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“Dark creatures” attack across the Five States on Halloween Day and Night
The first reports of these “dark attacks” came from Armadillo, where the local sheriff’s department had success in rounding up a posse to defend the town. “The masked attackers were ferocious and unrelenting,” said a local sheriff’s deputy. With each wave of enemies witnesses described a feeling of doom that become increasingly palpable in the air. “I thought our poor cursed town was going to be wiped from the map that very night,” said the deputy, “if it weren’t for those cowpokes defending the town, well I don’t want to think about that.” The settlement of Butcher Creek in New Hanover also reported attacks on Halloween day.
The settlement has no law enforcement and is not an officially recognized town. The folks that live there, however, are willing to defend their home. A nearby posse of cowpokes pitched in to help defend the settlement. Attackers were described as, “extremely aggressive, masked, and of a monstrous disposition.” The geography is unique, in that nature was not displaced to build the settlement. Instead, Butcher Creek was built into the forest it occupies. This geography typically gives the residents of Butcher Creek an advantage in defending their home, however, in this situation the attackers had plenty of hiding places for ambushes. “Machete wielding madmen would jump out from behind a tree or from a bush,” said one of the defenders, “many were killed because they were taken by surprise.”
Other reports of supernatural attackers came out of Lemoyne. A posse of folks camping out at Bolger Glade reported an ominous fog rolling in before being attacked by “wild men.” A similar attack was reported by squatters at Shady Bell, an abandoned managed in the bayou swamp. The descriptions were much the same as others, masked, pale men attacking with ferociousness, almost shrugging off being shot. Authorities speculated that these attacks were likely “crimes of opportunity.” “It seems towns make an ideal attack location for crazy folks, cause all kinds of terror,” said an investigating lawman, “but attacking areas like Bolger Glade and Shady Bell seem odd, likely saw that folks were there and decided to attack, ain’t much to gain attacking those areas.”
One other aspect of these attacks that was similar was sightings of strange staffs and symbols written on the ground. “The staff had this aura about it, a pulse, like it was calling me,” said one of the defenders. Those who grabbed hold of the staff reported being “transformed.” “I couldn’t explain it, I just felt powerful an primal,” said one of the defenders who grabbed such a staff, “I couldn’t even fathom using my gun, I just had the urge to strike the attackers down with my machete.” Other defenders who did not touch the staff did report noticing changes in those who did. “It seemed like they looked different, like it was the person I knew but at the same time it wasn’t,” said one defender, “and the height of their jump, I mean they could have easily cleared a house!”
Reports of attacks continued the day after Halloween, but at a slower rate. By early this week the attacks were no longer reported. Investigators examined the bodies of dead attackers and determined they were all humans. The paleness was body paint, not a sign of undeath among the attackers as some believed. Investigators determined that attackers were likely on drugs that dulled their senses, allowing them to shrug off attacks and reach deep into their inner strength. “The strength, ability to take a bullet, and ferociousness could all be explained by the use of psychotropic drugs,” said the investigator, “and for those that remain convinced this was a supernatural attack, well explain why the dead attackers are human?” As for the staff and alleged transformations, the investigators found no evidence of them.
Tensions between federal and New Austin local governments increases
By Alois Burditt
It has long been documented that the federal government has had trouble in the southern states. In Lemoyne, former confederates and their offspring fight for their old personal glory days, frustrating federal officials. However, in New Austin, legitimate government officials combat federal efforts at seemingly every turn. “This state, and Tumbleweed specifically, have protected a criminal,” said an agent from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, “and they refuse to offer professional assistance when necessary.” The tensions increased this week when a revenuer a checkpoint just north of Tumbleweed was attacked by a sniper. “We aren’t quite sure what happened, but we know our agents were ambushed,” said a Revenue Bureau investigator, “but based on the evidence it seemed they succumb to sniper fire southeast of their position.”
The investigator noted that residents of Tumbleweed likely would have heard the firing and witness likely would have seen the shooter passing through the town. “Local law enforcement not only offered no assistant to fellow officers of the law, but nobody in the town cooperated with our investigation.” Frustarating federal investigators even more was the fact that wanted man Nathaniel Cross watched them out in the open, protected by Tumbleweed lawmen. When asked about the federal investigators comments, Sheriff Freeman said, “fellow officers of the law? Those men ain’t my fellows.”
Cowpoke saves loan shark in Colter
By Caylen V. Hornby
A cowpoke was hired to find a missing loan shark, who was ambushed by the Skinners and captured. News of the capture reached Jake Adler, who hired the unnamed cowpoke. According to the rescuer, the man was being held in Colter and guarded by, “about nine men, or so.” The loan shark remarked that by the time he knew a rescue was underway the cowpoke was at the front door of the broken down cabin he was being held in. “They just kind of appeared at the door and started blasting away!” the loan shark said. As he followed his rescuer, he noticed at least one body lying in the snow with an arrow protruding from their head. The rescuer jumped onto a horse and the loan shark jumped on behind the cowpoke. “They rode fast through the thick snow and even got through an ambush with quick shotgun work,” the loan shark said. The rescuer did express a major concern. “I rode through Colter to get to the Adlers’,” the cowpoke said, “didn’t see no, Skinners on my way through so where did they come from?”
