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.
Turning Point Reached in Bounty Hunter War
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
After several weeks of grueling fighting, the war against outlaws in the Five States is starting to pay off. Although widely derided, the use of elite bounty hunter squads is, for the most part, working as intended.
Over the past couple of weeks, numerous high-profile criminals have been brought to justice. Among those names are: the infamous poacher Theodore Xavier and his men. The radical Tobin Anderson and his fellow wreckers. Thaddeus Walter, the much-hated card shark. The wolf in sheep’s clothing Bartholomew Brown, and several members of the New Hanover gang merely called the Three Widows.
Two major cults were also wiped out, a minor cult out of the Valentine area, and the much larger Seventh Generation cult led by “Shepard” Virgil Edwards. The Respawners and Chelonians beware! Other high-profile casualties include the pompous Gene “Beau” Finley, the moonshine running Bellingham Brothers, and two members of Addison Wye’s Jailbreakers. Frank Fitzpatrick and Edmund Connolly were reported dead earlier this week, Addison Wye himself is still at large.
By far, the biggest bounty taken down has to be Carmela Montez, leader of the Del Lobos gang. Her bullet-riddled corpse was brought into Strawberry by an unknown woman just yesterday. She was missing almost all her limbs, it’s believed that the killer used her war wagons maxim gun against her. The only limb remaining was her head. In her mouth was a rose turned black from oil probably taken from the war wagon. It is widely suspected that this was Myra Rose Hart settling a score, as several newspapers called Montez the deadliest outlaw in the Five States. A woman that vain couldn’t let such a statement stand, especially after promising her own little war.
Among the most successful bounty hunter squads are Sandra Walsh’s team, codenamed Janus, and Elizabeth Cottons group, codenamed Briar Rose. Cotton is an interesting figure, a society woman from Saint-Denis, who in her spare time hunts criminals? As unlikely as it may be, she seems to be quite effective. She is personally responsible for capturing Thaddeus Walters alive despite her entire squad dying when several outlaws tried to free the infamous card thief.
Public support is slowly growing for the program, just what the BHTC was hoping for. The surviving infamous bounties are probably running scared about now. Perhaps we shall ring in the new year with more positive news.
Bounty hunters assaulted and bounty freed by the Grey Cowboy
By Wylie Frey
A group of bounty hunters was ambushed just outside of Armadillo, leading to the freeing of the captured man. One of the surviving members of the ambush said the assault started when one of his fellow bounty hunters fell off of his horse. “It was funny at first, because he just grunted and fell over,” the bounty hunter laughed. However, they quickly realized the fallen bounty hunter was wrapped in a bolas. As the three other bounty hunters drew their weapons, a second member was taken down with another bolas. The attacker finally appeared, having stepped out from behind a crop of cacti. The description of the attacker matched that of the Grey Cowboy, who until now, had mostly dealt with breaking up gang hideouts and going after masked outlaws.
The bounty hunter said he and his partner who were not wrapped in bolas heard the gunshot first, which hit him in the leg. “It hurt my leg but I was fine, my horse was just a bit startled,” the bounty hunter said, “guess I should have listened to my friend’s advice and not brought an Arabian on a bounty hunt.” The horse ran away with the bounty hunter still on it. It is not clear what happened next, but the 4th bounty hunter was killed by a shot to the chest. The two bounty hunters wrapped in bolas did not see anything but heard the shot. The bounty target was then freed and the Grey Cowboy rode off.
“By the time I got my horse calm enough to come back, that grey asshole was already gone,” the bounty hunter said. Despite his gunshot wound, the bounty hunter was able to dismount his horse and free his partners. The survivors swore vengeance, stating that they would find the Grey Cowboy at make him pay. “What kind of man frees legitimate bounties?” the leader of the possse asked, “What kind of man wears a mask like that anyhow? An outlaw.”
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Mass “underwater grave” found in Lake Isabella
By Caylen V. Hornby
An ice fisher spotted a body underneath the layer of ice that covers Lake Isabella. As shocking as it is, this is not entirely uncommon. The remote area often attracts miscreants who wish to hide their misdeeds where few are likely to find them. What was shocking, however, was the number of bodies that were then discovered. The fisher started noticing several bodies floating up to the surface of the ice. By the time the fisher rode to Strawberry and came back with help, nearly a dozen bodies had floated to the surface. The bodies were described as barely recognizable and in many cases, missing patches of skin. No victims have been identified.
The Great Plains Sniper arrested
By Nick McCrary
A man walked into the Blackwater Police department this week and set a rolling block sniper rifle down while confessing to be the Great Plains Sniper. He was immediately arrested. The man did not give any details about those he killed or state anything about the reasoning for the killings. “He just walked in and said, ‘I’m the Great Plains Sniper,'” said the arresting officer, “I couldn’t quite believe it, but arrested him all the same.” According to authorities, the man has remained silent. Investigators are now looking over the rolling block rifle he gave to the police for evidence that may confirm that man’s claim. “I guess the feds don’t want no surprises in this case,” the Blackwater policeman said, “they want to be sure that when this man faces trial that he goes to mail.” To protect the integrity of the future trial, agents from the Bureau of Internal Revenue have been barred from questioning the man at this time.
