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.
Gang war explodes across the Five States!
By Frederick Vannesse
All over the Five States two unknown gangs engaged in explosive combat! Authorities claim the gangs were only identified by a red or blue sash on their belts. The identity of the gangs or their members remains unknown. The fights that erupted took place in all states, including Ambarino. Authorities are operating under the assumption that the fighting across the Five States was related. “While we know little about the gang members, it cannot be a coincidence that fighting between opposing gangs wearing red or blue sashes erupted at the same time,” said a federal investigator, “why the fighting all occurred now remains a mystery.” The first reported gang fight was at Bolger Glade, which was dismissed by Rhodes sheriffs. “Lots of… Southerners like to go out to the Glade and, shoot guns off and… relive their glory days,” said a deputy, “we figured it was more of that, they even shoot canons and dynamite, so the explosions weren’t surprising either.”
However, soon a gang fight erupted in Tumbleweed that was so intent deputies had to evacuate the town until it was over. A gang fight even took over Cornwall Kerosene & Tar. “Several guards had left on a train to guard it, we were too short staffed to launch a counterattack so we had to fall back into the nearby woods,” said a guard. Several of the gang members on both sides were killed, however, they could not be identified. “It was a grisly affair, truth be told,” said one lawman who arrived at one of the scenes, “the dead were blown up and burned, looks like dynamite thrown around with abandon.” Every scene was described this way, bodies blown up by dynamite with few even in one piece. “Why people would want to do this to each other is beyond my reckoning,” said a federal investigator, “but this makes it impossible to identify the deceased which will certainly hamper our investigation.”
Authorities are asking for anybody with information to come forward. “Folks who know about either gang, the red or blue sashed side, I don’t care, should speak to their local sheriff,” said the federal investigator, “we will get the report from them.”
Traveler left for dead in the New Austin desert
By Jose Chavez
Cornelius Hayes was found in a bad war about a mile outside of Tumbleweed. He was dehydrated, bruised, bleeding, and near death. After recovering for a day, Mr. Hayes explained what happened. He said he was actually on his way to Tumbleweed when a stranger rode up to him and aimed a gun at him. “At first, I said I didn’t want any trouble, but then they pulled out a second gun,” Mr. Hayes said, “I had no choice and reached for my own revolver when, well they lasso’d me instead.” From there, Mr. Hayes said he was pulled off his horse and dragged across the hot desert ground. He said he attempted to cut the rope, but he could not cut through it and lost the knife as he was being dragged.
“By the time I was released I was barely even awake and could not move,” Mr. Hayes said, “I remember pain, burning, then blackness, then Tumbleweed.” Mr. Hayes remained in Tumbleweed for several days to recover, which was a good thing because his horse walked into town a day after Mr. Hayes was brought in. The horse needed water badly but is in fine health otherwise, according to the town stablehands. Though the reason for the heinous attack is unknown, Mr. Hayes is happy to still be alive.
Revitalization plans announced
By Jane Duran
The Ambarino State government has announced plans to revitalize the abandoned mining town of Colter. Colter was never a bustling town, but at one point had been a successful mining operation. Folks made a living in Colter as miners or providing services miners needed such as food, alcohol, gambling, and entertainment. The town was abandoned in 1884 when a massive storm came in. Much of the town was destroyed and what remained standing was badly damaged. It was determined that the remaining resources in the mine were not worth the repair costs. Now the state wants to restore the town as a tourist attraction. Many officials believe that people will come and pay to take tours of Colter to view the ‘old west’ before it all fades away. It is also believed that this may make it worthwhile to mine the remaining resources there. The plan is to begin revitalization efforts within the year.
