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.
Letter from the Editor
Dear Readers,
This week we break a story that is sure to shock every resident of the Five States. A serial killer among us! The Five States is a dangerous place and killers lurk around every corner, but a serial killer is a beast unlike anything anyone knows. They think unlike others and so they are dangerous.
New Austin is beset on by both criminals and now a hero attempting to bring law in a state that does not want it! A train robbery that nearly had Marshals ran over by a the train they attempted to help, increased criminal activity in Roanoke Ridge, and tensions building in both the state of Lemoyne and the town of Blackwater! All of this and more in this week’s edition of the Herald, plus am interview with a bonafide bounty hunter!
And to the astute readers, you may notice a few changes in format of the paper itself. All to make it easier to read.
William Warrington III, Editor in Chief
Serial Killer in the Five States!
By Ela Q. Asken
My loyal and dear readers, I can confirm for you today that there is, in fact, a serial killer in the Five States! The authorities are not convinced, but their scope is ridiculously limited. State governments give little concern to the affairs of other states. And a constant feud between governments results in a system where nobody cooperates. The federal government is even less interested in “getting involved in a state’s issue.” However, that is where I come in. If nobody will do a cross-state investigation, then I must.
Here, for the first time in print, I will reveal the evidence that I have uncovered. I will start with what is most recent. A colleague of mine did an inadequate job covering a double murder in New Austin last week. I remedied that. I had the corpses dug up and managed get an identity on one of the victims, whose name I will not reveal at this time. What is important is that this victim was a gambler and his gambling addiction put him in debt to powerful people. This was the first lead that connected the victims, but first I had to connect the killer to this last victim.
Speaking with members of the Five States Conservation League, I learned how the San Luis River flows. Together, we traced the location back to where the bodies were found to the dock from which they were thrown. As unlikely as it was, I looked down and found what I needed. There, resting in the crack between planks was a cigarette filter like the ones I found previously. So I went back to a case I covered in Blackwater and looked at my notes. Mr. Irvin Hayne, the victim in that case, was a gambler. He frequented the Blackwater Saloon for games of poker and often headed out to the Great Plains to bet on quarter mile horse races. Two gamblers dead, two months apart. But it does not end there.
In the weeks that followed the Blackwater murder, several other bodies were found. They were mostly bound at the wrists and ankles, which is why I did not immediately connect them to the Blackwater murder. Two bodies washed up on the Lower Montana River. I cannot confirm their identities, but I believe they are victims of this serial killer. The killings at Owanjila were the most obvious that a professional killer was in the Five States. A random Del Lobos gang member with obvious criminal connections was next. A fisherman who was known to frequent secret card games in Strawberry was after him.
Each killing is a new chapter in this murderer’s macabre story. And each chapter brings more clues. I am convinced there is one man behind these killings. More importantly, I believe this man is merely a hired a gun. A man so callous that he can snuff the life out of someone for a cash payment. A man so arrogant as to leave behind a cigarette filter so there is no doubt that it was he who did the deed. I accept your challenge, murderer. I will use words to stop you and take away your power. I will expose you. Mark my words. Everyone will know who the Smoking Gun killer is by the time I am done.
New Austin
New gang threatens trouble across New Austin
By Wylie Frey
A Concenred Citizen has written to us about a gang of outlaws who call themselves the “Van Strauss Family.” This citizen was in Tumbleweed when they heard of them. Other citizens in Tumbleweed confirmed the existence of this gang. They are known to rob banks, kidnap, and even murder for money. Their leader is a woman called Marie Van Strauss. She has had a bounty on her in New Austin for some time but no bounty hunter has been able to bring her in.
The Concerned Citizen mentioned that the gang was recruiting, though other citizens seemed nervous talking about that topic. The Concerned Citizen overheard one thing in particular that had them shook to their core, “we’re going to burn down these cities and clean out the real criminals!” It seems this is another gang with a problem with authority.
U.S. Marshal moves into New Austin to bring order
By Wylie Frey
A U.S. Marshal named Jonathan Hagar is focusing his efforts at the state level for awhile. He has been seen traveling New Austin looking recruits and word is that he’s forming a company of the New Austin Rangers. For the last several years New Austin has been a dusty wasteland stricken down with disease, lawlessness and bandits.
Sheriff Walton R. Hemsworth of the town of Armadillo has long requested aid for assistance in combating outlaws in the southwestern state. Each time, he has been denied due to lack of resources and situations involving the other states problems with Natives and gangs.
No longer, vows Marshal Hagar. In an interview he state that he’d, “take control of New Austin once again, prying it from the cold dead hands of the brigands and ne’er do wells that have plagued it for the last few years.”
