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.
Christmas-time in the Five States tainted by violent encounters
By Adam Parvey
Violence continues to rise int he Five States, even against the backdrop of a peaceful Christmas season. The Five States was once celebrated for its friendliness. Despite danger lurking around every corner, most folks you encountered offered a tip of the hat or a wave and then went on their day. Leaving folks alone seems to be part of a bygone era, however. Today it is common to read about reports of harassment, new residents in the area following and harassing others. Sometimes the harassment does not reach the level of breaking the law, such as in the incident where a naturalist had just sedated an animal only for their harasser to kill it. Other cases have not only broken the law, but all sense of morals.
Weeks ago a woman was abducted. She was tackled and hogtied before being placed on her abductor’s horse. Thankfully, her screams for help were answered and a stranger killed the abductor before untying her and setting her free. Many had hoped that the Christmas season would bring peace to the region, as it often does. However, this year, there appears to be two serial killers on the loose and more violent new arrivals than ever before. While safety in the Five States could never be guarantied, it is more out of reach than ever. While out this snowy Christmas season, be wary of others but, do not shoot first least youmerely add to the unnecessary violence.
Snowy New Austin weather being investigated
By Jose Chavez
A meteorologist arrived in New Austin weeks ago to study the snow in the area. Snow in New Austin has long puzzled many, as the temperature in the region is too high for snow to form. Yet, snow falls as it does elsewhere in the region. The meteorologist, Ruebin Rithalle, said it is peculiar. “While I do not yet have an answer, it is quite strange,” Mr. Rithalle said, “I did note, however, that whenever it snows in one state in the Five States it snows in all states, which is peculiar, right?” Mr. Rithalle is working on a theory that he admits makes little sense. The theory is that the Five States, due to some unknown reason, has its own weather system.
“It is as if the Five States is in a bubble,” said Mr. Rithalle. He also cautioned that any snow able to form in New Austin is likely to have significant heat resistance and may be much colder to the touch than expected. Playing in any snow requires proper gear, such as gloves and thick clothes and boots. In New Austin, Mr. Rithalle says extra precautions should be taken, such as an extra layer of clothes.
Gunfight in Colter!
By Jane Duran
Colter is a long deserted town in an advanced state of disrepair. Yet, this week it was home to a massive gunfight. Though snow falls all over the Five States this time of year, for many in the region, Colter is an ideal holiday location. Its very state of disrepair bringing a certain kind of charm to the ghost town. “For many, it’s a place stuck in time, stuck in a better time,” said a lawman, “so folks like to visit, pretend they are on some Christmas adventure.” That Christmas adventure was interrupted when outlaws attacked. “Ain’t nothing worth anything in Colter,” the lawman continued, “but those travelers have lots of somethings that a quite valuable, more often than not.” The outlaws attacked suddenly, catching many of the visitors to the town by surprise. However, a group of seasoned gunslingers were also visiting the area and lent a hand.
The four organized the visitors into defensive positions, making use of any able bodied man or woman in defense of Colter. The group successfully fended off the attack until several bears charged in. “The bears nearly overwhelmed us,” said one visitor, “but them cowboys saved our lives.” The four organizing the defense had impressive sharpshooting skills, making short work of the bears. Though the defenders successfully pushed the attackers away, two deaths and several injuries were reported.
Great Plains horse race ends in controversy
By Odell Clifton
A horse race ends with a legendary racer dead. Isadora Ebbs was a well known horse racer in the Five States. A purest, Miss Ebbs refused to use weapons during a race even when they were allowed. Through sheer skill and a carefully placed nudge here and there, Miss Ebbs was able to make a mark on Five States horse racing without firing a single shot at another racer. Such a cruel twist of fate then, that Miss Ebbs was killed by a gunshot during a race. The race in question was set up in the Great Plains and of course, Miss Ebbs was doing well. “She wasn’t leading the back, but was in the thick of it, right where she usually is,” said a witness, “then she started pulling away and bam, a gunshot was fired and that was it.”
Miss Ebb fell off her horse to the ground, dead instantly. The man who shot her went on to win the race but was arrested for murder. With so many witnesses, authorities are confident the man will spend the rest of his life behind bars.
Assassination attempt on Leviticus Cornwall!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Leviticus Cornwall barely escaped an attack with his life this week. Authorities learned of the attack hours after it occurred. Mr. Cornwall was on a carriage headed to Valentine, where he planned to jump on the train. Mr. Cornwall was traveling late as a result of his long workdays. In addition to Mr. Cornwall, the carriage had a driver, a shotgunner, two guards inside, and one guard riding on the rear of the carriage. Despite how heavily guarded Mr. Cornwall was, a bold attempt on his life was still made and was nearly successful. One of the surviving guards said a man wearing a red and white outfit was riding quickly behind them, but started to pass. “It seemed he may have been in more of a hurry than us,” said the guard, “but instead of pass, he got even with the carriage.”
