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.
Massacre in Rhodes brought to an end by a stranger
By Lucien Privett
Rhodes was without a sheriff for a few hours this week and a gun wielding psychopath took advantage of the situation. Rhodes residents say a gunman entered the town and began firing on people indiscriminately. Deputies did respond, but several were quickly killed, which led to other deputies fleeing the town themselves. Residents took cover in their homes as the gunman walked the town killing both townsfolk, animals of burden, and at least one pet. The gunsmith watched from their basement window and said a second gunslinger showed up. “I thought that it was going to get worse, but they just walked around,” the gunsmith said, “the killer didn’t even pay the other gunslinger any mind.” The gunslinger observed the carnage and seemed to not care much about it until they came to a dead dog.
“That fella saw red, least his face flashed angry red,” the gunsmith said, “then they looked around and seemed to be on the hunt.” A deputy taking cover saw the gunslinger track down the dog killer and promptly killed them. Deputies came out of cover at that point, happy that the massacre was over. Deputies did have to chase the town savior out of town, however, to save face and pretend they ran off the attacker. Townsfolk saw enough to know the deputies were lying. Sheriff Gray offered to pay for alcohol for the town to calm folks down.
New Austin hunter puts a bounty on condors
By Jose Chavez
A hunter has had enough of New Austin’s condors. Cullen Bell offered gold nuggets for condor feathers this week. The feathers themselves were not really his goal, just used as proof that the condors were killed. “I grow tired of these scavengers spoiling my kills,” Mr. Bell said, “I often take down more than one beast before I dismounting and skinning them.” Mr. Bell further explained that while he skins one kill, condors are scavenging his others. “I am tired of heading to my next kill only to find condors all over the damn carcass already,” the hunter said. While he can easily scare them off, he says they completely ruin the kill. He is now on a crusade to eliminate New Austin’s condor species. “What is the point of a bird that can’t get its own food and wants to steal from humans?” Mr. Bell asked, “it is just uncivilized!” Several have managed to claim the bounties, showing that Mr. Bell is serious about his goal.
Woman found barely concious near O’Creagh’s Run
By Jane Duran
A fisherman headed to O’Creagh’s Run saw a woman laying on the ground, hidden by the brush. “I wasn’t sure if she was dead or even a trap,” the fisherman said, “so I had one hand on my pistol when I checked on her.” Though it was smart to be cautious, it proved unnecessary. The woman neither dead nor a trap, but she was seriously injured. Moving the woman proved difficult as nearly every movement was painful for her. “Luckily I had my wagon so I was able to load her up and get her out of there,” the fisherman said. The trip was long, as they had to take the bumpy roads carefully but they made it to Valentine where the woman was treated. She had two broken ribs but the doctor believes she will live. She explained that she had been foraging and spooked a moose, which charged her. Moose are powerful animals and can easily kill someone. She is lucky to have survived.
Dispute over bounty in Blackwater
By Odell Clifton
A bounty hunter found themselves afoul of the law this week after a dispute over payment. The bounty hunter brought in a bounty that was knocked out, but breathing. The deputy paid the dead rate, however, which the bounty hunter noticed only after exiting the Sheriff’s Office. The bounty hunter walked back in saying the target was alive and they were owed more money and a gold nugget bonus on top. The deputy denied this, saying that there is no way to know if the outlaw brought in will ever even wake up. “Suppose he never wakes up and dies here in a cell,” the deputy said, “then we would have overpaid the bounty.” The bounty hunter got physical, pushing the deputy before two others aimed their pistols at him. The bounty hunter was then put in the same cell as the outlaw they brought in. The bounty hunter then strangled the outlaw right there. “Paid for dead, you get them dead,” they said.
Man found dead at Flatneck Station
By Donna Deshner
Train riders disembarking at Flatneck Station were shocked to find a dead body at the poker table. Several hurried off in fear and one gentleman is said to have feinted at the sight. State police were notified and the train continued to Valentine. A local policy that included two deputies arrived before state police. The deceased as found on their back, a chair broken underneath them. Investigators believe another player must have attacked them, knocking them over in the process. The victim was stabbed multiple times with a large knife. Investigators did not find anything at the scene that could identify the killer, though one witness provided a clue regarding the motive.
“I heard a couple people arguing in the building so I just stayed out,” the witness said, “then I heard someone yell, ‘stop max betting!'” The witness then described a strange sound he could not describe followed by a scream and a crash. “I decided not to wait for the train and just ran to Valentine!” the witness admitted. If the witness is to be believed, the unexplained sound may have been the killer thrusting the knife into the victim’s chest. As the witness only heard the altercation, they were unable to provide a physical description of the attcker.
“The truth is, we will likely not be able to identify the killer,” a deputy said, “they could have rode away or even boarded the damn train during the commotion!” The man died with a pair of twos.
Italian Brawl in Saint-Denis Market!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
The kingdom of Italy has been through a lot these past few years, its somewhat transient population across the United States, if not more so. I need not remind everyone of the things done to them, past and present. So it’s perhaps understandable that many have a chip on their shoulder.
This afternoon at the market, a local group of Italians, not affiliated with the criminal organization, I must add, managed to cause a rather large street fight. It was instigated against a group of Germans, and some local Saint-Denis citizens. Over what, nobody seems to know. Past national prejudice? Attempted robbery? Just a desire to fight?
It took an hour for local police to quell the fighting. Nobody was killed, but numerous individuals and bystanders were hurt. A couple cowpokes who were looking for “treasure” attempted to flee but were captured for disturbing the peace. One left a hat behind, a very nice leather one.
Police already have at least half the department guarding the prisoners; there is no desire to see another mob break in and dispense justice without legal authority. The few people involved with the brawl seemed quite pleased with the fight, and not regretful in the slightest.
Petition for Five States growth programs continues to grow
By Adam Parvey
A petition making the rounds demanding that the powers that be invest in the Five States continues to grow. It has reached over 6,000 signatures. Supporters of the petition are optimistic that if enough residents support it, the powers that be will see that there is still money to be made here. “Too many folks think there is just not enough money in the Five States,” said one signatory of the petition, “and it’s time we show them that there are plenty of us here that would willingly spend more money in the Five States if given the opportunity.” Though support for the petition grows, others are pessimistic. “I signed it because I want to be optimistic,” sai done signer, “but I don’t think there is much hope of it doing anything.” No government announcements about the petition have been made. Neither have private investors discussed it.
The Five States Herald 