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.
New interstate agency forms, results in hundreds of removals across the Five States
By Adam Parvey
Hundreds of residents were woken up this week being forcefully removed from the Five States. There was massive confusion early on as residents were unaware of why they were removed from the region. Eventually people started putting the pieces together and it was realized that everyone who had been removed was formerly from Pawnee County before moving to the Five States. The victims of the removal varied from hardened outlaws to apparently, innocent folks who just wanted to be left alone. “I knew one person who got removed, he was a fella who harassed a lot of others,” one resident said, “I called him the wizard, because the man seemed to be magic.” One person removed filed a complaint with the federal government, claiming a violation of rights. “I was a productive member of the Five States, never hurt anyone,” they said, “never hurt a soul but opted to mind my own business, keeping to myself and alone most of the time.”
Days after the removals started, answers were finally provided. The states that make up the Five States formed an interstate agency, the Five States Marshals. The newly formed marshals have authority in all five states, though they must respect local townships and cities. The Five States Marshals decided their first act was to remove former citizens of Pawnee County due to ‘faulty immigration papers.’ “We from PC are being unfairly targeted,” said one, “it ain’t right and our appeals are being ignored.” Attorneys are working on behalf of affected residents. Marshal Clay Herriman, appointed leader of the Five States Marshals, explained the agency’s first action. “For too long folks have brought certain tools and equipment from Pawnee County and used it to terrorize others,” Said Marshal Herriman, “well that ends now.” Marshal Herriman dismissed concerns about innocent residents being removed. “If you are using tools crafted in Pawnee County to disrupt life int he Five States, you aren’t innocent,” Marshal Herriman said to a gathered crowd who booed Herriman and his agents.
Marshal Herriman said the Five States is about to be a safer area. When asked if this meant new investments were coming to the region, Marshal Herriman had no comment.
Highwayman’s career cut short
By Jose Chavez
Tumbleweed deputies received a report of a highwayman not far from the town. Though it was out of the town’s lawmen’s authority, they did round up a posse to go put an end to the highwayman’s misdeeds. However, they met a man an injured man and stopped to help him. The injured man informed them that the highwayman was no more. “That feller was going to kill me for not giving him no more,” the man said, “but then I heard galloping and another man arrived.”
They highwayman shifted his focus to the newcomer, who at first, attempted to ride around the highwayman. “The feller roped him good and yanked him off his horse,” the injured man said, “I ain’t proud to say it, but I fled, I had no way of helping you see.” The man said as he turned around, however, the new victim cut through the lasso that bound him and charged the highwayman. “It was too far to see what happened, but that highwayman fell to the ground.” The posse split up to escort the man to Tumbleweed while others continued on the path. They found the highwayman’s body. He had been stabbed in the neck.
Witness spots the Executioner!
By Jane Duran
Special Agent Rice Philips announced the biggest break in the Executioner investigation this week. A witness reported seeing someone dumping a body north of Donner Falls. The witness rode to Valentine as quick as they could and reported the incident. “It was almost dark, but I see the fella taking a body off their horse and dropping it in the water there,” the witness said, “it was a small fella, slight of frame, surprised he could carry a body at all.” Special Agent Philips investigated with a team of agents early the next morning. “We searched the area and it did not take long to find a body,” announced Special Agent Philips. The body was found wedged between two rocks while likely on its way toward plunging down Donner Falls.
The body was identified, but that identity is being kept secret for the time being. It was confirmed that the victim was recently reported missing and their late wife confirmed infidelity. Though the physical description is not much, it is most investigators have had to work with since the investigation started.
Patient woman released after killing stranger
By Odell Clifton
Witnesses say a woman was harassed by a stranger. The man followed the woman around pointing a gun at her. According to the townsfolk, the woman waved at the man and tried to get him to stand down. Eventually, the man put his rifle down only to pull out a pistol and fire on the woman. “He was close and she wasn’t moving fast, but he missed,” said a witness, “and well, she was faster and a better shot.” The woman pulled out her own pistol and fired, shooting the man in the head. She was arrested promptly by Blackwater police.
Witnesses flooded the Blackwater Police Department and demanded the woman’s release. Chief Oswald Dunbar heard the witnesses out and was eventually persuaded by their statements. “They said she was harassed and followed, and was shot at,” said Chief Dunbar, “and self defense, well that is perfectly acceptable.” The woman was then released and her property returned to her.
Sound of Time Itself Comforting or Annoying?
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Do you know what time it is? Probably not at a glance, but you sure can feel the passage of time because of the little clock in your pocket. The pocket watch has been with us for many decades and isn’t likely to vanish anytime soon. For most people, that’s a good thing, but of course, not everyone is pleased with them.
It’s not the cost; most pocket or turnip watches aren’t that expensive. They can be pricey if you want something fancy, but all clocks work similarly. It’s not anger at the brands; Waltham isn’t any more cruel than your average mass-production company. No, it’s the very sound they make.
For some, the constant ticking of a watch is like nails on a chalkboard, making it hard to concentrate or even sleep. Multiple people in Annesburg refuse even to own a pocket watch; working in the mines is loud enough, and the sound of a clock is just one step too far.
