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.
Masked outlaws reported all over the Five States; residents fear for their life
By Adam Parvey
Long time readers of the Herald know that from time to time, masked villains have harassed and harmed innocent folks across the Five States. Long time readers also know that for a time, a masked vigilante called The Grey Cowboy made it his mission to take out these masked criminals. However, Nathaniel Cross, the man alleged to be the Grey Cowboy is on the run and the calendar just flipped to October. That means an increase in masked outlaws. “I ain’t so sure why folks, your paper included, think masked outlaws are on the rise,” said Blackwater Police Chief Oswald Dunbar, “outlaws are often masked to hide their identity.” However, these outlaws Chief Dunbar references often use more simple means of covering up their face, such as a bandana. The masked outlaws caushing increased ruckus wear much more elaborate masks.
“Some were dressed as devils, or clowns, or devil clowns!” said on resident, who had been accosted by a group of masked men. Sheriff Sam Freeman of Tumbleweed also sees a difference. “Most outlaws wear masks to conceal their identities, sometimes poorly,” Sheriff Freeman said, “but these so called “masked outlaws” use the masks to intimidate others, though they ain’t as intimidating as a bullet to the forehead.” Some residents have claimed that the masked outlaws are only part of the problem, that the real problem is that masked outlaws provide camaflaughe for actual monsters. “Monsters stay hidden because if they don’t, they would be hunted, they must stay mysterious you see,” said a resident of Van Horn, “and with so many folks with masks on, monsters can pretend to just be wearing a mask!” Combine that with the fact that the Five States was recently recognized as the place with “the least amount of things to do with those who have been there the longest,” and you have a recipe for disaster.
“There is certainly a palpable amount of unrest in the city,” said Saint Denis Police Chief Benjamin Lambert, “but so far we haven’t seen a noticeable increase in crime, but we can’t shake the feeling like we are in the calm before the storm.” This feeling has pervaded the First States for several months now, as more outlaws have made the region their home. There is a valid concern that this year we may see a rise in crime that will make last year’s wave of masked criminals look like a scrawny nag. The BHTNC has remained silent about what they will do to combat masked criminals harassing innocent people. Sheriff Freeman advises violence, “if a fool in a mask walks up to you, assume he’s up to no good and shoot ’em dead before they shoot you.”
Wanted man captured despite confusion and determination of his underlings
By Jose Chavez
A bounty hunter caught in a wanted man amidst a cloud of confusion, when the wanted man’s underling nearly killed them all. The bounty hunter came across the wanted man riding atop a stolen oil wagon. Recognizing the danger of fighting near an oil wagon, the bounty hunter attempted to pull his target away with a well placed lasso. One of the target’s escorts, however, had different plans. “The son of a… fired on me and hit the wagon, blowing the thing up,” the bounty hunter said. The target was thrown from the wagon, along with the driver who had been the one to shoot the wagon. The bounty hunter and his horse were sent to the ground, both on fire. Undeterred, the bounty hunter rolled on the ground to put out the fire and then tackled the wanted man as he stood up from the wreckage. “I was shocked he was alive, but he wasn’t getting away,” the bounty hunter said. However, the wagon driver also survived and grabbed a hold of the bounty hunter’s legs.
“Damn ankle biter nearly had me,” the bounty hunter admitted. However, he dug deep and said, “this is fine,” before stomping on the driver’s head and forcing him to let go of his legs. He then unholstered his weapon and killed the henchmen while taking cover in the wreckage. Miraculously, his own horse survived but was badly injured. After providing some field treatment to his horse, he put the wanted man on one of the henchmen’s horses and rode into Tumbleweed. There, he got paid for his hard work and got his horse the treatment it needed. “Horse is good as new,” said the Tumbleweed stable owner who provided the care. The wanted man had additional charges laid against him, including attempted murder of a horse, despite his protests that it was not him who blew up the wagon.
Red Lips, Blue Skin, Death in Ambarino
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Melanie Byrd was a famous woman in Strawberry. Known for her heavy use of lipstick and a charming demeanor; she was a common sight in the little town. Bryd claimed to be from Blackwater, but where she hailed from was not fully confirmed. She was close with the town’s mayor; some claimed she was his mistress. She vanished two weeks back and was only recently found in the snowy mountains of Ambarino.
