Corrupt mayor on the run
By Wylie Frey
Former mayor Tobin Winfield is being sought for stolen bonds. As Mayor, Winfield engaged in a series of corrupt actions that increased his personal fortune that included payments for bounties not delivered, property deeds sold below market value, and hiring associates at inflated rates. As investigators closed in, Winfield stole several property deeds and fled to Thieves Landing. Authorities have stated that Winfield himself is not valuable.

“Winfield is harmless now that he no longer holds a position of power. It is likely he’ll have a hard time living in the wilds. But those deeds are valuable and we need them,” said the BHTC Bounty Hunting Liaison. Due to the recent giving away of many deeds by Winfield and the lack of proper record keeping, it is unknown which deeds were stolen. As a result, it is impossible to invalidate the stolen deeds and issue new ones. If the deeds are not recovered anybody can claim the property legally, so the bounty will only be paid upon recovery of the deeds.

Wolves in New Austin?
By Alois Burdett
A pack of wolves being led by a large alpha has been spotted in Gaptooth Ridge. Wolf sightings in the area are rare, but they do occur. This particular pack likely traveled from Hennigan’s Stead, possibly following pronghorn. For daring hunters looking to save lives, speak to Hector at Bendict Point Station. He is offering a contract for the beasts.

Second Misfit Revealed
By Jose Chavez
The notorious outlaw Jeremy J. Bentham, also known as Jeremy “Technique” Bentham, has been identified as a member of the mysterious “brotherhood of outlaws” The Misfits of the West by detective Tom Watson of the Pinkerton Detective Agency, assigned to track down this dangerous gang.

As some of our old time readers will remember, Jeremy is the son of the legendary outlaw James “Two Guns” Bentham. We have obtained new information about this father and son duo that used to used to terrorize the border states.

It has been reported that famous outlaw James Bentham gave up the outlaw life and disappeared around the early 1870’s before reappearing in the late 1880’s with his new partner in crime known as the “Technique Kid” for his unmatched skills with guns from a very early age and his almost manic habit to spin his guns nonstop.

What we now know from multiple sources is that James tried to live a normal, law abiding, life after he got married to a yet unidentified woman and had a son, Jeremy, in Valentie. People that knew him have confirmed that the family moved to the now abandoned town of Colter, where James used to work as a miner until the deadly blizzard of ’84 which cost the life of his wife. After the tragedy, James and his son moved to Strawberry for a few years, until his identity was discovered and disappeared again; reappearing with his son as two of the most dangerous outlaws in New Austin, where their habit of lynching rival outlaws became infamous.

After James body was found by the Pinkerton detectives tracking him, shot dead but still holding his famous guns, his son Jeremy disappeared again from the public eye; although it is wildly believed that it was him who stole his father’s body from the law to give him a proper burial in an unknown location.

Detective Watson has informed us that the hangings of some of the senior members of the Owlhoot Family and other known outlaws, widely attributed to the mysterious Misfits of the West, are consistent with previous lynchings committed by Jeremy; and that an anonymous witness has identified a man going by the name of “Tech”, who fits Jeremy’s description, fighting alongside the leader of the Misfits, known only a “Mister T” (whose likeness was revealed by this newspaper last week) during an apparently legal shooting in Tumbleweed, which claimed the lives of 4 men. We’ll release more information about the shooting next week as we interview the witness ourselves. 

Cowpoke ambushed on way to fishing spot
By Jane Duran
A cowpoke with a, “hankering for some succulent Salmon,” was ambushed near O’Creagh’s Run. As he was riding his horse when it got agitated. As he calmed her down the shooting started. “I suppose they didn’t expect me to be good with a gun,” the cowpoke said as he twirled his revolver. He put down the ambushers, looted them, and promptly went fishing as he intended. “Good ol’ Hamish and myself had quite a meal.”

While the Grizzlies are most known for the wild life and untamed land, one must remember that such land also draws criminals. Far away from authorities, unsavory folks can take advantage of well meaning cowpoke and flee long before the law arrives. Traveling in Ambarino is a dangerous activity and being armed and ready often means the difference between life and death.

