Three dead bodies found: two human, one cougar
By Jose Chavez
A disturbing scene was discovered by a traveler this week when they noticed several birds circling what looked to be a camp. “I rode toward the camp to see what had happened,” the passerby said. As soon as he saw the dead bodies, he fled to the nearest town. A few lawmen and residents formed a posse and arrived at the scene. Two dead men were found, one who’s death could not be determined. The other was clearly mauled by a cougar. The gouges in this man’s body were deep, indicating the cougar that attacked him was very powerful. A dead cougar was nearby, killed by several gunshots. The victim of the mauling had a pistol nearby that was missing several rounds. Investigators believe the mauled victim arrived to investigate the other man’s fate when he was attacked by at least two cougars.

“He clearly fought off one cougar only to be attacked by another,” an investigator said, “that he pulled out his pistol instead of a rifle indicates he was caught by surprise.” Though they could not confirm it, investigators believe it was the famed Gaza Cougar to have killed the mauled victim. “Cougars rarely form a pack, but when they do you should be scared,” an investigator warned, “because cougars only form a pack around the deadliest of cougars.” That the territory is a known region to be inhabited by the Gaza Cougar, the deep gashes made in the mauling victim, and the indications of multiple cougars in the area, authorities are quite confident that the legendary cougar was the killed. Though both men were ravaged by teh cougars and other scavenger animals, investigators could tell that the first man was dead before the mauling because they did not bleed from the wounds, indicating they were made after he died. Beyond that, however, the man’s death is a mystery.

Revenue agent dies in dynamite blast
By Wylie Frey
The Bureau of Internal Revenue is mourning another agent this week, though critics of the agency have blamed the agent for his own death. A wagon carrying moonshine was spotted at a checkpoint, which kicked off a gunfight between bootleggers and revenuers. The Bureau admits that the bootleggers got the better of the agents at the checkpoint and fled. Other agents pursued the wagon, continuously engaging the bootleggers. “Despite their disreputablness, they were good shots and held us off,” one agent admitted. That changed, however, when Agent Clint Trott urged his horse to a sprint. “I couldn’t believe, he just stayed low on his horse and lit a stick of dynamite!” an agent reported. The bootleggers apparently did not notice until it was too late, as Agent Trott threw the dynamite under the wagon. The explosion blew up the wagon, igniting the bottles of moonshine and killing the driver and passenger of the wagon. Agent Trott, who was too close to the explosion, also died. A bootlegger riding a horse near the wagon was thrown from his mount and arrested. The bootlegger eventually gave up the location of the moonshine operation, allegedly under threat of not receiving medical care. The Bureau denies this accusation.

Federal activity spikes in Ambarino after report of Nathaniel Cross in the state
By Caylen V. Hornby
Several tips came in recently that Nathaniel Cross had been spotted in Ambarino, resulting in the arrival of two dozen federal lawmen in the stat. The witness sightings place Cross all over the sparsely populated state, making it difficult for federal authorities to narrow down where he might be. The first report came in late last week, reporting Cross at O’Creagh’s Run, where he was spotted fishing. The witness recognized him and made his report upon arriving in Van Horn, where federal lawmen were called. Upon arriving in Van Horn later that day, a new report came in that Cross was seen boarding a moving train headed west. In an attempt to trap Cross, other agents were notified of Cross’ movements and stationed at Wallace and Riggs stations. Cross was not found at either station nor was he found during a search of the train.

The next sighting of Cross came three days later, placing him at Moonstone Pond. A thorough search of the region a few hours later failed to locate Cross. Authorities did find a black mask like the kind that the Grey Cowboy is reported to wear. The mask was on a log, held in place by a knife. Authorities are not sure how Cross evaded them, though they have two leading theories. The first is that Cross boarded the train and at some point disembarked without anyone seeing. A second theory is more trouble. “Cross is a bit beloved as the Grey Cowboy, so we cannot reject the possibility that people are helping him,” a federal lawman said. Whether those people are working with Cross or acting of their own accord is unknown. Authorities have issued a warning that Cross is not to be assisted as he is a dangerous man who does not hesitate to take the law into his own hands.

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Naturalists files complaint against cowpoke for kicking a wolf
By Odell Clifton
A naturalist arrived in Strawberry in a fit of rage, according to locals. They marched right up to the Strawberry Sheriff Office and demanded that they arrest an man they saw kick a wolf. “Animals belong in this world just as much as us and they should have their territory respected the same as we respect private property!” the naturalist is reported to have yelled out. Sheriff Hanley took the naturalist’s report. According to the witness, a man riding a horse was being chased by a wolf, when the man dismounted and kicked the wolf in the face. The naturalist said the man showed no mercy, kicking the wolf a second time, leaving it dazed as he mounted his horse and rode away. An deputy who wished to remain anonymous reported that Sheriff Hanley, though being very respectful, informed the woman that it sounded like no law had been broken. “No law has been broken!” the naturalist allegedly screamed, “what about the law of nature?” “Hanley ain’t no fool,” the deputy said, “so he changed his tune real quick and just kind of humored her,” This change in “tune” calmed the naturalist down. Eventually Sheriff Hanley said, “even if a crime against nature has been committed, you have not given me enough to identify the man, how am I to arrest him?” The naturalist seemed defeated, according to deputies who witnessed the interaction, and expressed regret at not getting a closer look of the man. “What kind of world do we live in when a wolf can’t be a wolf?” the naturalist asked, “wouldn’t it be better if we all just let wolves be wolves, even if that means we are dinner?”