Her corpse was found in a snowbank near a glacier. Her skin was blue; she had been here a pretty long time. She wasn’t wearing any clothing; it seems she had been forced to walk through the snow until she collapsed.
Her lips were still bright rose red, but it wasn’t the only spot-on color on her. She had a noticeably large smear of lipstick on her cheek, similar to a kiss.
The last sighting of Byrd was in the outskirts of Strawberry. She was seen walking with a woman with red hair and a fancy hat; the local sheriff suspects Myra Rose Hart. A deputy presumes she walked Byrd into the snow, forced her to strip at gunpoint, and watched as she froze to death. Whether the kiss was mockery or a strange affection is unclear.
Local citizens plan to remember her in the weeks to come. Not as another victim of a monster, but as a kind woman known to drink and sing with the best of them. Long may she rest.
APACHE INDIAN GUNS DOWN ATTACKER IN BLACKWATER SALOON!
By Clyde Stephenson (Freelancer)
An altercation at the Blackwater saloon resulted in bloodshed on Wednesday evening. A lone Apache Indian allegedly going by the name Soaring Eagle was enjoying a drink when a gunslinger burst through the doors and confronted him.
Without saying a word, the gunslinger opened fire, wounding the Indian as he sat by a table. Unfortunately for this assailant, the Apache was quick to draw and promptly unleashed a flurry of bullets upon his would-be killer.
The saloon fell dead silent as the Indian finished off the gravely injured gunman. Witnesses claim that Soaring Eagle declined any further comment as he limped out of the bar, and has not been seen around Blackwater since the night of the incident.
Speculation runs rampant about the altercation but the motive ultimately remains unclear. Blackwater residents are advised to avoid the likes of Indians and outlaws alike. Any leads are to be brought to Chief Dunbar of the Blackwater Police Department.
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Can also do all three!
Fisherwoman survives attack
By Donna Deshner
Leonora Ladlemeyer was fishing when a stranger rode by. “I think that he thought I was unaware,” Ms. Ladlemeyer said, “but I took note of his presence and prepared my actions in case it went bad.” The rider stopped his horse and dismounted. He tipped his hat and Ms. Ladlemeyer before turning around, appearing to be non-threatening. “Guess he thought my guard was down because he pulled out his revolver,” Ms. Ladlemeyer said. The man fired as Ms. Ladlemeyer was dropping her fishing pole. Ms. Ladlemeyer’s hat was shot off in the initial attack but she managed to move behind a rock before her attacker could get another shot off. When she emerged from cover she had her shotgun at the ready and shot the attacker in the chest. The man fell to the ground, dropping his gun. Ms. Ladlemeyer said the man was not dead at that moment, as she heard him moaning in pain. She resumed fishing and by the time she had caught a dozen fish, the man was no longer moaning. As for why she remained in that spot as a man died just feet away, Ms. Ladlemeyer said, “I saw no reason to give him aid or leave my perfectly good fishing spot on his account.”
Eugene Wegner complains about animals being slaughtered, but cannot produce evidence of the claim
By Emery Cosberry
This paper has covered the difficult Mr. Eugene Wegner has had keeping cowpokes off his farm. He has complained about his animals being drugged and even killed and skinned on multiple occasions. The Valentine Sheriff had finally had enough this week. Mr. Wegner arrived at Sheriff Curtis Malloy’s office with a story of horror. He claimed his animals had been butchered and mutilated, cut and stabbed multiple times. Though Mr. Wegner had not seen it happened, he saw the results. “This is nearly a season’s worth of profits,” Mr. Wegner claimed. Sheriff Malloy and a few deputies rode back to Emerald Ranch with Mr. Wegner and were shocked by the scene. Instead of cut up and mutilated animals, the posse saw a lively heard walking around in the pen unharmed. “I… I don’t understand,” Mr. Wegner said, seeming to be shocked. “Based on his reaction, I don’t think he is lying,” said Sheriff Malloy, “but what he believes to be true simply isn’t.” Mr. Wegner was warned to “secure his marbles” before filing anymore legal complaints for crimes that did not happen.