Marshal Hagar as requested that any honorable, and willing men, who are eager to bring order or are experienced with firearms to present themselves to the Sheriff’s office in Armadillo if they wish to assist him in peacekeeping duties around the state.
Ambarino
Doc’s Prescription: Ginsgeng, Miracle or Myth?
By Doc Deschain
Beneath the verdant canopies of the forests of the Five States there grows a miracle herb- or so some hold as truth- ginseng. The Five States is host to two species of the herb: American and the rarer Alaskan. It has long been accepted as a useful medicinal plant and there is a wealth of Native and settler herblore to support it’s uses. Primarily used as a heart remedy and a tonic for the humors it has also been purported to put “lead in the cylinder”, so to speak, of the woe begone cowpoke who has long since had his ‘pistol’ aimed at the floor for too long. This reporter certainly cannot attest to these claims, having no such malformities in his condition, but there has been a claim put forward by some in the herbalist community that ginseng may just hold the key to a cure for a virulent and destructive disease that is all to common and all too fatal in the Five States: tuberculosis. The source of this rumor comes from those familiar with the chief of the Wapiti Indians, a dour man by the name of Rain’s Fall, who has been known to administer ginseng for a great many ailments. He gave no assurances of it curing tuberculosis but did say he wouldn’t hesitate in its administration. The Pharmaceutical Society of Saint Denis was adamant that no such evidence existed that ginseng could hold the key to a TB cure when contacted for a comment. “There is much work, much science, that needs to go into these sorts of experiments,” a brusque doctor assured our reporter, “to postulate otherwise could potentially cause a great deal of wasted and, frankly, particularly precious time for the sufferer in question.” It would be irresponsible for this paper to encourage independent research outside the authority of the Society but should some canny cowpoke out there find any voracity to these claims, do not hesitate to contact the Herald with evidence, you’d certainly be in lights in the herbalist, pharmaceutical and Five States community. Many a precious and endeared life could be saved as a result. For anyone looking to experiment with a reliable source of Alaskan Ginseng head to the farm North of Window Rock and West of Whinyard Strait where a crop of prime plant is easily obtained.
West Elizabeth
Blackwater shook by the murder of two families
By Nick McCrary
The town of Blackwater is a quiet and somber place this week. Two families were brutally murdered just days apart. The Swaford family was killed earlier in the week. The murder likely occurred overnight. The family was discovered at least a day after they were killed. Mr. and Mrs. Swaford were found bound together and gagged, both of their throats slit. Their only child was lying dead in front of them, also having his throat slit.
The Dove family was discovered dead the day after the Swaford’s bodies were found. They had been similarly bound and had their throats slit. A bounty has gone out for the “Blackwater Killers.” Though their real names are not known, photographs believed to be the killers have been circulated.
Train robbery near Bard’s Crossing
By Nick McCrary
A clever posse made off with bags of money and several valuables this week. The train had just left Riggs Station and was about to cross Bard’s Crossing when the bandits boarded it. The engineer slowed down when he noticed a broke down wagon on the tracks. The wagon was a ruse and the posse took over the train.
A few of the bandits boarded the train and went to robbing the passengers of valuables. A couple of others moved to a car in the rear, where cash being transferred to a bank in Saint Denis was stored. Dynamite was used to blow the car open and shots were fired. The engineer, who had been hogtied and left on the side of the tracks noticed a some people on horse back coming across Bard’s Crossing. The gunshots had alerted two U.S. Marshals patrolling the area.
However, the posse had what they needed and were already on their horses, except one member. The last bandit on the train rigged the train to start moving forward before jumping off. The marshals got close, but when the train started picking up speed they had no choice but to turn their horses around and flee from the oncoming train. A railroad employee at Flatneck Station chased the train down while the Marshals finally crossed Bard’s Crossing. Unfortunately, it was too late and the robbers were gone.
Blackwater businessman increases security after last week’s assault on For Mercer
By Adam Parvey
Last week Teddy Brown and his gang of thugs were assaulted and killed. As soon as word broke, Amos Lancing increased his security detail. Though Lancing does not refute the fact that Brown was his brother-in-law, he has often claimed that he has no connection beyond that to Brown. When asked for an official comment on why Lancing increased his personal security after Brown’s death, Lancing said, “It’s clear the Five States is becoming increasingly lawless. Why wouldn’t I increase security?”
When pressed for a comment on powerful people in Blackwater trying to prevent the marshals from pursuing Brown, he replied, “I am not among the powerful people in Blackwater. I am above them. Had I wanted Brown protected, it would have been so.” A bold proclamation that avoids answering directly. The Blackwater police force has also been ramped up.
