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.
Turkey Hunting Industry in Full Swing!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
It is Thanksgiving on this lovely day. As you undoubtedly know, the most beloved meal at Thanksgiving is a good turkey dinner to bring the family together. Some people still go out and hunt their own turkey, but many buy theirs at a local shop. Where those turkeys come from, is quite a story.
Many general stores will buy turkeys from traders or more prominent companies in major cities. How those people get the turkeys tends to be like this. Hunters out in regions like Roanoke Ridge are paid a lump sum to find any turkey. The bigger the better, but any size will do. Upon completing the task, they hand over the corpse and receive payment. The turkey is then usually packed in ice and sent wherever the demand is, from Valentine to New York. If you have enough ice, the meat will survive transportation anywhere.
It’s entirely possible that you are eating an animal that lived in the Five States, Tennessee, New York, or Georgia. It’s only technology and profit that keeps this cycle going. So remember that next time, if you didn’t kill the turkey yourself, someone else did, and probably at a lower price.
Death in Tumbleweed General Store
By Jose Chavez
The day after Thanksgiving turned bloody in Tumbleweed when a patron lost patience. The day after Thanksgiving has started to become the unofficial start of holiday shopping and as such, is already a busy day for commerce. State governments of the Five States offered another incentive to shop on the day after Thanksgiving: gold nuggets. Together, this led to busier than usual days at shops like the general store in Tumbleweed. “We had a mix of the usual folks, others looking for a deal, and some just wanting the gold nuggets,” said Miss Mavis Chambers, who runs the general store in town, “and wouldn’t you know it, it was the folks wanting just the gold that were the most tiresome.”
One such patron was stuck in a line several customers deep. The customer at the counter was a regular picking up a mix of usual items and sale items. She needed a bit of help so it took quite awhile. The patron who wanted gold finally had enough. “Can I just get my gold nuggets and be on my damn way!” the man shouted, according to witnesses in the store. He was ignored, as threats do not mean much in a town like Tumbleweed. Then the man pulled out his pistol and threatened to shoot if he did not get his gold nuggets. A nearby deputy heard the threat and shot the man in the head.
“Sounds to me like the man attempted to rob the general store,” said Sheriff Sam Freeman, “so my deputy acted accordingly.” No other incidents were reported in Tumbleweed that day.
Three bodies found in Lake Isabella! Executioner still on the prowl!
By Jane Duran
In a shocking turn of events, the Executioner may still be at large. The lakes of Ambarino were only recently reopened and fishermen returned to the isolated state. One fisherman was fishing at Lake Isabella when he saw a body float to the surface just under the ice. “Well, I panicked for a moment but cleaned up my camp and rode into Strawberry,” the fisherman said. In Strawberry a posse was rounded up, which included a federal investigator who has taken up residence in the town for the Executioner investigation. Two days later a diver arrived and expanded the search in the icy water. Two additional bodies were found. Two of the bodies remain unidentified, but the third was identified as Leigh Silvers.
Silvers was recently divorced after his wife found out that he cheated on her with their live in babysitter. The divorce was finalized just last week, so Silvers can be placed in a court house while the strict closure of Ambarino bodies of water was being observed. “It is possible that a body could have been dumped while the lakes were closed,” admitted the investigator, “but it seems unlikely, and all the same, Silvers was definitely alive while our current suspect was under arrest.” That suspect, Gibson Smith, just had the case against him fall apart. While the investigator could not say for certain that Mr. Smith will be released, his lawyer was already petitioning the court upon learning of this new information.
Blackwater loses another doctor
By Odell Clifton
Though modernizing at a rapid rate, Blackwater has failed in keeping a doctor in the city. In fact, for injuries that require a doctor, Blackwater residents have to be driven by wagon to Valentine. The trip from Blackwater to Valentine is not particularly long, but can be risky for those who are injured or in poor health. That is to say nothing of the threat posed by outlaws that wander the Five States. For a few weeks, Dr. Colt Fitzsimmons has resided in Blackwater and saw to the towns health. However, this week, Dr. Fitzsimmons was found dead in his office, leaving Blackwater doctorless once again.
Residents of Blackwater have mixed opinions on Dr. Fitzsimmons. Some residents say he is a life saver. “I broke my leg, bleeding bad,” said one resident, “would have died if I had to go to Valentine, so just glad to have a doctor here, even if he ain’t the cheapest option around.” The price point of the doctor’s service is the center of those mixed opinions. Just last week a young boy died of an undiagnosed illness when his parents could not afford Dr. Fitzsimmons services. “If I give my services away free to those who can’t afford, I’d be a pauper myself,” Dr. Fitzsimmons had said at the time. Late this week, a patient entered the office to see Dr. Fitzsimmons for a previously scheduled appointment only to find him dead in his seat. Dr. Fitzsimmons was killed with a knife stabbed into his chest, directly into his heart. A lump of coal was found in his chest pocket. Other ‘lump of coal’ victims were shot through the heart, whereas this victim was stabbed. Authorities believed the same killer is responsible. “We are assuming the choice of a knife was due to the killing taking place in town, among civilization,” an investigator said, “but the lump of coal strongly indicates the killer is the same.”