Naturalist Lives and Dies via Water Snakes
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Many Naturalists have tried to study all the animals in the Five States; most fail when it comes to a specific type of animal. The dreaded water snakes of Lemoyne are a thorn in the side of many would-be animal collectors, as one would attest if he were still alive.
Harold McBride was a veteran naturalist who was nearing the end of his collection. He just needed to catch a few water snake’s corpses. McBride spent days on the banks of the Lannahechee River, looking for the scaly water creatures. He spotted one after a week; he aimed with a Varmint Rifle and fired. The snake died, so McBride quickly ran out to grab the corpse. Unfortunately, he didn’t see the other water snake swimming nearby.
The snake bit him on the arm, drawing blood. Soon an alligator came upon the scene, and McBride was quickly devoured.
Friends close to him were saddened but not surprised this fate befell him. Another respected Naturalist named Eliza had this to say. “I respected his efforts, but he should have given up on those water snakes. It’s never worth the effort and bragging rights do you little when you’re just another dead body in the belly of a beast.”
Man found dead in Saint Denis pawn shop
By Emeline Vickroy
An unidentified man was found dead in the Saint Denis pawn shop. Though the police are not identifying the victim, they have confirmed that they are a known criminal with links to a wide criminal network. No witnesses reported seeing the killer or the event happen. “I came into my shop, and, the body was there,” said the pawnbroker, who nervously asked for his name to be kept out of the paper. Saint Denis Police found no evidence at the scene to identify the killer. “The victim was stabbed in the neck, likely from behind,” the investigating officer said, “a few drops of blood could be on the floor exiting the building and just outside the pawn shop, but ended there.” According to the police, the pawnbroker did not see the killer. “He claimed to be looking over the books, though aware he had customers,” the investigator clarified, “but did not know something was amiss until the victim collapsed to the ground.” By the time he looked up, the pawnbroker claimed the killed was already gone. With no other evidence, the case is considered open, but not under active investigation.
Trader robbed by hired help
By Lucien Privett
Fearing having their goods robbed from them again, a trader enlisted the help of another cowpoke. Unfortunately, the helper was anything but help. “Shotgun messengers vary in reliability,” said a trader I spoke to unrelated to the theft, “I like to use the same ones over again because I know they can be trusted.” Not all traders have a reliable network of shotgun messengers, however, and are often stuck with whoever takes up the offer. Such was the case this week when an unnamed trader reported a theft of their goods, by the very man they hired to help with the delivery. The trader could not be interviewed, so the story is pieced together by witness accounts and the official record at the Annesburg Sheriff’s Office. The hired help immediately blew up the wagon with a stick of dynamite and rode off with the goods. The trader then gave chase, following the thief into a cave.
According to a witness outside the sheriff’s office, the trader said he could not attack the man due to the contract. “Criminal or no, I signed a contract and my honor means something to me,” they allegedly said. This contract prevented the parties from attacking each other, but apparently said nothing about stealing the goods. By the time the crime was reported, the thief was long gone. The goods were left in the thief’s last known location but they were set on fire and damaged beyond use. For the trader it was a major setback, but according to wintesses, they seemed determined to start again. Several witnesses spotted the trader headed north, with some claiming they said they were going moose hunting.
Arsonist suspected in burning of St. Nicholas Hotel
By Frederick Vannesse
Patrons of the St. Nicholas Hotel in Coldwater, Kansas were awoken in the early hours of the morning to alarm bells. The initial panic was quickly quelled as fire fighters responded to the scene in a timely fashion and were able to put the flames out before serious damage could be done. Though the roof in at least two sections was damaged enough to require replacement. Investigators found excess amounts of coal oil in three locations, where they believe the first was started. As a result, they believe this was arson and not an accident. Whatever the arsonists hoped to achieve with their act of violence was thwarted. The identities of the fire starters are unknown.
School of export opens in Vienna
By Ivy Seager
The k.u.k. Exportakademie, translated in English as Export Academy, opened on October 1st. The academy is intended to train young businessmen in hopes that the training will stimulate the Austro-Hungarian economy. The academy is the first of its kind in the nation. The opening of the academy came with a significant amount of fanfare, as the Austro-Hungarian government hopes to generate interest among its populace and even across the world. Though presently described as a “humble business school,” the Austro-Hungarian government believes it will become a “global center of economic excellence.”
The Five States Herald 