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.
Vikings in America?
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Who discovered America? A rhetorical question, Christopher Columbus as we are taught in school. Of course, just as many people will proudly point out, the Norse Vikings made it centuries before Columbus, at least in Canada. Most historians are pretty sure they only briefly built a settlement in northwestern Canada before leaving; they didn’t explore what is now the United States. At least that’s the common assumption. Is that right?
In the northern part of the Five States, near the mining town of Annesburg, is a stone. It doesn’t have a name nor a purpose, its has been there for many generations. On the stone are strange symbols that resemble a language of sorts. Many observers have noticed that the language looks like Old Norse, the language of the Vikings.
Many historians have been stumped on explaining away this stone. It’s been dated to at least 1000 years ago; it’s not a prank made by a bored child. It didn’t float here from Canada, does this mean the Vikings explored as far south as New Hanover? Such a fact would upend centuries of history if it were to be proven. Such proof will likely never come, but it makes you wonder. Who came here first?
Federal lawmen arrested in Tumbleweed
By Jose Chavez
A pair of federal lawmen rode into Tumbleweed early this week. Readers of this paper know that tensions between Tumbleweed’s local lawmen and federal lawmen has been high. Tumbleweed, and New Austin’s state government, has offered protection to the bounty hunter Nathaniel Cross. Cross was accused of being the Grey Cowboy, a vigilante who was known for killing outlaws. Cross has never confirmed nor denied being the Grey Cowboy, but since the allegations surfaced he has remained in New Austin where he has legal protection. Witnesses say the federal lawmen tried to be subtle in asking about the whereabouts of Nathaniel Cross. They were not subtle enough. Upon learning of the federal lawmen asking about Cross, Sheriff Sam Freeman issued a bounty for the two men. “They were violating New Austin and Tumbleweed law, which I uphold,” Sheriff Freeman said. The two federal lawmen would be seen in Tumbleweed again two days later when they arrived in the back of Nathaniel Cross’ wagon.
“They were looking for Cross and, well, I suppose in a way they found him,” said Sheriff Freeman. The two men were placed in jail. “I’ll transfer them out of state, sure,” Sheriff Freeman said, “but as long as they are in New Austin they will remain under arrest.” According to Cross, the two men slowly approached his camp while he was resting by the fire. They had not noticed Cross’ associate until he had a rifle aimed at them. Distracted, they were easily taken down and placed in a prison wagon. It is likely they will be transferred to the federal government, however, Sheriff Freeman says not until after they serve their time in Tumbleweed.
Half a dozen bodies found in Lake Isabella
By Caylen V. Hornby
The frozen lake in the Grizzlies West has once again played host to murder victims. A woman fishing in the mostly frozen over lake saw a body float to the surface. She panicked and rode as fast as she could to Strawberry. A posse was formed and they rode out to the lake. By the time they arrived, six bodies in total and floated to the top of the lake. Some surfaced where the ice broke up, while most remained just under the ice itself. The posse broke the ice up to retrieve the bodies. Each was found with a single gunshot to the back of the head. “It’s not uncommon for bodies to be found under Lake Isabella,” said a Strawberry lawman, “folks sometimes fall in there and freeze, sometimes they are killed and disposed of.” This case was certainly the latter. Authorities currently have no leads but estimate the killings to have taken place around the same time. “They were either killed within days of each other, or perhaps killed, stored and then all dumped together,” the lawman said. The identities of the victims has not been identified yet.
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!
Blackwater assault thwarted by brave defender
By Odell Clifton
The town of Blackwater came under stiff attack again. Fortunately, skilled gunslingers came to the town’s aid. Witnesses reported that the combined efforts of the gunslingers and residents pushed the attackers back. That is, until the attackers brough a heavily armored war wagon into the fight. “That damn wagon killed several defenders and pinned down those still alive,” said one of the witnesses. Just as all hope seemed lost, one of the gunslingers nodded a goodbye to a few other defenders and mounted his horse. “That crazy bastard rode right at that damn war wagon like a mad man!” a witness reported. While other defenders took a few pot shots, the rider lit a stick of dynamite as he charged. Witnesses report that the gunner on the war wagon turned his aim toward the charging horseman. The horseman managed to avoid being hit and threw the dynamite at the wagon.
The explosion destroyed the wagon and killed the attackers around it. The defenders quickly rallied and pushed the attackers back and out of the town. The “dynamite cowboy” was celebrated as a hero. His wounds, and those of his horse, were tended to at no cost to the defender.
Private investor group, the BHTNC, pays for alcohol across the Five States
By Adam Parvey
Residents are divided by the latest update from the BHTNC. The group that once offered new jobs and promises of future occupational options has decided to pay for all alcohol purchased at saloons in the Five States. Saloon operators are keeping track of all alcohol beverages purchased and being reimbursed by the BHTNC. The promotion, which is scheduled to last until the first week of April, has not been received warmly. “I have beer at my camp I can drink and even at a saloon it’s only, what, 50 cents?” one cowpoke wondered, “so is it really that much of a savings?” Several residents acknowledged that this could be a very costly promotion for the BHTNC. However, they also have suggested its foolish. “For all the cost of buying all that alcohol, any one of us will see only a marginal benefit,” said a well educated resident who chooses the life of a bounty hunter instead of that of a scholar, “so it’s a hell of a cost for something most of us will at best, ignore.” The muted response seemed to be the most common, with the second most frequent response being ignorance. Residents either knew about the promotion and did not care of had no idea the promotion existed. Either way, not a good sign. The BHTNC refused to provide a comment for this article.
