a referral list of 67, growing by the hour. Legal assistants are being forced to stay from sunrise to sunset to even sort through piles.
Issues range from financial well-being to discrimination suits, corruption, and marital issues. More lawyers are being paid to arrive in New York to better handle the burden. Some joke that this is beginning to resemble a Civil War battle and not a living, breathing city.
The cause of these issues is anyone’s guess, from corruption in the city’s political arena to financial downturns across the country, to some people just being unhappy and restless. Will it get better? I have my doubts; looking at the legal system is undoubtedly a way to have a miserable day.
Motorists to relive moment from two years ago
By Ivy Seager
Two years ago English motorists celebrated the passage of England’s Locomotives on Highways Act, which raised the speed limit to 14 miles per hour. 33 motorists joined together to drive from London to Brighton to celebrate the higher speed limit. Two years later motorists are gathering once again to remember the historic day. 50-100 drivers are expected to show up to make the drive, though some organizers have said more than 100 may show up. While that may seem high, it is important to point out that motor vehicle ownership has risen temendously in the last few years. In 1895 there were 14 verified automobile owners in England. Today there is more than 200 verified automobile owners in England. Automobile manufacturers say ownership will continue to grow. One English car manufacturer predicted that by 1900, nearly 1,000 English citizens will own an automobile.
The gathering and driver from London to Brighton not only memorializes the drive from two years ago, it shows the growing interests in automobiles in England. In fact, several participants this year will be in the passenger seats but plan to buy their own automobile within the year.
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