Manzanita Post assaulted in supplies raid
By Nick McCrary
A posse of cowpokes attacked Manzanita Post and took off with a large amount of supplies. The residents had just received the supplies when the posse showed up. The attacking cowpokes immediately started firing on the guards while the residents hid in the house. The firefight was over in a matter of minutes. The posse made off with four bags of supplies.

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Reinforcements pursued the posse south into the heavy forest. The pursuers nearly caught the posse until a grizzly bear seemingly came out of nowhere. The massive bear slashed at the posse member in the rear, taking him off his horse. The pursuers’ horses were spooked and so they ended the chase. They returned later to recover the bag. The mauled attacker provided food for Tall Trees’ scavengers.

Bounty hunter turned fugitive
By Nick McCrary
A cowpoke named Angela Hawthorne has gone from hunter to hunted over a misunderstanding. After chasing down a bounty, Hawthorne had to kill them. As the bounty was for “dead or alive” she did not think it was an issue. However, as she brought the bounty into town, a deputy made the assumption that Hawthorne as a murderer and that her bounty was her victim. Without waiting for a moment to clarify the situation, the deputy started firing. Hawthorne had to defend herself which left the attacking lawman dead as well as many others. She was forced to flee south into New Austin, though some believe she may have attempted to cross the border into Mexico. It was not until after Hawthorne left that deputies realized the “victim” was wanted man Carl Jennings.

“It’s a sticky situation. Our guy shot first and he shouldn’t have, but lots of folks are dead now. We can’t jest let that go,” said the Blackwater Sheriff. Authorities have advised to avoid Angela Hawthorne if she is spotted unless you are prepared to shoot back. It is believed that any attempt to clarify the situation will likely only make it worse. “We considered reissuing the bounty as ‘alive only’ but, well we already put the posters out.”

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River boat wreck in Van Horn leads to major theft
By Van R. Seldon
A river boat carrying hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of items wrecked near Van Horn. The wreck occurred during a particularly dark and foggy night. The boat was carrying the items to Saint Denis for a special display. Initially, it was believed that the wreck was an accident as a result of a problem with the lighthouse. However, it was discovered that the lighthouse was not only disabled, but fire was lit in the hills to mimic the lighthouse in the fog.

Investigators now believe that this was a set up. The boat captain likely saw the fire and assumed it was the lighthouse, causing them to move the boat closer to shore until the boat crashed near the lighthouse. Unfortunately, investigators are not sure what was stolen by those who set the wreck up and what was stolen by Van Horn residents taking advantage of the situation. Not everyone took to greed, however. A few residents worked to rescue those trapped in the boat or barely managing to stay afloat in the cold water. If anyone has any information, they are encouraged to contact the Van Horn Sheriff Station.

Leviticus Cornwall involved in illegal dealings?
By Emery Cosberry
For many, the question whether Mr. Leviticus Cornwall has his hands in illegal activities or not, is as obvious as the answers to the question is water wet? But some are accusing Mr. Cornwall not just of the sophisticated illegal dealings common among businessmen but of providing safe haven to common thugs and miscreants. Many bounty hunters have tracked their targets to Cornwall Kerosene & Tar in the Heartland Oil Fields. Mr. Cornwall himself did not respond, however the foreman of the facility, a man called Danbury, had this to say, “We cannot keep every armed miscreant off of our facility. Quite frankly, you should be questioning why so many outlaws are roaming the Five States. The state of New Hanover needs to take action to secure our protection.”

“Ain’t no hostile takeover from what I’ve seen,” said a bounty hunter in Valentine. “Targets I tracked there looked cozy with the guards.” Whatever the truth, it seems many of those on the run from the law have taken refuge behind Mr. Cornwall’s considerable forces. If Mr. Cornwall is complicit, one wonders how long he will be willing to supply guards to protect common thugs. If he is not, one wonders when the guards will take a shoot first policy.

Philip Carlier captured after two years!
By Aloysius Levron
Embezzler and murderer Philip Carlier was brought into the Saint Denis police department this week. His capture ends a two year search for a relatively insignificant criminal. Found in the swamps by the bounty hunter Nathaniel Cross, Mr. Carlier nearly escaped. “Embarrassingly, I took too long to identify the target and he threw something into a pot. Whatever came out caused me to hallucinate. Giant owls, smaller wolves, and a mad man,” Mr. Cross said. After the drug wore off, Cross retreated and returned with help.

