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.
Wanted Del Lobo Killed by Black Rose
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Julio Lozada was found dead this morning, not far from Blackwater. Lozada was a high-ranking member of the infamous Del Lobo gang. He was wanted in at least three American states for robbery, murder, and setting a cat on fire. A wandering cowpoke thankfully found the body before the wolves ate him.
Lozada had been reportedly spotted near MacFarlane’s Ranch last week until he suddenly stopped appearing. Most assumed he merely was on the run again from bounty hunters; the truth was bleaker. Whether it was as a message to the Del Lobos, or happenstance, he was grabbed by the infamous Myra Rose Hart. He suffered for some time until he was executed with a knife; the reported expression on Lozada’s face was a nightmarish glance of pain yet also clearly happy it was over.
Perhaps as a sort of gleeful showing off, Miss Hart was kind enough to send in a letter to the Five State Herald itself. The following is an abridged version of the message.
“Dear editor, it’s good to know people are tripping over their own shadows when I am mentioned. It has gotten to the point where even the most random of murders is blamed on me. But even someone such as I enjoy a little peace and rest now and then. A pity the Del Lobo’s don’t seem to agree, oh why they thought it was smart to mess with me. Someone had to die; shame it was Mr. Lozada; he wasn’t much of an outlaw. A true outlaw doesn’t cry like a pig when being burned with a lighter. But still, Mr. Lozada was a very nice gentleman, up to the moment I cut his throat. Now the rest of his gang best take note; if anyone wants to work with me, I will gladly help. But if someone tries to pull something on me, you best hope God accepts you because I am known to make Death himself envious.”
Black Rose
Bootleggers arrested near Armadillo
By Wylie Frey
The Bureau of Internal Revenue appears to be turning things around. They have made another successful arrest in New Austin this week. The Bureau’s turnaround comes as Agent Artemas Mallicoat continues to operate as the acting head of the agency. There is some hesitance to officially name him as the head of the Bureau. Some suggest the position is cursed as a result of the last several Bureau heads have been killed.
Agent Mallicoat has been seen across the Five States, where he has visited with local law enforcement. Local lawmen have described Agent Mallicoat positively, however, most still have a distrust of his position as a federal agent. The arrested bootleggers both gave the location of a moonshine facility. However, when the agents went to the location they found it empty, save for the moonshining equipment. It appeared that the occupants had left in a hurry.
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!
Man found dead and relieved of possessions
By Alois Burditt
A woman arrived in Tumbleweed this week and reported coming across a dead man and dead horse. She did not offer her name, though the deputy who assisted her described her as looking like, “the adventurous type.” She wore a single pistol, a rare styling of the Volcanic pistol. The woman was reportedly calm as she described the scene to the deputy. When lawmen arrived at the scene, they saw it much as the woman described. “Looked like a robbery,” the deputy said, “the man had nothing of value on him and the horse’s saddlebags were also empty.” The saddle itself was reported as an expensive model, though it was likely not easy to take off a dead horse. The woman left Tumbleweed soon after reporting the dead man.
‘Wild Bunch’ gang member spotted near Colter
By Delphia Atwood
Robert Leroy Parker, otherwise known as Butch Cassidy, was seen around Colter this week. It is unknown why the infamous criminal is in the Five States. Nor is it known if his gang has followed him. Cassidy is described as of average height, with blonde hair and blue eyes. His dark mustache contrasts with his blonde hair and he is often seen wearing a wide brimmed hat. He is said to be dangerous and authorities advise not approaching him if seen.
Gunfight crosses Dakota River and initiates federal investigation
By Daisy Fairman
A gunfight went from a state problem to a federal problem in the time it took a few cowpokes to cross the Dakota River. This is not the first time gunfights have spilled over into more than one state. The gunfight reportedly started near Diablo Ridge. Witnesses reported that a group of outlaws attacked a wagon full of supplies. The attackers took aim for the horses pulling the wagon, immediately bring the wagon to a halt. The wagon drivers quickly drew their weapons and began firing from cover.