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Man finds long lost brother in Blackwater
By Odell Clifton
In a story sure to melt the heart of the most hardened cowpoke, a man reports coming across their long lost older brother. “He had to live away, with relatives,” they said, “that’s all I was ever told.” Having lived in the Five States for awhile now, they were shocked to run into a man that looked just like them in Blackwater. “Not sure how I knew it was him, but I just knew it and I was stricken with emotion,” the man said. After striking up a conversation he learned enough about the man to be certain it was his long lost brother. The two spent the day together catching up on lost times.
Traveling Romanian collector, Madam Nazar, berated over maps she sells
By Nick McCrary
A frustrated collector confronted Madam Nazar over a gold nugget reward policy that she says she has no part in. “Your maps are worthless, dammit,” the cowpoke said, “JR’s map is infinitely better and doesn’t cost me a thing!” At issue was the collector’s feeling of being forced to purchase the maps. “The BHTNC offered gold nuggets to purchase three maps and so dammit, I did,” the cowpoke elaborated, “but I wasn’t happy about it!” Madam Nazar claims to have no connection to the BHTNC, saying that she operates independently of the group. No physical confrontation was reported and Madam Nazar did not file an charges. “Did he think I was afraid?” Madam Nazar asked, “I was not.” The BHTNC offered no comment.
Two brothers arrive in the Five States to investigate supernatural claims
By Adam Parvey
The brothers, Sam and Dean Lancaster (of no relation to the famed gun maker), said they read newspaper reports of doppelgangers, ghosts, demons, and more. “My brother thought it was just simple folk not knowing how to describe natural phenomena,” said Dean, “but who could miss the Five States? Where else do I get to dress like a cowboy?” Despite what many called a “city attitude,” the brothers were received warmly by most. “They don’t know the country worth a damn,” said one witness, “but they was willing to learn and willing to get dirty, I’ll tell you what.” The brothers proved to be more than investigators, being skilled with a gun when attacked by a pack of wolves in Roanoke Ridge. “We didn’t find the wolfman,” admitted Sam, “but we found strange evidence of a man living among the wolves.” The Lancasters also investigated the ghostly voice known to haunt the Roanoke Ridge woods, however, they dropped the investigation when they heard news of a nest of vampires in Saint Denis.
“It wasn’t the largest next we ever dealth with,” said Dean, “but it was large enough to give most the shivers.” The vampires were killed and their bodies burned. “We do not believe we got the leader of the nest,” Sam said, “but we at least took out its army.” In New Austin they searched for a creature allegedly sucking out the blood of livestock. While the Lancasters reported evidence of attacks, it also appeared the creature was long gone. They did advise caution, saying it may return. One witness said the Lancasters even arrived at Bolger Glade while it was under attack, as reported in our opening story. They were said to be instrumental in thinning the herd of monsters. Before they could continue resume any investigations in the Five States, they received news that a “yellow-eyed demon” was seen elsewhere. They purchased train tickets out of the Five States but said they would return one day to continue investigating the Five States.
Attack of the doppelganger!
By Donna Deshner
Another report of a doppelganger came early this week, though this one was the most alarming of all. A man claimed to have become “multiple men” at once., each a version of himself. “I felt weird, overwhelmed with thoughts and emotions,” the man said, “all mine, but also someone elses.” He then noticed that he multiple arms. “It seemed like my shadow, only tangible and clinging to me and there we so many of them,” they said. Even more alarming, the man claimed that his shadow twins started separating, coming out of him one at a time. “I felt it leave me and as it did, I felt my thoughts and emotions become less overwhelming,” the man said, “but then I saw myself in front of me and it tried to fight me!” After a brief fight with himself, the doppelganger just walked away as if everything was normal.
Dr. W. Bishop investigated the occurrence and said, “it is easy to think of a single alternative universe, but if there is one, there are likely an infinite number of universes with infinite versions of us, though I suspect all versions of me like pudding.” Dr. Bishop explained that whatever separates the different universes became particular unstable around this man. “What we saw was multiple versions of the same person merging into our universe,” Dr. Bishop said, “the man became a conduit somehow, and frankly, it’s a miracle he survived. Quite curious.” The man lost count of how many of his doubles managed to leave his body and Dr. Bishop expressed great concern in collecting these doppelgangers. “I am worried that their continued existence in our world will cause increased instability and that we may see more of these kinds of problems in the future, not less,” Dr. Bishop explained, “and should that continue, our reality may very well collapse on itself and we will all cease to exist, exciting times!”
Telegraph Lines Cut at Terrible Moment for Saint-Denis Man!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
The telegram is a beautiful piece of technology, but like all types of technology, it’s imperfect. The wiring that gets a message from location to location isn’t always exceptionally sturdy, leading to accidents. Such an accident happened last week, and it happened in quite an unfortunate situation.
