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.
Nathaniel Cross pursued across three states
Wanted man, Nathaniel Cross, was spotted just outside Blackwater this week by federal law enforcement. They immediately pursued Cross, resulting in a short gunfight across Blackwater. Nobody was hurt in the crossfire, though Cross did injure at least one pursuing lawman. Cross fled north and agenets followed him as he road across Bard’s Crossing, a railroad bridge. “We suspect that Cross chose to flee across the bridge because he thought we wouldn’t pursue him,” an agent said, “he was wrong.” The agents followed Cross through southern New Hanover. Fortunately there were very few onlookers at risk, as the Flatneck Station was not particularly busy at that time. According to the pursuing agents, one stayed back and sent a telegram asking for backup.
Cross was followed south into Lemoyne, however, they could not follow him any further due to running into a Lemoyne Raiders camp. It is not known if Cross knew of the camp’s location and the led the agents there or if he simply stumbled upon it. Agents are sure, however, that Cross is not working with the group as he was engaged in a gunfight with the group as well. “We came across several Raiders pinning Cross down with gunfire, but as soon as they saw us they started shooting at us instead,” said an agent. Eventually the agents managed to kill all the Raiders, but Cross was gone by then. An anonymous source said tracks were found suggesting that Cross fled north, but he was not spotted again.
Naturalists claim vultures endangered by increased hunting
By Alois Burditt
Naturalists in the Five Starts are often treated with disdain, as they often judge hunters negatively. This week they raised the ire of hunters again when they called for a ban on hunting vultures. “The noble birds are already rare, and no they are being over hunted!,” said naturalist Sue Morison. The carcasses of dead vultures were found all over the state and butchers in the area have said they have purchased more vulture feathers than usual. Naturalists say that if adult vultures continue to be killed at this rate, they will be unable to reproduce or take care of any young already born. This, they say, would be disastrous for the vulture population. The demand for vulture eggs further puts the species at risk. Naturalists are putting together a population management program that includes counting the population numbers and suggest policies to protect the species from hunting.
Moonshine checkpoint ambushed, no survivors
By Jane Duran
A grizzly scene was come upon by federal revenue agents checking in on a checkpoint. Two agents rode to the checkpoint when the agents assigned there did not return when they were scheduled to. “What we saw once we arrived was horrifying,” said one of the agents that arrived at the checkpoint. Every single agent was dead. Some were shot in the head, likely with a rifle, while several others were killed by a shotgun blast to the chest. There were multiple tracks at the scene, with the most recent ones belonging to boots or horses. “We didn’t see a recent wagon trail, so we aren’t sure that it was a moonshine check that went wrong,” one of the agents said. It is possible that the altercation between the agents and their killers may have been related to other law violations. “Outlaws think all lawmen know who they are, so maybe they ran into the checkpoint and thought it was for them,” an agent said. The Bureau of Revenue is rejecting the possibility that it was a targeted attack, saying, “such an effort hasn’t been made since we scared off the Great Plains Sniper.”
Local hunter kills rare Snow Buck
As the sun rose on Tuesday morning local hunter and professional fur-trapper Marvin Warren, was pouring himself a cup of Joe at his camp when he looked out at the woods and caught a glimpse of the bright white coat belonging to the beautiful creature locals have named the “Snow Buck.”
Warren wasted no time springing to action, grabbed his Litchfield, and with one well-aimed shot he was able to take home a 10-point trophy for his wall!
Aurora Basin communal canoe missing!
A beloved canoe that most local residents of Tall Trees have come to call the “Communal Canoe” has gone missing from the lake without a trace! Ask anyone in Tall Trees, and they could most likely pull a fond memory on or including that canoe which gives cause for fishermen and sportsmen alike to be upset about it going missing.
The Skinner Brothers outfit has been ruled out as the main suspects when considered the fact that they’re a land-locked gang with no historical purpose for a canoe. In addition, there haven’t been any local youngsters who have come forward with a tale of juvenile delinquency. The bottom of the Lower Montana Falls was even searched for wreckage but with no signs of activity!
Any information on the canoe’s whereabouts should be reported to Manzanita Post immediately!
Valley alert! Bears galore!