Yet some find it oddly relaxing; multiple sheep herders in Valentine actually find the ticking soothing and drowns out the sounds of livestock. What makes someone hate or love the simple clicking of a watch informing the user that time has passed? None can say, more intelligent people than me aren’t even sure. It is like time itself, ever-present, and moving forward.
Valentine deputy found dead, lump of coal in their pocket
By Emery Cosberry
The so called ‘Coal Killer’ has struck again, this time killing a lawman. Deputy Murray Mellville was found dead on Tuesday morning in his home. Though the method of killing was different, authorities believe the Coal Killer is responsible. “Deputy Mellville was stabbed through the heart, instead of shot,” said Sheriff, “but, he had coal placed in the chest pocket of his sleeping shirt.” Early in the investigation, Valentine deputies suggested it was a copycat killer. However, that notion was dismissed due to revealed facts about Deputy Mellville and a witness who claimed to have seen the killer fleeing Deputy Mellville’s home. “It was brought to my attention that Deputy Mellville may have abused his authority,” admitted Sheriff Malloy, “unfortunately, this was not brought to my attention until now, so I couldn’t do a thing about it.” Deputy Mellville was said to steal drinks, food, ammunition, and more while using his status as a deputy to get away with it. “He once told me if I didn’t give him a room for himself and a woman, and keep quiet about it, he’d investigate me,” said the town hotel owner, Arnold Dunn.
The witness said they saw a man with a “bright, white beard” leave Deputy Mellville’s home, but at the time had no reason to suspect any harm being done. “The man was tall, a bit wide too,” the witness said, “dressed in all red and if I didn’t know any better, well, I’d think it was Kris Kringle himself.” Authorities dismissed the idea that the killer is Santa Claus, but did send out a notice across the telegraph to be on the look out for a “large man, white beard, red clothing, considered armed and dangerous.” Nobody in the town of Valentine fit the description.
Alligator terrorizes Saint Denis
By Aloysius Levron
Residents of Saint Denis were shocked this week when a bit of the bayou came into the modern city when an alligator walked through the town. The alligator was first spotted north, outside of the tailor shop. The area is frequented by the well off, folks who likely have not been outside of the city except in the shelter of a guarded carriage. A panic started once the alligator was noticed. According to one witness, a man exited the tailor in a brand new suit only to wet himself at the sight of the alligator. “I had a good laugh, you see, I ain’t so afraid of alligators,” the witness said, “but it wasn’t my job to help, see as I wasn’t being paid or nothin.'” Saint Denis police responded but were not trained for the situation, with the first responding officer fleeing when the alligator charged.
The alligator continued to terrorize the streets of Saint Denis until bad luck struck, for the beast at least. A street car operator was unaware of the commotion and did not see the alligator, striking it with the trolley.
The impact did not kill the alligator, however, but it did stop it in its tracks. A stranger passing through pulled out a rifle and shot the alligator in the head, saying it was best to put the creature out of its misery. It took several hours to cleanup the area and free the trolley. Authorities are unsure how the alligator arrived in Saint Denis or why.
Clothing of Today and Tomorrow
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Look at your closet, just a casual glance. Do you know what fabric makes up your attire? Perhaps you do; more likely, you didn’t consider such a thing. The odds are your shirt, vest, dress, or what have you is made of linen.
Linen looks like mere cotton to most people, but it’s a little cheaper and sometimes a bit stronger. Cotton itself isn’t that far behind it in popularity, comparable as well to wool. All these materials aren’t very difficult to procure; it’s merely the price that changes.
These are the standards of now, but will the standards of tomorrow be? Leather makes up most of our boots and shoes; some have proposed making entire clothing out of it. Fur remains an item of the rich, but maybe, like the color purple was centuries ago, it too will be claimed by all classes. Cowhides are sometimes found in the pants of cowpokes; perhaps that will become standard in big cities.
All I know is that fashion trends are never stable and consistent; they are ever-evolving and reinventing themselves. In the 1500s, men wore heels, imagine that.
New type of golf tee patented
By Frederick Vannesse
Do you enjoy golf? Well, do you enjoy carrying a box of wet sand with you? For those who do not golf, a box of wet sand is provided to golfers who use it to form a mound. The golf ball is placed on the mound, where it is then struck by the golfer. George F Bryant has invented a new type of tee that will replace the mounds of wet sand. The new tee, made of wood, is much smaller than the box of wet sand and much lighter. The tee has a point on one end, which allows it to be easily inserted into the ground. The other end is larger and concave in shape, where the ball can rest easily. This new tee will revolutionize golfing, says George F Bryant, and speed up the game.
Frenchman prepared to set first ever motor vehicle speed record
By Ivy Seager
Count Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat of Paris is planning to set a speed record tomorrow. Motor vehicles are growing in popularity and County Gaston wants to have his name in the record books. A short track is being set up specifically for the attempt. The track will minimize risks by being made specifically for the motor vehicle’s design. The paved road will allow the tires to grip better, ensuring the vehicle will remain under the Count’s control. Additionally, the entire attempt will be on a straight away, reducing the likelihood of losing control due to sharp turns. The count believes he can get his motor vehicle to go over 40 miles per hour.
The Five States Herald 