Outlaws deter hunters in the Great Plains
By Odell Clifton
Hunters looking to hunt bison in the Great Plains this week had a difficult time. It started when a two hunters ride into Blackwater with arrows still piercing their bodies. It was their misfortune to arrive while the town has no doctor, as doctors rarely seem to stick around Blackwater. Fortunately, arrow removal is not complicated. The town butcher and a Blackwater Policeman managed to help the men. “They looked like pin cushions,” said the policeman with a laugh, “and said they were hunting bison when they were set upon by a gang of outlaws with bow and arrows.” As the day went on other hunters came into Blackwater, some with the dead bodies of their friends. Each of them were trying to hunt bison. “We figure it’s the Skinner Gang,” said the policeman, “though they rarely leave Tall Trees, so it may be an unknown gang of outlaws, but who knows why they are protecting bison!”
A Blackwater resident offered an alternative explanation. “It may not be outlaws at all, but good people, protecting a sacred animal,” said the townsfolk, “maybe the hunters playing victim are the bad guys.” The Blackwater police dismissed this claim as inconsistent with the law.
Valentine shootout leads to unfortunate result
By Donna Deshner
A common sight had an uncommon result in Valentine this week. A man minding his own business was riding through Valentine when witnesses say a cowpoke pulled out a gun. The man quickly dismounted and pulled out his own gun in one smooth motion and fired on the cowpoke. The shootout was over before any tension could even build. Deputies responded but one deputed witnessed it and called off the others. To everyone’s surprise, the cowpoke who was shot groaned. He was still alive.
He his rushed to the town doctor. “He may be miscreant who got what was coming to him,” said a deputy, “but we gotta save him so he can serve his time.” Dr. Ben Calloway examined the man and determined his injury was not life threatening and that he would survive. “There was plenty of blood and his life will almost certainly drastically different,” Dr. Calloway said, “you see the bullet, well… it got the man where… a man might not want to be shot if you understand my meaning.”
The man was treated and will recover, though Dr. Calloway says it likely cannot be called a full recover though he will live a normal length life. Once he has healed enough he will be transferred to Sisika Penitentiary where he will await trial for attempted murder charges. “Whatever he gets charged with and sentenced for,” Dr. Calloway said, “I suspect what he lost will be punishment enough, though the law must be sated.”
Saint-Denis Church to help Homeless and Abused
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
Father O’Leary is a colorful reverend if there ever was one. Known to frequently drink at the Bastille Saloon and for supposedly carrying a derringer pistol, he cuts a unique character. But despite such proclivities, his kindness is quite well known, as noted this week.
Starting today, the Church of the Holy Blessed Virgin is creating an outreach program to assist the many homeless people in Saint-Denis, especially children. O’Leary said that many of the street urchin kids who blanket the streets are like this due to broken homes, abusive parents who do not love their children. O’Leary further noted that by opening his church’s doors to these children to stay during the night and to have a warm meal, this will almost certainly reduce the amount of pickpocketing and petty theft committed in the city. All church staff, including brothers and sisters, are to assist at once.
Local police are skeptical of the claim, believing that such children are like this due to a love of crime and the ease of getting money as a result, but do note that they would love to be proven wrong.
Giant bears spotted in the Five States
By Lucien Privitt
A cowpoke claims to have seen “very large, giant bears” in the Five States. The cowpoke in question, who refused to give a name or explain what they were doing when they spotted the bears, said they never saw anything like it before. “I was in the middle of a job…,” they said, “when the giant bears stampeded by, almost killed me!” They had to take cover, using a special tonic to mask their scent, remained hidden until the bears passed. “Once the beasts passed I had to, get back to my job,” the cowpoke complained. Thought other people have claimed to see giant bears, experts say it is not some hold over from the prehistoric era.
“It is unlikely that any prehistoric bear still roams the world, let alone the Five States,” said Dr. Ben Holland, an expert paleontologist, one who studies ancient life, “there is plenty of alcohol and dehydration in this area though, which may lead one to see things.” Dr. Holland says it is absolutely impossible for such a large bear to exist and remain undetected. Many hunters agreed with this assessment. “If such a large bear existed, even if it could remain mostly unseen, it would leave a trail,” a hunter explained, “there would be a sign of its travel, its foraging, and such.” Despite this, witnesses who claimed to have seen the giant bears remain convinced about what they saw.
The Five States Herald 