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.
“Skeleton hunter” gains popularity in the Five States
A cowpoke has been traveling the Five States photographing skeletons and sharing the photographs by posting them at train stations. Travelers have been in awe of the photographs. “I don’t travel much, just between towns on occasion,” said one traveler, “so to see the world beyond for how gruesome it can be, well it’s a sight to behold.” The photographer’s identity is presently unknown. Nobody has seen the photographs be posted, even the train station clerks. “I can’t tell you who posts them, only that they are suddenly there!” said one clerk. A few people who have seen the photographs have sought out finding the skeletons themselves, a scavenger hunt of sorts. On some occasions, the skeletons cannot be found at all. Where the skeletons have been found, so to have generous helpings of salt.
“The salt was spread all over the skeleton and around it,” said one cowpoke, “in addition, the bones were burnt.” Without knowing the identity of the photographer it is impossible to say for certain the motive being the salt and the burning. Though one cowpoke suggested it was a way to purify the skeleton, to ensure it would never rise again. “I’ve done my fair share of demon-hunting and ghost-busting,” they explained, “and that’s one sure way to keep restless spirits at bay!” The explanation matches the timing. Spirits and dark creatures are said to roam freely in October and already there have been sightings of unknown creatures. Perhaps the skeleton hunter is keeping some of those forces from overwhelming us.
Blood sucking predator in New Austin?
By Wylie Frey
Several farmers in New Austin have reported strange attacks on their livestock. “It’s nothing new to find livestock dead from a wolf or cougar,” said one farmer, “it is unusual to find them dead with few wounds but no blood left.” Most of the animals are said to appear as if they are asleep with no obvious wounds. It is not until a closer look is taken that the truth is made clear. “The only wound I found was around the neck of a goat,” said another farmer, “it bite like mark and through it, all the animal’s blood sucked right out.” There is no known predator of sufficient size to make these wounds and empty a goat sized animal of its blood. “I hear there are bats that drink blood in such away,” said a farmer, “but they are small and couldn’t outright kill livestock on their own!” Search parties have attempted to find the creature but have so far been unsuccessful. While tracks were found, they were indistinct and among other tracks. The creature is believed to be wolflike, though longer and weighing less, resulting in its shallow tracks lacking distinction. Several farmers have started keeping a stablehand up all night as a guard against the creature.
Large canine type creature spotted east of O’Creagh’s Run
By Delphia Atwood
A hunter returned to his home in Annesburg empty handed, but with a story that turned the heads of many. He said while hunting north of O’Creagh’s Run he heard a strange howl. “Believing it was the Emerald wolf, I followed the sound east of the lake,” the hunter said, “but what I found were tracks much larger than I expected.” Additionally, the hunter described the tracks “very wide apart” and “very deep in the dirt,” suggesting an animal much larger than a wolf. While tracking the creature, the hunter was nearly caught off guard when the beat showed itself. “It looked like a wolf, but it stood on its two legs and roared at me!” the hunter said. He continued his story, claiming to have fired on the creature, hitting it in the shoulder. The hunter said the creature fled further east. “I jumped on my horse and gave chase, but it was too fast!” the hunter said. The creature fled through the Kamassa River, outpacing the hunter. Once darkness came, the hunter gave up on finding the creature. “I did not want to encounter that monster in the dark, let me tell you,” the hunter said. During his stories told to anyone who would listen, the hunter described the creates as a wolfman, standing over 10 feet tall with a roar that could shake your soul.
Murder shocks Blackwater residents
By Nick McCrary
A local was found dead two days ago, having been stabbed to death. The victim’s name is being withheld during the investigation and to give authorities time to contact authorities. The victim had not been seen in a few days and a local shopkeeper became concerned when they did not come int to the store for their weekly purchases. While authorities initially saw checking up on the victim to be a waste of time, the shopkeeper managed to convince a policeman to look into it. When they did not answer the door he looked in and saw them on the floor, lifeless and covered in blood. The discovery became a scandal when it was revealed a drunk reported a masked man around the home days ago. Police ignored the man, believing him to be a rambling drunk and likely hallucinating. Townsfolk are expressing frustration, wondering if their neighbor would still be alive had the police investigated the masked man claim immediately. Blackwater Police Chief Oswald Dunbar has promised in an investigation into the killing and the reports of lawmen ignoring reports from residents.
Raving Madman Claims History Knowledge!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Valentine is a quiet place, outside of the occasional gunfight and massacre but besides that, not the place that gets many ramblers. Not many door-to-door preachers, not many scientific quacks, and not raving lunatics, until this week, unfortunately.