The man fit the description of the man being called the ‘Coal Killer.’ After matching speeds with the carriage the man pulled a pistol and shot inside the carriage. The shot would have hit Mr. Cornwall, however, one of the guards jumped between Mr. Cornwall and the shooter, taking the shot in the back. The guard riding on the rear managed to take a shot, but missed, then was shot himself, causing him to fall off the wagon. The shotgunner was then flung from the carriage when the carriage hit a bump in the road and the final guard was shot and killed, leaving Mr. Cornwall and the driver. The driver lost control of the carriage, going off road and getting stuck in bushes so he fled.
Mr. Cornwall said his life flashed before his eyes in that moment. “For all the good I’ve done, the jobs I provided, the quality of life I have made accessible,” Mr. Cornwall said, “I truly thought I was to be paid for it all by an untimely death.” The attacker pulled Mr. Cornwall from the carriage, tossing him to the ground and put a lump of coal in his chest pocket. He aimed his pistol at Mr. Cornwall but a gunshot from the distance hit the attacker in the soldier. Valentine deputies heard the gunshots and came out to investigate, arriving in time to save Mr. Cornwall’s life. The deputies opened fire wildly, forcing the attacker to flee over a hill, where he seemed to disappear.
Mr. Cornwall provided the best description of the ‘Coal Killer’ yet. In addition to the red outfit with white trim, he was described as tall and wide, red in the face with a wild white beard.
Statewide hunt for murderous camper
By Emery Cosberry
A report was filed by a traveler after they were attacked while trying to be friendly. They said they encountered a man camping in the Heartlands and rode up to say hello. The camper, however, did not seem to want company. The traveler slowly backed away, respecting the man’s desire to be left along. However, the man was attacked by the camper. “I know it was his ‘territory,’ if you will, but I was quite friendly,” the traveler said, “but he still decided to throw dynamite at me.” The explosions rocked the traveler, sending him and his horse to the ground.
The traveler scampered away as a second dynamite was thrown. While they got away, their horse did not. They fled as quick as they could to Valentine and reported the crime, but the camp was gone when the posse arrived. No physical description of the camper was obtained.
Investigation underway into death of a man at the Saint Denis stables
By Aloysius Levron
A man was found dead this week in the Saint Denis stables. A stablehand arrived early to open up shop when the man was found. “I saw him and thought he was asleep at first,” the stablehand said, “but he was cold to the touch and not breathing.” The police were called and an investigation started immediately. That investigation is still underway, though the stable has been reopened for business. Saint Denis police do not think foul play was involved. “We think this was an unfortunate accident,” the policeman said, “the doors had a fault that prevented them from opening, so we think this was an accident.”
The investigation is focused on that fault in the door. If the fault was from manufacturing or general wear and tear, then the death will almost certainly be ruled an accident. However, police are at least entertaining the idea that the fault was created intentionally, which would result in a murder charge. The stablehands that worked the night previous said they thought the man had left already and did not hear anyone in the stables when the closed up for the night.
Saint-Denis Man to Repair Colosseum!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
There are few buildings in this world as iconic as the great Colosseum of Rome. You know what it looks like even if you’ve never set foot in Italy. A grand arena for the Roman Empire, entertainment for the masses.
Well, it’s not quite the days of Augusta anymore; the Colosseum has sat ruined for millennia, and its walls do not echo the cheers and jeers of long ago. But the bones still stand, and much can be built around that and may be built.
An Italian architect living in Saint-Denis, Giovanni De Angelis, has been selected by the King of Italy, Umberto I, to lead the reconstruction project. He believes that the glory of Rome, in a way, shall be reborn if the Colosseum is rebuilt to what it once was.
The costs are expected to be astronomical, and the time to build will take years, but De Angelis has already booked passage as we speak. Some projects are worth the time and effort, even if that time is long, and the effort nearly endless. I wish him well, even if I hold much reservations towards his goals.
Plague discovered in Hawaii
By Frederick Vannesse
A mysterious illness began spreading in Hawaii early this month. That illness has been identified as the bubonic plague. Attempts to reduce the spread of the plague have been hampered by the increase in immigration. The increase in immigration has resulted in crowded residential areas, conditions rife for the spreading diseases. The plague has been tracked back to a shipment of rice in October, which was noted for carrying a large amount of rats. At the time it was not known that the rats were infected. Doctors will be traveling to Hawaii with support staff to help address the crisis.
Physicists couple discovers a new element (again)!
By Ivy Seager
Pierre and Marie Curie have shocked the world again, announcing a second discovery this year. Earlier this year the couple discovered an element they named ‘polonium.’ The discovery shook the physicist world, though most of the world did not notice. While the impact of the discovery is still being figured out, the Curies discovered another element. This element they named ‘radium.’ The discoveries are the result of Marie’s work with uranium. She discovered that emissions of rays from uranium compounds was an atomic property of uranium itself. The process, which Marie labeled radioactivity, inspired her husband to team up with her on her project which ultimately led to the discovery of polonium and radium. It may take years to see the impact of these discoveries.
The Five States Herald 