Valentine stores see more visitors in a single day than all last month combined
By Emery Cosberry
Despite being known as the most dangerous town in the Five States, the gold nugget bonuses and amazing sales did not drive people to violence in Valentine. Where impatience and frustration ruled the day elsewhere, friendliness and the benefit of the doubt reigned supreme in Valentine. The town doctor had a deal on herbs and had a line out of the door. Instead of getting feisty, folks had friendly conversations. The gun store was giving away ammunition with purchases along with discounts on gun cleaning. While several folks in line pulled out their guns, it was not to threaten or intimidate, but to show off a prized possession getting cleaned up. “I admit, I was quite surprised,” said Sheriff Curtis Malloy, who also admitted to have more deputies on duty than normal.
The day continued on peacefully and by nightfall, the flow of shoppers trickled. The regulars found themselves in Smithfield’s Saloon. They were all quite shocked to have a quiet day despite how many visitors went through. One resident lamented, “I almost wish there was at least one gun shot, just don’t feel normal!” Another resident decided to oblige him and fired his gun in the air. The drinkers all chaired at the comforting sound until a scream broke their cheers. The shot fired up into the air went into the second story and killed a man sleeping. The shooter was promptly arrested and the rest of the night was a somber affair. It seems in Valentine, you ought not push fate and let peace be.
Stampede at the tailor leads to multiple injuries and one death
By Aloysius Levron
Saint Denis is known as one of the most fashionable towns in the United States, certainly the most fashionable in the Five States. When the Saint Denis tailor decided to hold a sale in addition to the state of Lemoyne’s offer of gold nuggets, many patrons came from all over the Five States. As befits a civilized city such as Saint Denis, no gun violence broke out. However, even patrons of fancy wares can get fierce and competitive. The tailor had already announced limited stock and so as soon as the doors were open, customers burst in. The tailor’s shop was complete chaos for the first twenty minutes as patrons grabbed clothes off racks and lined up. It was not until the fifth patron lined up that the chaos of the previous few minutes was realized. The tailor had been trampled immediately upon opening the doors and laid on the floor, alive but severely injured. He was not the only victim.
Several other shoppers were found on the floor, with at least one not breathing. One shopper immediately ran for the city’s doctor. Others fled the scene with clothes in the hands. Still others remained in line. “I didn’t hurt nobody so I ain’t leaving my spot in line,” said one shopper, “this deal is once in a lifetime, I’m sure the clerk will be okay.” The doctor arrived with several townsfolk and the injured were carted away. Some were treated where they were. The customer who was not breathing was pronounced dead at the scene. Saint Denis Police arrived and closed the store, removing patrons without making purchases. The tailor survived his injuries and announced that sales prices will be honored at a later date.
Guns of the Past still Roar!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
If you look upon your mantlepiece, you likely will see an artifact of a bygone era. Many citizens of this nation still carry the guns that their fathers and grandfathers used in wars of ages past. From Springfield Rifles of 1861 to Brown Besses of the Revolution. These weapons are entirely obsolete, replaced with smokeless powder and rapid-fire weaponry. Reports of late even note self-loading rifles are likely to be of the future.
But that does not mean all of these guns merely collect dust from here until the end of time. Some hunters are using these weapons as we speak. Some find the higher amount of gunpowder required to fire, somewhat more powerful when hunting elk or other large animals. But for many, it’s nostalgia that powers this pursuit. It’s like walking with spirits; touching an object that helped an ancestor get through life is a powerful feeling.
Some gunmakers even continue to make these old-fashioned weapons, for those who are nostalgic for a different era but do not possess such firearms. They are never a best seller, but a steady seller nonetheless. In a way, such old traditions are unlikely to die out, merely because those who experienced them, refuse to move past them.
Ice storm comes in from the north
By Frederick Vannesse
The Fall is starting to feel a lot like Winter in New England. A cold front is dropping in from the north, with some of the northernmost reaches of the U.S. already getting hit with the blizzard. New York is already covered in snow as the storm continues moving south. It is expected that the storm will lose power as it moves south into warmer weather, but that is far from reassuring for those in the storm’s path. Several injuries and missing persons have been reported. Though there have not been any confirmed deaths yet, it seems likely a death toll has already started to rise as some of the missing persons are expected to be dead. If you live in New England, you are advised to hunker down and wait the storm out.
The British have all but declared victory in South Africa
By Ivy Seager
Lord Herbert Kitchener, General and Secretary of War, has assumed command of English forces. English forces were previously under command of General Lord Roberts. Lord Kitchener entered South Africa and immediately had success. His strategic decisions has led to several victories for English forces. Taking full command of all English forces in South Africa is a sign of the confidence the Crown has in Lord Kitchener’s leadership. It may also signal that the Crown is tired of the war and looking to bring it to a swift ending.
The Five States Herald 