In the early morning hours of Thursday, a man began to wander the streets of the small community, ranting about how people don’t understand history. He, on several occasions, claimed that Sumerians had built the pyramids, that the Apache were founding fathers of the United States, and that Guy Fawkes had created British imperialism. Most people just shrugged, not bothering to argue that the United States had not built the Eiffel Tower for France and that it was not a pyramid.
Sheriff Malloy was eventually forced to arrest the man after being told to please stop ranting. He continued to claim absurdities, such as Columbus created South America with slaves as he was dragged away. Even as late as today, he is still in jail, occasionally shouting that Columbus also discovered the Aztec empire. Many local citizens expressed regret having ever moved to Valentine and that this lunatic is somehow worse than any gun battle. However, a few people were noted to have almost died laughing at the nonsense.
Notable Alienist Falls Off Stage!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
The exploration of the mind is, to some, the great final frontier of human knowledge. To many, it’s on the cutting edge of understanding, but perhaps it’s even closer than some realized.
This week, English Alienist Samuel Fraser, related to a general from the Revolution, was speaking in St-Denis about the complications of trying to understand human emotions. He was halfway through the lecture, telling a story about trying to negotiate diplomacy between the great powers of Europe, when he suddenly fell off the stage. He didn’t yell; he merely fell face forward and said, “oh good lord.”
Many in the crowd assumed he had been shot, but as attendees reached the fallen professor, he slowly got up. He had somehow misjudged the edge of the stage and fallen over. He later apologized for his stupidity and at least finished his anecdotal story before being carried off. Doctors later discovered he had fractured his leg and won’t be able to walk for months.
Those who attended, while disappointed that the lecture was cut short, thought it was a great insight into the human condition and the questions of the future. Many also thought it was funny to see an academic fall off a stage like a poorly done circus act.
Bugs continue plague residents
By Adam Parvey
Another week and residents remain in the dark about the plague they now face. “I’ve lived in the Five States for years and seen a lot,” said a resident, “even seen some infestations like what we see now.” The resident said it was different last time, however. “They hadn’t given up on us, the powers that be,” they said. In the past, bug infestations like residents see today were met with ambitious planning and action. Authorities sent exterminators all over the Five States, spraying poisons in every nook and cranny, destroying nests of insects with fire and providing all manner of oils meant to deter further infestation. Those preventative measures seem to have worn off as residents have faced waves of insects like they have never seen before.
Without support from authorities, residents are left with few options. “The infestations are far too wide for just us to deal with individually,” said one resident, “it needs a region-wide effort that cannot be mustered by without region-wide support.” Just as authorities seem uninterested in resolving the problem, local wealthy families have likewise been unmoved. “The rich folk just shelter in their fancy homes, not seeing any money in helping the rest of us,” said a resident. There is hope, however, that as the year comes to a close the bugs will retreat of their own accord.
Gas powered “vacuum cleaner” invented
By Frederick Vannesse
For thousands of years mankind has sought easier ways of cleaning carpets and rugs. Beating a rug was exhausting work and 1869 Ives McGaffey invented a “sweeping machine” called the Whirlwind. Made of word and canvas, the device was not motorized and was operated with a hand pump. It spun the canvas while the pumping motion helped attract the dust into the device. John Thurman has taken the next step in automatic vacuum operation. He has invented a device that runs on a gas powered engine, creating a suction type effect that “swallows” dust. Mr. Thurman travels with the gas powered device on a wagon pulled by two horses. Using a long hose connected to the device, Mr. Thurman offers a door to door cleaning service. Though he is currently the only one on the market, some believe this is an emerging market about to explode. Soon, every home may have access to professional cleaning services.
British troops expected to arrive in South Africa soon
By Ivy Seager
The troops the British government has sent to South Africa are expected to arrive in coming days, if they have not arrived yet. The troops were sent to South Africa weeks ago. They are expected to arrive in Durban, where they will prepare to protect British interests in South Africa. The troops arriving in Durban were transferred from India and will join 10,000 troops that arrived earlier in the week. The official story remains that the troops being sent to South Africa are there to engage in peacekeeping efforts. The native Boers have not been accepting of British occupation and tensions have been increasing between the two groups. The increase in British troops will likely reduce the Boers’ ability to threaten British interests, forcing a continuation of the uneasy peace, but will do little to ease their concerns.
The Five States Herald 