Multiple reports from hunters and travelers around Big Valley of bear sightings have been buzzing throughout the region as of late. An influx of ace-high grizzlies and black bears coming down from Mount Shann and Ambarino isn’t uncommon throughout the year. The problem is the rate they have been entering the area – which has caused concern for most residents despite already being familiar with the Ridgeback Spirit bears who have dens all over the northern end of the Valley.
Some are accusing unnatural Naturalist, Harriet Davenport of inviting them to the Valley with her assortment of game bait caches. Stay vigilant when traveling through the area.
Long last! Payta hunting bounty claimed by duo
The famous Payta bison was brought down less than fifty yards from Hanging Dog Ranch with a Bolt Action Rifle and was transported to Wallace Station.
The next Big Valley Hunting Bounty will be posted next month at Wallace Station!
West Elizabeth Cattle Association Commissioner retires
Boss Quaker lives on a riverside plot of land called Quaker’s Cove, and just recently finished building a new dock on the property. “Now that the dock is accessible me and my boys can take the river up and down to the Lake for good fishin’. We hope to catch some pretty impressive lake sturgeon this summer,” Quaker was quoted saying before casting out his first lines off the new installment.
The now-retired Commissioner had moved to the area when Blackwater was just a large encampment and Strawberry barely a campfire along a creek. The largest settlement during those times was the Fort Riggs Holding Camp although most people stayed clear of it. Quaker led a successful and prosperous career, doing everything in his power to better the lives of ranchers and cattlemen throughout West Elizabeth for years.
Prospects from all over the state are lining up for consideration to fill the shoes of the cowpoke legend!
Cowpoke taken to almshouse after claiming to see a horse sweep
By Donna Deshner
A cowpoke was raving to anyone at Emerald Station who would listen about the most absurd thing one could imagine. A horse, he claims, picked up a broom and began sweeping the floor. Most folks laughed, believing the story to be nothing more than a joke. However, the cowpoke grew stern and insisted that it was the truth. The only other person at the location at the time was the train clerk, who said they were too busy to notice anything. “Folks think that no customers in line means we aren’t working,” said the clerk, “but that is simply not the case.” The clerk did not, however, specify what it is that they were working on. As the unnamed cowpoke become more insistent that his story was real, other travelers began to describe him as more unhinged. Eventually, a group of lawmen arrested the man. “He hadn’t broken any laws but sometimes a fella just needs to sleep off the crazy,” said one of the lawmen. The cowpoke was taken to an almshouse to rest and be assessed by professionals.
WANTED!
Investigators: Travel the Five States and report on what is going on.
Writers: Write the stories investigators find!
Photographers:
To take photographs to be used in the Herald.
Can also do all three!
Italian Immigrants Face Discrimination in Saint-Denis!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
They have often been seen as the lowest of classes, speaking a different language, keeping to themselves, often having a darker complexion, and being friendly with freed slaves. But that racial hatred has been stoked by the increased activity in organized crime. Now without much evidence, any Italian is seen as a criminal or a killer.
Business in local corner groceries is drying up, men are being kicked from either harvesting sugar cane or working in factories. No woman wants to date someone who is seen as racially beneath them. Local government officials aren’t doing much to stem this hatred, neither from the mayor’s office or the governor’s position. Our esteemed lieutenant governor is trying her best, but the job gives her no power to step in. One can only hope this racial anger starts to slow, but judging by history, both new and old in Saint-Denis, I foresee tragedy before progress.
Trick rider amazes residents of Rhodes with unconventional riding technique
By Emeline Vickroy
Residents of Rhodes were amazed when a trick rider rode into town. For most folks, riding a horse is a means of transportation. Being a beast of greater stamina, the horse can take a man or woman farther and faster than as if they walked themselves. However, trick riders are becoming all the rage in Rhodes, recall the report in this paper weeks ago of a “voodoo” trick performed in the same town. This week a cowpoke rode through Rhodes backwards! The horse was moving forward while the rider was in reverse, looking out over the horse’s posterior. Residents of the town watched amazement as the rider managed to expertly guide the horse around town without ever looking in the direction they were going. “I figured that they just memorized the town layout, ’cause it ain’t so hard to do that in a small town,” said one of the witnesses, “but they managed to avoid other riders and wagons.” The riding was so smooth that witnesses began to believe the rider had “eyes in the back of their head.” However, the rider says there was no supernatural explanation, just expert skill crafted through hours of practice.