“I don’t work in the bayou often, so I realized I was out of my depth here,” Cross admitted. The aid he sought was from Chickasaw tracker Akanowa. With her knowledge of the bayou, the pair tracked down Mr. Carlier after taking down several Night Folk and their pet alligators. You read that right, pet alligators. It was noted that alligators seemed docile around the Night Folk and attacked the bounty hunters. “Made stealth a bit difficult,” Cross stated.

Upon locating Mr. Carlier, Akanowa made the grab. “He’s… wary of the bayou,” Akanowa said with a smile, as if there were a bit more to that wariness. Mr. Cross merely shrugged. Carlier screamed that he was not, in fact, Philip Carlier. He claimed to have met Mr. Carlier and that he had died soon after. “He was positively identified and I’ve been paid,” Cross said of Mr. Carlier’s claim. “His actions broke him. Broke his mind. Perhaps he did die, in a manner of speaking.” Akanowa said somberly. The Saint Denis police are eager to put this case behind them, so too are Mr. Cross and Akanowa ready to move forward. “Pardon me, I do believe I owe the lady a meal,” Cross said as he tipped his hat and left the police station Akanowa.

Smoking Gun in Lemoyne?
By Ella Q. Asken
A man out fishing for crayfish got more than he bargained for when he reached into the murky swamp water and grabbed another hand. “I was startled, sure. But this the bayou. Gotta be ready for anything,” he said. Curiously, the hand was bound to another. I took a look at this morbid finding and it seemed quite likely these hands belonged to the same person. These hands bound together by reinforced rope, but torn apart from the rest of the body.

“Alligators,” said the fisherman. He pointed to the tears in the flesh. “Probably a few of em, ripped the poor soul apart. Hands only escaped cuz they got stuck in my trap.” The hands were thin, probably belonging to a woman. That would be a first, if this was the Smoking Gun. Unfortunately, no more information could be gained from the bound hands and the Saint Denis Police Department was not particularly interested. Be wary residents of Lemoyne, a serial killer may be among you.

13 killed in explosion at California gunpowder company
By Frederick Vannesse
Tragedy in California this week. The California Powder Works company has suffered from a disastrious accident that has left 13 dead and more than two dozen others wounded. The facility housed employees and even included a school for employees’ children to attend. The fire started in the evening and quickly spread.

The explosions rocked the city of Saint Cross. An old civil war veteran said he thought he was back in the war, “It was the time of my life… those few moments. Felt the rush without the danger…” the old many said, completely oblivious to the harm the explosions had caused. The fire spread to the employee dormitories, where many had already laid down to rest after a day of hard work. Residents of Saint Cross banded together and bravely ran into danger to help put out the fire. Through their efforts, greater damage was prevented by keeping the fire away from the powder magazines closest to Saint Cross. Investigators believe had those magazines caught fire the entire city would have been set ablaze.

Most employees have evacuated, a few have remained to assist in moving the remaining powder. The school and other amenities on the site are also closed. Residents of Saint Cross are calling for the facility to remain closed, stating that it is obvious that the facility poses a significant danger to the the city.

Australian colonies begin work on constitution
By Ivy Seager
Australia is a curious place. Many focus on its founding as a British prison colony, however, that ignores the existence of native peoples. It is almost as if they wish you to think Australian history starts with prison colonies. This week a great step to shake off the colonial past was taken as Australian colonies met to begin forming a constitution. While they are a long way yet from having a final document, these first steps are critical and show that Australia is ready to embrace its own destiny.

This new draft of their constitution followed the push for federalism that defined their previous attempt at writing a constitution. Though the colonies have demanded that any federal government formed be responsible and ultimately, beholden to the people. Federalist government is difficult to navigate, as the history of the United States can attest. Having coming off the Civil War, the states in the U.S. have had to grapple with some of their power being absorbed by the national government. Perhaps the Australians will have learned from the American experiment and solve this federalism dilemma.

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