No other witness reports were available. Authorities investigating the gunshots followed tracks started near Diablo Ridge, went through the Dakota River and picked up again on the otherside headed toward Valentine. “Crossed state lines, that means it ain’t my problem anymore,” said the West Elizabeth State Policeman investigating the scene. Federal authorities were contacted and will resume the investigation in a week.
Newspaper thief hanged to death
By Adam Parvey
Last week, many of our readers may have noticed the Herald did not arrive on time. This was the result of a massive theft operation across the Five States. Every copy of the paper was taken while the pages were still warm! Page Brenner was arrested the very same day, having been caught with large stacks of the Herald in his possession. Mr. Brenner confessed to the mass paper theft but would reveal no allies. Authorities are certain that he could not have acted alone. In an act of swift justice, Mr. Brenner was hanged in Valentine just days after his arrest and confession.
However, it was not newspaper theft that led to Mr. Brenner’s hanging, at least not directly. When Mr. Brenner stole a stack of Heralds in Annesburg, a local lawman spotted him. In order to make a quick getaway, Mr. Brenner jumped on a nearby horse and rode hard south before being lost in the Roanoke Ridge woods. A Valentine deputy recognized Mr. Brenner based on a description sent by telegram. He was arrested and after admitting to his crime, sentenced to death. While stealing newspapers only earns a fine, horse theft is punishable by death. Mr. Brenner apologized for stealing the horse, saying he had not intended to do so. However, he never stated his motivation for stealing so many copies of the Herald.
Distrust of bounty hunting system hits New Hanover harder than other states
By Emery Cosberry
While not the most lawless state in the region, New Hanover has been heavily invested in the bounty hunting system. It boasts more bounty boards than any other state and is said to be home to more bounty hunters than anywhere else. When potential corruption in the BHTC Bounty Hunting Program was exposed, many in New Hanover were suddenly looking for new work. “I don’t see many folks taking posters off the board anymore,” said the Emerald Station Clerk. Those that do still report to the bounty boards are often folks described as lacking moral convictions by others. “How can anyone still work for them? I mean come on, after being used as a tool per petty revenge?” one resident said. I waited by the Valentine bounty board for several hours before I saw a bounty hunting taking a poster.
I asked them why they still worked as a bounty hunter, to which they said dryly, “because I gotta eat, don’t I?” The investigation into the BHTC is ongoing though it is limited to the Bounty Hunting Program. An anonymous source has confirmed that other programs funded by the BHTC have been found to be free of corruption. What, if anything, will be done to those found guilty of corruption is unknown. However, my source did indicate that they believe the investigation will be wrapping up shortly.
Gang camp busted by the Grey Cowboy
By Van R. Seldon
Last seen barely escaping a Halloween related attack in Valentine, the masked vigilante called the Grey Cowboy has reemerged. The attack was only learned about when the Grey Cowboy arrived in Valentine with the prone gang leader on his horse. Deputies immediately set off for the location the gang’s location and found evidence that they were planning a large scale assault on Valentine. “Turns out that more outlaws were coming over the next few days,” said Sheriff Malloy. “Their plan was to amass a large force of outlaws while a few of their lesser known members scouted Valentine for weaknesses.” The blow dealt by the Grey Cowboy’s attack seems likely to have ended plans for the attack, but deputies are remaining vigilant all the same.
Revenuer checkpoint ambushed by panther
By Mathilde Orry
In a story that is nearly too unbelievable to be true, Revenuers were sent into a momentary retreat by a panther. One of the agents noticed man riding toward the checkpoint from the east in a hurry. “He had a twisted look about his face, which I didn’t understand then but understood soon after!” the agent said. Behind the man was what the agents described as a white blob. “It was moving fast, faster than the man on the horse,” an agent remarked. The agents described it as happening so fast that at one moment they saw the panic stricken man riding toward them, the next they say a large white cat pouncing on their colleague. As none of them were hunters, the site of a white panther spooked them terribly.