Outlaws follow massive wave of folks moving back into the Five States
By Adam Parvey
The topic of the Five States population has been much discussed lately, warranting an article in this very paper. The population has been a bit unstable, with an increase in returns to the region followed by a massive exit of cowpokes frustrated with life in the Five States being too slow. The population has spiked again and before anyone could start to worry about a mass exodus of cowpokes, a new trend has revealed itself. It seems that these returning cowpokes brought their problems with them in the form of outlaws. Along with the increase in population there have been increased reports of outlaws attacking towns and outposts, leaving residents in the defense of gunslingers and local law enforcement. From Strawberry to Blackwater, reports of outlaw attacks have become increasingly common. With the attacks come a rise in death tolls.
“We haven’t seen such an effort in, well, the entire time I’ve been a lawman,” said a Blackwater policeman. In Blackwater, townsfolk bunkered down as outlaws assaulted the town in waves. “I thought it would never stop,” said a local resident who took cover in the general store. Several gunfighters came to Blackwater to assist in the town’s defense, one tragically died when he made a fatal error. Witnesses say he notched an arrow with a stick of dynamite attached to, intending to take out an armored war wagon. The arrow did not fly true, however, and fell just before the shooter, exploding and killing him. Several other defenders were wounded, but eventually the outlaws retreated. Even abandoned military bases have been targeted. “Abandoned isn’t the right word, it is more like Fort Mercer is currently unused,” said a federal lawman, who added, “it is important we defend even places like Fort Mercer that may not have strategic value anymore, save the value of keeping outlaws from establishing a foothold in New Austin.”
Even the small town of Strawberry has been attacked, and momentarily overrun when the last defender of the town was killed by a machete wielding attacker. The town was only freed by the efforts of local law enforcement, a few federal agents in the area, and two bounty hunters. Skilled gunslingers are encouraged to aid in the defense of any town that is attacked. Authorities have promised generous compensation for assistance that leads to saving the town.
Man who brought laughter to dentistry dies
By Frederick Vannesse
Gardner Quincy Colton passed away this week while in Geneva, Switzerland. Colton was an American showman who traveled the country giving lectures on a technique that would make dentistry patients a bit more relaxed while being operated on. Colton discovered that using nitrous oxide in the appropriate amounts would put a patient in a state of relaxation, a temporary sleep. This would enable a dentist to perform difficult work without relying on the patient’s own fortitude to remain still. The discovery was so profound that Colton was able to quit medical school altogether, seeing no reason to continue pursuing a degree at all after being paid $535 for a single presentation, where he showed how nitrious oxide dulled the effect of pain. One of the curious side effects of using nitrous oxide is that it causes patients to laugh uncontrollably. This side effect, Colton says, is only present when the gas is not used to the correct dosage. As laughing is not desirable while performing surgery, Colton’s presentations included precise measurements, accounting for the body weight and fortitude of the patient. The procedure was successful enough that Colton started the Colton Dental Association to continue promoting the use of nitrous oxide. The most common procedure aided by the nitrous oxide was tooth extractions, having been used “tens of thousands of times.” The cause of Colton’s death is unrevealed at this time
Shark Kills Man in Australia!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax – Lead Correspondent
The shark, one of nature’s most powerful creatures. At most, both majestic and dangerous, truly a marvel of the seas. It is also a danger to human beings, as the nation of Australia learned sadly.
A local surfer named John Hogan was out swimming near the beach when he felt a strange sensation near his legs. He put his hand down and couldn’t feel his leg at all. The water quickly began to turn red, and witnesses on the beach saw a large, finned creature with a hammer-like head swimming away.
Several people grabbed Hogan and dragged him back to the beach, but he sadly died before doctors could arrive. This is the first reported attack on a human by a shark. This was believed impossible long ago; man is the king of the seas, and the shark merely respects our rule. A millionaire from New York once even offered a thousand dollars to someone who could prove a shark attacked a human. Well, I suppose that bet is now over.
In response, fishermen have been hunting down sharks of all kinds, hoping to find one with a leg bone still in the gut. Whether this is the right call or just an excuse to overfish a common predator is one best discussed with sea life experts and government officials.
The Five States Herald 