In addition to an increased security force, I have learned that Mr. Lancing has been speculating on properties owned by the late Philip LeClerk. The property has passed through inheritance to Mr. LeClerk’s wife Jessica, who could not be reached for comment. Some may say it is only good business for Lancing to look into his late partner’s ownings but it does some a bit curious given recent events. It was noted that Jessica LeClerk was spotted at Fort Mercer when Teddy Brown was killed and by some accounts, she herself pulled the trigger and killed him.
Brown has long been rumored to work for Mr. Lancing before Mr. Lancing married Brown’s sister Grace. Mr. LeClerk gets killed in Blackwater and Mr. Lancing begins speculating on his property. Weeks later Brown is assaulted at Fort Mercer where Mrs. LeClerk was spotted and in response, Mr. Lancing increases his security. Is it a series of coincidences or is there a larger plot beyond our view?
New Hanover
Sergio Vincenza Captured
By Van R. Seldon
Sergio Vincenza was captured and brought in last week in another success being credited to the bounty hunting initiative. Vincenza was wanted for his part in a plot to killed the Governor of Lemoyne. Though some have suggested the alleged plot was a fabrication, a false story meant to give the government pretense to arrest Vincenza, who is critical of the U.S. Government. Several posses joined together to bring Vincenza down and most of those men died.
Vincenza is known to be an expert marksman and proved it by whittling down the bounty hunter force. However, a couple of bounty hunters made it underneath Vincenza’s tower and were able to avoid his deadly aim. They stormed the tower and took Vincenza down. Three bounty hunters left together with the target.
Vincenza took the arrest in stride. He seemed to be eager to be given a public platform. He demanded a trial and promised onlookers that his message would spread. “They hold temporary power! The real power is in the people!” he shouted as he was taken into the Annesburg Sheriff’s Office.
Valentine bare knuckle fighter regrets challenging Le Colosse
By Emery Cosberry
Though not supposed to be talked about, the Valentine Fight Club is well known. The lawmen ignore the fighting as long as the violence does not spread beyond the fighters themselves, which it rarely does. One member of this fight club took note of the wrestling championg Le Colosse (The Colossus) who was traveling through Valentine with a caravan of performing acts. The Valentine fighter, coming off a recent night of fight club victory, challenged Le Colosse to a fight. Though Le Colosse prefers not to wrestle strangers, he took the challenge.
To everyone’s surprise, Le Colosse took a punch to the jaw without flinching. The fighter was so stunned that he did not defend himself when Le Colosse lifted the fighter up and spun him around in a maneuver called the “airplane spin.” Without slowing, Le Colosse lifted his large victim in his arms as if he were no more than a child and slammed him to the ground. To his credit, the fighter stood up immediately but could not hold his balance as a result of the long airplane spin. Le Colosse merely pushed the fighter’s chest with a “finger poke of doom” and the fighter fell to the ground, where he was promptly pinned. Le Colosse celebrated with a few fans before rejoining with his troupe, who was camped just outside of the town.
Arsonist wanted in Roanoke Ridge
By Van R. Seldon
The South has become a powder keg in recent months. One Cecil C. Tucker decided to throw in the match, literally, when he burned down the homes of black families living in the slums of Saint Denis. Tucker was chased by police but managed to escape the city. The details of his escape are unknown, but it is believed that the Saint Denis police conveniently left parts of the city unguarded. Federal authorities quickly put a bounty out for Tucker, forcing him out of Lemoyne where locals authorities were protecting him.
Tucker was seen headed north into Roanoke Ridge, where bounty hunters are searching for the arsonist. It is believed he is holing up in Fort Brennand, though that has not be confirmed as of press time. The Governor of Lemoyne has refused to comment, despite rumors that Tucker and the Governor are acquaintances.
Lemoyne
Braithwaite/Gray feud spills over Rhodes
By Mathilde Orry
The long standing feud between the Braithwaites and the Grays spilled into Rhodes over the weekend. Both families have a long history in Lemoyne and for as much of that history as anyone can remember, the families have been rivals. Nobody knows the origin of the feud but many know the results. While typically limited to drunken shouting matches, a couple of drunk Braithwaites started shooting their guns wildly after having a few too many. When Sheriff Leigh Gray attempted to bring the peace, a shoot out started.
The drunkards were unable to shoot accurately but caused quite a stir. Locals ran for a cover and hid in buildings or anything they could crouch behind. Eventually the Braithwaites spent all of their ammo. Sheriff Gray and a deputy subdued the drunk men while they fumbled to reload. The men were locked up and told they would need to sleep it off, but a few other Braithwaites showed up and demanded the drunks be released.
After an intense stand off, the Braithwaites relented. They rented room at the nearby inn to ensure there were no “Gray shenanigans.” In the morning, they collected their hung over brethren and retreated back to their plantation.