Thomas Clay is a local citizen in Saint-Denis whose father sadly passed away. He got down to the telegraph office and tried to send a message to his brother about the news. The message was only partially sent because a key telegraph wire was suddenly cut. At the moment, it’s unclear if it fell over due to a strong wind or was knocked down by an individual.
What we do know is that the message sent by wire was a bit scrambled. The brother in question was quite confused to get a message saying his brother had married his father. He quickly took a trip to Lemoyne’s most famous city, demanding an explanation, only to realize the message was about managing the family’s affairs now that the father was dead. Only a few characters took a somber message into a farce. If this is the future of communications, then I am worried as can be.
Lion spotted in Lemoyne
By Emeline Vickroy
A cowpoke reported investigating a calling sound they heard while traveling through Lemoyne, what he described as, “a roar of warning.” “I hadn’t heard anything like that before, and I’ve hunted all over the Five States,” the cowpoke said. They rode over a hill and got a clear view of what he heard. “It was a lion, if you can believe it,” they said, “I had only seen them in pictures but I knew they weren’t to be messed with.” The cowpoke aimed their rifle and put the beast down before it could attack. They took a photograph as proof of what they saw and what they did. Investigators believe it was likely a pet or something that escaped a traveling circus. “We see no reason for anyone to be afraid of lion attacks,” said a spokesman for the Lemoyne Governor, “the singular cat has been killed and is no longer a threat.”
Halloween bounty gone wrong when a dead victim stands up
By Lucien Privett
A pair of bounty hunters were tracking a wanted man when they came across a disturbing scene. “This man was especially vicious,” said one of the bounty hunters, “just killed a woman out in the open and left her body there.” She went on to explain that most wanted men do not leave a trail of bodies, “only the dumb ones.” As one of the bounty hunters was investigating, however, something unexpected happened. “I don’t know why you’d believe me,” she said, “but the murdered woman just stood up like nothing was wrong.” While some may have seen this as a miracle, the bounty hunters saw it for something else. “We killed her proper,” she admitted. “What else were we supposed to do?” she asked, “dead is supposed to be dead.” She explained that the woman was certainly dead when they arrived. “She weren’t breathing, moving, didn’t respond to us at all,” she said. She also clarified that it was not as if the woman just took a breath and was struggling to survive. “She just stood up like she didn’t have a large open wound in her chest, the kind of thing that would spook someone made of less stern stuff.”
The woman said they later came across their target and captured him alive. “As he was her original killer, he will still be accused of the murder,” the bounty hunter said, “we only set things proper, given how fuzzy life and death has been in these parts.” Both bounty hunters agreed that they cannot wait for this time of thin barriers between realms to end.
Musician and advocate for musical education dies at 62
By Frederick Vannesse
Charles Jerome Hopkins died of a brain hemorrhage. Mr. Hopkins was born with a weak heart and not expected to survive passed toddler-hood. Survive, he did, however. Though his life was difficult, Mr. Hopkins found a love in chemistry, a love only surpassed when he found music. Those who knew him said that it was not easy for Mr. Hopkins to choose between chemistry and music to pour his efforts into, but the latter won out. Mr. Hopkins composed over 1200 pieces of music. However, he may most be remembered for his advocacy of musical education. He revitalized the efforts of Orpheon Schools, to offer free musical education, through the formation of the Children’s Musical Congress. There, Mr. Hopkins sparked an interest in music to young people and allowed them to display their skills through multiple concerts a year.
Additionally, Mr. Hopkins was instrumental in expanding interest in public support of art education. This led to money being set aside specifically for the purchasing of musical instruments and music instructors. Mr. Hopkins was also remembered for his musical lecture style, where he would lecture about music and support his lectures with musical pieces. He left this world surrounded by loved ones, including his niece, Amy Fay, who took possession of his belongings.
Witch or Killer? Historians Ponder Centuries-Old Irish Case
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
When historians write history, they don’t always get it right. It happens; historians make mistakes and have to correct them later, especially if new evidence comes to light. That’s precisely what’s going on in Ireland as we speak involving an ancient criminal case and the innocence of its subject.
In the 1300s, a woman named Alice Kyteler was put on trial for witchcraft. A local bishop claimed she was using unearthly powers to bewitch godly citizens and destroy families. He also accused her of killing three of her husbands. She wisely fled and was never seen, but her servants were burned at the stake. This was believed to be the real story for the longest time, followed by later revisions that claimed she was innocent. That’s changing yet again.
A local man found a document in an old church library that described the symptoms Alice’s fourth husband experienced. He lost his hair, and his fingernails fell out, and when she fled, his condition got better. The symptoms described are the same as arsenic poisoning. The document also states that bags of powder were taken from Alice’s basement, containing an unknown substance that was later burned.
This new evidence seems to point in the direction that Alice Kyteler was guilty. Not of being a witch, but of multiple homicides similar to the recent Irish killer Honora Kelley. The pendulum of history always swings towards the truth; it just takes its sweet time.
The Five States Herald 