Hunter fends off posse of outlaws
By Nick McCrary
A man hunting in the Great Plains was ambushed by a group of outlaws. The motive for the attack is unknown, but it may have from a desire to steal the hunter’s carcasses. However, the outlaws chose the wrong hunter to mess with. “First shot was just over my shoulder,” said the hunter, “I managed to ride over a hill which point me out of their sight while I collected my thoughts.” They then described changing their frame of mind from hunting animals to fighting people. The first outlaw over the hill caught a bullet to the head, ending his life. A second held back a few moments, according to the hunter, then over to the same fate as the first. The gunfight appeared to draw the attention of the outlaws’ friends, who then descended upon the lone hunter. The increased number were not enough. The hunter explained that their knowledge of the terrain gave them the advantage. “Folks think of the Great Plains as just a flat area with a long and wide line of sight,” the hunter said, “but there are hills, rock formations, bushes, and even a few trees, all of which offer cover to a degree.” The outlaws came at the hunter with reckless until they decided their losses were enough and retreated. When asked how I felt about driving off the attackers he said, “I just wanted to hunt, but revenge is sweet.”

One man kills another in self defense
By Emery Cosberry
An aggressive cowpoke was killed when his attack was countered by a wily stranger. The attacker charged his intended victim and tackled them to the floor of a second story balcony. However, the attacked man had no intention of being a victim. He rolled with his attacker’s movement and then, using his own momentum, thrust him into the railing. Unfortuantely for the attacker, the wooden rail gave way, breaking under the pressure. The man fell off the balcony and onto the ground, where he laid unconscious. He was taken to the town doctor, where it was determined he was bleeding from the inside. The doctor announced there was nothing he could do to save them man, so focused on providing him some comfort before he died. The man who defended himself was immediately cleared of any wrong doing. “Self defense is a man’s right,” said Sheriff Malloy said. As a sign of good faith, the intended victim paid for the dying man’s treatment.

Dock brawl broken up by police
By Emeline Vickroy
A few travelers stopping in Saint Denis nearly started a full fledged riot. Witnesses say the men arrived at the Saint Denis docks looking to provoke a fight. They got in the path of dock workers and when that did not provoke a fight, they began pushing the workers. Eventually, one of the workers fought back, with encouraged others to join the fight. Soon the strangers were fighting dock workers up and down the Saint Denis dock. Residents fled from the area and yelled out for the police. A large dock worker joined the fight after being cheered on by his fellows. Witnesses say the large man fought one of the strangers, however the stranger opted to merely counter the dock worker’s moves without striking themselves. The large man became tired and the stranger took advantage, knocking out the dock worker as he tried to catch his breath. The police response was swift and aggressive, with a dozen officers descending on the docks.

The fight ended when the strangers managed to slip away from the docks and out of the city. At least one witness reported that the strangers boarded a train leaving Saint Denis. Several dock workers were arrested, though it is unknown if they will be charged. Thousands of dollars in property was damaged, much beyond repair. In the commotion, nobody managed to get a good look at the strangers who started the fight and so no wanted posters could be posted.

The Ongoing American Inferno Fight?
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Doubtless most Americans are well acquainted with Evelyn Miller.  Most fall into two separate but equally as aggressive camps.  Those that see Miller as a visionary genius who understands this nation far better than any politician.  The other see him as a pompous nitwit who thinks he knows better just because he self-isolated in a cabin for a few months.  One thing is for sure, The American Inferno is a book unlike any other, unless you ask one man. 

Harold Jefferson is a writer in Blackwater, and for some reason this week, he has come out of the shadows to claim Miller plagiarized his ideas for the American Inferno.  He says entire chapters have been ripped from his book, The Wild Blue Yonder.  He even claims Miller didn’t spend months in a cabin or protest the US military during the Mexican American War.

Miller has responded in his useful boastful self, claiming Jefferson is the type of rat monster that infects the American spirit.  He challenges him to prove in court that he’s a fraud.  Jefferson has already filed for such a battle.  Truly the great American Inferno, a nobody fighting a caricature of a writer.  The audience for this bout is undoubtedly riveted.  

Search for survivors of shipwreck officially ended
By Ivy Seager
A storm at Broken Bay was responsible for the sinking of the Maitland in May. The ship had 32 crewman and 30 passengers at the time that it sank. At least 21 people died and nearly 10 are unaccounted for and it appears their fate will never be truly known. Rescue crews worked around the clock initially in hopes of finding survivors. As time months have passed and no new survivors turned up, officials are calling off the search. “It is a regretful decision but we must face the facts,” said a spokesman for the searchers, “if they have not been found they are very likely dead.” Some have held out hope that their missing loved ones are alive and would be found. At least one searcher suggested the possibility that survivors may have washed up ashore somewhere else and may very well be alive. However, it is unlikely that any survivors are still at sea.

The Maitland‘s wreckage has also caused several problems in Broken Bay over the last few months. It has made navigation in the area difficult and has been responsible for at least one other shipwreck. Among the survivors of the Maitland‘s wreck was a baby called Daisy Hammond. That a fragile baby survived is nothing short of a miracle, according to other survivors and the baby Hammond’s family. They predicted that Daisy would live to a ripe old age.

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