Duel nearly disrupted by shirtless man
By Donna Deshner
According to witnesses, two women squared off, arguing and threatening each other. The argument became increasingly heated with both women inching their hand closer to their pistols. However, just before the shooting started a man without a shirt came running out of nowhere. He pushed the first woman, preventing her from drawing her hand gun. Witnesses say he then turned and sprinted on the other woman, who had drawn her gun and fired but missed him and the other dueler. He pushed her as well, preventing her from firing another shot. The two would be duelers then stared at him confused.
“For time, it seemed like the duel was over,” said one witness. The man danced in celebration, until one of the women resumed the duel without warning. “She fired on the other woman and killed her,” said a witness, “that poor fella thought he saved the day but just delayed the inevitable.” The shooter then jumped on a nearby horse and rode off.
English gang in Saint Denis?
By Emeline Vickroy
Authorities sent out a warning that a dangerous gang from Birmingham, England has arrived in Saint Denis. The gang, called the Peaky Blinders, has been operating since the 1880s. They came into power through the use of physical force, theft, racketeering, illegal bookmaking, and even murder. Made up mostly of working class men with no legitimate economic prospects, it seems unlikely that the gang would have the resources to travel to the United States. Though it may be possible a few members have arrived, potentially to scout the area for an American expansion of their territory. The reports are still unconfirmed, but Saint Denis authorities have warned locals to avoid well dressed men wearing peaked flat claps. A man traveling through Saint Denis heard the reports and laughed and said, “an English gang, here? I suspect they’ll have a lot to learn,” while pointing at his gun. It is true that gun ownership his much higher in the United States, particularly in the Five States. That may make the notorious gang think twice about an American expansion.
Returning cowpoke stunned to learn that loyalty rewards have been significantly reduced
By Lucien Privett
After a long absence from the Five States, a returning cowpoke was shocked to learn that their loyalty rewards had been reset. “Back when I roamed these states before, you could earn a streak with loyalty rewards and get bonuses until you broke your streak,” the cowpoke said, “but I learned now that our loyalty streaks automatically reset after 28 days. That sucks.” Many residents who remembered the loyalty rewards change sympathized with the cowpoke. “Those were the good ole days!” said one long time resident. Another added, “that was when we still had hope!” The change to the program was controversial. The loyalty programed was designed and funded through the BHTNC, the private investor group that oversees development of the Five States. Participants are able to earn multipliers that are applied to gold nuggets rewarded for various activities. While the original incarnation of the loyalty program capped the multiplier at 28 days, it did not reset. This meant that participants were able to keep a high multiplier and earn more gold nuggets as long as they maintained a loyalty streak by completing BHTNC assigned challenges.
The change to the program came about a year ago and saw the multiplier reset after the 28th day. This meant that participants could no longer benefit from an indefinite multiplier and significantly reduced gold nugget earning. Though the change remains a controversial moment in the Five States’ history, most have accepted it or left the region entirely. It does come as a bit of a shock to returning cowpokes, however, who may have been out of the loop regarding the Five States. While some cowpokes encouraged the returning cowpoke to stick around, others warned that it was all going downhill. Slightly disheartened about their reduced gold earning capabilities, the cowpoke appears to be shrugging it off and planning to remain in the Five States for the near future.
US Steamship Inspectors in Trouble?
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Corruption is rampant; if you kick over a stone, it’ll probably be guilty of bribery. Everyone in the Five States can explain in great detail how corrupt politicians and the system is, but its equally unsurprising how many aspects of government are not trustworthy.
The US Steamship Inspection department is a subdivision of the Department of Commerce. As the name says, steamships are routinely inspected for safety violations or financial-related crimes. The US employs hundreds of inspectors who are usually tasked with looking over a handful of ships. A ship cannot have its passenger or cargo limit raised without the approval of inspectors, usually anyway.
In recent months several inspectors have been caught taking bribes from ship captains and company owners to look the other way when it comes to safety. This has led to many incidents of ships almost sinking or almost capsizing due to unreasonable ship capacity.
Who is at fault for this is complicated as inspectors are picked by the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Commerce is hand-picked by the president. So is this President MacAlister’s fault? The Secretary of Commerce? Individual inspectors? Who knows, we just know justice won’t be done.
Jockeys begin arriving in England for the 60th Grand National race
By Ivy Seager
Fans of horse racing have reason to be excited. March 25th will see the 60th Grand National race taking place in Liverpool, England. Just over two dozen jockeys will be taking part. The Grand National race began its origin as a race for “gentleman riders,” or riders who were not paid to ride. The goal was to have a race for amateurs that could be just as exciting as watching professionals. However, professional riders have increasingly entered the race. Last year’s winner, Terry Kavanaugh, will be competing again. Last year, Kavanaugh rode the horse called Manifesto. This year he will be riding Cruiskeen II. Two years ago Kavanaugh was unable to complete the race while riding Miss Baron after being knocked over. He will certainly be hoping for a performance closer to last year’s rather than two years ago. Security in Liverpool is said to be high. Horse racing brings out criminal elements through attempts to control the gambling dens and even fix races. Race organizers have employed a large number of veterinarians to examine any horse that is “pulled up” during the race. For non race fans, a jockey may exit the race if they believe their horse can not physically continue. This is referred to as the horse being pulled up. The veterinarians will ensure pulled up horses are in fact physically unable to continue and not just a means for a jockey to exit the race as part of a race fixing scheme. Despite, or perhaps because of, the increased security, racing authorities expect a smooth experience riders, horses, and fans alike.
The Five States Herald 