After several frantic moments, one of the agents finally fired his gun at the panther and sent it scurrying back into the swampy bayou. The attacked agent was badly injured but survived the mauling. The agents did not know it at the time, but they had seen the rare Ghost Panther and lived to tell the tale, though it may not be a story they are proud of.
Cajun Thanksgiving coming to Saint Denis
By Aloysius Levron
As Americans across the country prepare to enjoy their Thanksgiving Meals, Saint Denis residents are in for a special treat. Traditional Thanksgiving dishes will be served prepared in the Cajun style, which includes several spices sure to bring bland taste buds to life. Additionally, several Cajun dishes will be offered by restaurants across the city. These dishes include gumbo, jambalaya, sweet potato casserole, deviled eggs, a variety of seafood offerings, and fried turkey.
To ensure as many residents as possible can get a taste, these dishes will be offered at a generous discount all Thanksgiving Day.
Black Belle Continues to Ride!
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
Penny Dreadfuls are hard to miss when shopping for food or clothing. Always cheap, in price and quality yet hard to put down. Many of them glorify awful people for the masses; it’s only a matter of time until day’s criminals become campfire stories like Otis Miller and his gang. The most popular outlaw featured in these dime novels is not people like Miller; however, it’s Black Belle. The legendary widow dressed gunslinger, real name being Maybelle Elizabeth Colter, is always a best seller. Whether it’s because of her gender or the long list of incredible stories she’s been apart of, it’s fair to call her a true legend of the west. But what has become of the Dynamite Dowager? Although still on the run from the law and leader of a gang, she has not been seen in years. Well lucky for us, she contacted a local writer in Rhodes and was interviewed in secret. We managed to find that writer and learned a few things about the so-called Grande Dame of The Gunslingers.
Miss Colter is mostly amused by those terrible books, saying most of those stories never happened, but where’s the fun in killing the legend? She never intends to surrender, laughing that she’ll still be on the run the day she turns 100. One question the writer repeatedly asked her about was Myra Rose Hart. The Black Rose is both the biggest female outlaw since Black Belle and was reportedly quite the fan. Miss Colter was cagey, admitted she is both impressed yet horrified by that girl’s tenacity and cruelty but saying little else. In his notes, the writer wrote down that she’s probably working with Miss Hart in some capacity and just not being honest. When asked if she’ll ever sit for an official biography, like Otis Miller’s brother, she laughed at the very notion.
Most of the writer’s interview concerned her past crimes and life, details I am sure dear reader, you already know about. Suffice to say, Black Belle is still amongst the living, and likely to be for a while. She might not be as cruel or wealthy as other outlaws, but she carries a particular style we will likely never see in a criminal. It almost makes you forget all the people she has killed over the years.
Americans plan for Thanksgiving get-togethers despite restrictions
By Humphrey Harker
Another wave of U.S. soldiers and support staff have found their way home in time for Thanksgiving Dinner. However, authorities are warning against getting into large groups especially if a member of the family served in the Spanish-American War. “Many of our boys were exposed to new diseases in service of their country,” an Army spokesman said, “while we believe the U.S. soldier has the constitution to survive exposure, we warn against interacting with them.” Authorities are concerned that a breakout of an unknown disease could occur. Many are asking why the U.S. government did not quarantine returning soldiers and staff. The Army Spokesman did not reply to that concern.
Theordor Herzl arrives in Jerusalem, plans to build a Jewish State
By Ivy Seager
It was only two years ago that evidence surfaced that the disgraced Captain Alfred Drefus was falsely accused of treason. Worse, this evidence suggests someone else in the army committed treason and Captain Dreyfus was used a scapegoat due to his Jewish heritage. It was this event that inspired Mr. Theodor Herzl to make plans for a Jewish state. Born in Austria-Hungary, Mr. Herzl has begun making calls for people of Jewish ancestry to return to the Holy Land to form a Jewish State. Mr. Herzl’s arrival in Jerusalem was met with enthusiasm from those who are a part of his growing Zionist movement. His visit coincides with the arrival of German Emperor Wilhelm II, who Mr. Herzl intends to meet with.
The Five States Herald 