“Four legged demon” spotted outside Strawberry
By Daisy Fairman
A man ran into Strawberry screaming about a “yellow eyed demon” that he spotted south of Strawberry. According to the man, the “demon” was animalistic, standing on four legs and being covered with demon as dark as a moonless night. He told some people the creature was as large as a bear, but according to other witnesses, the man claimed the creature was the size of a dog. There was one thing the witnesses agreed on, the man was drunk. “It ain’t so rare really for folks to leave the town to enjoy a bit of the drink,” said a Strawberry deputy, “it is rare that they see demons.” Some have suggested the man saw a dark colored coyote and in his drunken state, confused it with a demon. For the record, nobody else in the area reported a demon.
Rare wolf ran over by train
By Emery Cosberry
A naturalist was busy studying a rare Onyx Wolf, completely consumed by their observations that they did hear the train in the distance. “I start to get closer and got a picture of the beast and his pack,” the naturalist said. Hoping to secure a blood sample of the wolf, the naturalist loaded their varmint rifle with sedative rounds and began firing. “Unfortunately, the pack charged at me, preventing me from being able to sedate the Onyx Wolf,” the naturalist admitted. The naturalist said they began backing up and grabbing their bolt action rifle to fight off the pack. However, before he could fire a single shot the train came barreling through the area. “I don’t know why I never heard it, but suddenly it was there and the poor Onyx was just destroyed by the train,” the naturalist said. The wolf became unrecognizable as it was ran over and the members of the pack that did not get ran over quickly ran away. “There was a lot of blood, just not sure any of it was good enough for a sample.” The train did not stop.
Dozens of Saint Denis residents sick, one dead, after all night party
By Aloysius Levron
A celebratory party ended in tragedy, when one party goer died and several others were left feeling ill. Authorities have made it clear that the illness is not contagious and anybody who was not at the party is perfectly safe. This can be stated with confidence because the illness has been traced down to the moonshine purchased for the event. This batch of moonshine was brought into the party late, when many party goers were already drunk. “If something was wrong, I didn’t taste it,” one sick man said. Those who are sick have complained about intense stomach pains, in addition to the inability to hold down food or drink. The Saint Denis doctor is concerned that the sick people will become dehydrated before they get better. “If they can just hold down some water, I think they will be just fine,” the doctor said.
Of course, for the sole casualty, recovery is impossible. “We are investigating the cause of the poisoning, which we believe is from moonshine that has been poisoned,” a Saint Denis policeman said. This has not been easy, as every known individual to have attended this party claims to not know where the alcohol came from. “I brought, potato chips. You ever heard of them?” one party goer said. “They are basically really thin french fries, invented by some feller in New York over 40 years ago. Very tasty and one day will be a very popular snack, but anyway, I don’t know who brought the moonshine. But my potato chips were a hit!” The deceased individual was identified as Herbert Ebel, who only recently arrived in the Five States. Authorities have requested that anybody who has information to come to the Saint Denis police station and tell the police what they know.
Gold Prospectors Receive New Years Celebration Bonus
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Lead Correspondent)
With the year at its end, Congress has authorized a mandatory bonus to gold prospectors across the nation. The decision was very abrupt; almost nobody was informed of this until miners started noticing increased pay.
The reasoning behind this temporary increased pay is likely hope that more men will join the booming gold industry, whether it be something simple, like looking for gold in rivers to large scale mining.
It must be stated again that the pay is temporary. The length of time is unknown, but a safe guess is a week or so. Cowpokes who mine for gold on a daily basis are content with the bonus, like most things in life.
Talented professional wrestler honored after unexpected death
By Adam Parvey
Professional wrestler Brodie Harper recently passed away as a result of unknown respiratory illness. While some have stated Mr. Harper was effected by consumption, this has been dismissed by his family. Wrestlers across the country have been honoring Harper and celebrating his career. Harper wrestled for a number of organizations over the years and left an impression on fans and fellow wrestlers alike. Harper was known for his impressive athleticism and intimidating aura. Despite Harper’s intimidating appearance, those who knew him said he was one of the most caring people they have ever met. He was the rare kind of many who could both provide emotional support for his fiends and provide a fierce physical force when necessary. Though Harper had been wrestling for a long time, he was just starting to leave his mark on the industry, thus leaving this world while his flame was burning brightly. Harper leaves behind a loving family consisting of a wife and two children. Though Harper’s void can never be filled, wrestlers across the country are “adopting” the Harpers as their own in a show of solidarity.
Queen Victoria bestows new honours across the British Empire
By Ivy Seager
As is the annual tradition, Queen Victoria has announced a new list of Honours across the British Empire. The British Honour system is a way of rewarding those who have made significant contributions to the British Empire or who have shown outstanding bravery. The Honours themselves are meant to specifically recognize one’s merit in service and achievement. Among those individuals bestowed with an Honour are Robert Baxter Llewyn, honoured under the Order of St. Micheal and St. George and His Highness Maharaja Prabhu Narayan Singh under the Order of the Indian Empire. Over two dozen members of the British Empire were Honoured.
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