Lemoyne Raiders strike at local fisherman amid political tensions
By Aloysius Levron
Tensions are high across Lemoyne. Controversy around the gubernatorial race continues. From the Governor’s support of the disenfranchisement of black men to the recently foiled assassination attempt on the Governor himself, supporters of these candidates are getting clear signals that violence is acceptable. On the streets of Saint Denis fights have erupted over supporting the “wrong” candidate. Many protested being unable to vote for a side altogether. A small riot nearly broke out around supporters of the Governor but the police managed to put it down promptly.
This tension is bleeding out into the wilderness that surrounds Saint Denis. Out on the bayou a fisherman named Jules was abducted by the Lemoyne Raiders to show their support for the Governor. Jules’ fishing partner Thomas was able to find help in the Chickasaw tracker Akanowa. “Knew her for a long time. Heard she was back in the bayou so put out word.” Akanowa found Thomas soon after he put word out for her. It did not take long for Akanowa to find Jules, who was bound to a post while the Raiders watching over him drank. They were in no condition to defend themselves from arrows that came for them.
“I heard a woosh. I didn’t know what was happening and then they started falling with arrows in their chests and heads!” Jules said. The last one standing took a tomahawk to the chest. Jules was freed and promptly made his way back to Lagras. “I ain’t seen her yet,” Thomas said Akanowa, “But she’ll stop by and I’ll pay her proper.”
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The Bounty Hunter’s Burden
By John Harlow
This afternoon I met with the acclaimed bounty hunter Thomas Hughes. He agreed to meet me in Blackwater, as he believed it a safe place for our much awaited interview. He was an imposing man with dark hair and darker eyes, watching every small movement I made. He carried a set of firearms and a fearsome hunting knife, however I felt relaxed despite his oppressive demeanor. I asked him, “How has a foreign man such as yourself has found himself in America chasing down wanted criminals?”
He replied, “I haven’t always been looking for trouble, but ever since I was in South Africa, I have been unable to ease my mind. I often get dreams involving the Zulu men I had to cut down, and I always wake up in a sweat. Being able to experience the same danger and thrill again while attempting to arrest or kill real savage men has been a tremendous relief for me”
I was intrigued by his comments, so I continued, “How can violence ease your mind of violent thoughts? Do you not have any reservations about your role as an executioner?”
“I do try and avoid taking the role of executioner, but at times it is required of me, typically for my own safety, or if the bounty is known to be highly resistant. But for me, violence is not a source of stress, but the lack of violence can occasionally cause me to anticipate an ambush, and this leads to a sense of anxiousness. The only way I feel that I can relieve this stress is by fighting for my life. I believe that this is divine punishment for the killings I’ve taken part in while wearing a red coat”
I asked, “Do you still have loyalties to England?”
“Not at all. I’m a Welshman, I’ve got as much love for England as a Irishman or a Scot does. I served in the British army because I believed it was the best option for me. I had lots of experience shooting as I was raised on a farm, and I was convinced by a friend to join up with the South Wales regiment of foot”
“What about here in West Elizabeth? How have you found your time here?”
“You know, this land offers a lot of freedom, but freedom can include the freedom to abuse others too. I’ve had the opportunity here to make a name for myself, which was practically impossible for me in Britain. They value robustness and hardiness on these lands, not academia and peerage. I’ve met with many interesting peoples here, and I’ve decided to live off this land, and to hunt down those who threaten our peace together”
Across the Nation
Official report: USS Lewiston sunk to external explosion!
By Adam Parvey
After an allegedly exhaustive investigation, the United States Navy has concluded that the USS Lewiston was destroyed by an external explosion. This puts the focus on who initiated the attack. Many in the military are already convinced that the answer is ovious: Spain. Spain has denied any part in the attack and has called the U.S. Navy’s claims the result of “poorly trained investigators” or the result of political will bending the truth.
Whatever the truth, forces in Washington are already preparing for war. Politicians are makign speeches, generals are rallying the troops, and industry is booming. While I am unconvinced that the USS Lewiston was attacked by Spain, it is obvious war is coming.
Around the Globe
Chinese Emperor promises reform amidst controversial Hong Kong decision
By Humphrey Harker
Reforms announced in China are aimed at modernizing the Chineze military, improving education for its people, limit the monarch with a constitution, establish a railroad bureaucracy, and bring Western capitalism to the East. Emporer Guangxu and his supporters believe the reforms will user the most ancient of countries into the modern word. Those who were not pleased with China’s lease of Hong Kong to England are not please about the “Hundred Days’ Reform.” For opponents, these reforms are a sign of changing China to something that can no longer recognized in China.
The Five States Herald 