Cowpokes congregate at MacFarlane’s Ranch to catch the train
By Wylie Frey
The MacFarlane family recently hired more gunslingers to protect the property after several thefts. That extra security was on edge this week when several cowpokes arrived at MacFarlane’ Ranch to catch the train. “I’m not sure what it is, but the train seems to never arrive at most places,” explained a cowpoke I spoke to. Others backed up this claim, many stating that despite being at the station at the appropriate time, trains never seem to arrive at most stations.

“Sometimes I can find a train in Saint Denis, or Flatneck Station,” explained a refined lady, “But MacFarlane’s Ranch is the only place I can always find a train.” “It is odd,” said Maxwell Langley “but not for the reasons most think. I mean, why did the Gods of Rocks and Stars decided to make the train appear here of all places?” While I, and others, were unsure of what Mr. Langley meant, it was indeed true that the train always seemed to arrive at MacFarlane’s Ranch. I remained at the ranch for several hours and saw the train go by several times, though always in the same direction…

Man found dead in Gaptooth Ridge
By Alois Burditt
An unidentified man was found dead near the Sea of Coronado. Based on how far the man was found from the cliff from which he fell, it is likely the man was pushed. “His weapon was still in its holster, so likely he didn’t see the killer coming or it was someone he trusted,” said a New Austin Ranger. Authorities suspect that the victim was sitting the cliff enjoying the scenery, “until he became an unpleasant part of it.” The New Austin Rangers are requesting that anyone with information contact their local sheriff.

Woman seeking treasure near Lake Isabella found dead, floating beneath the ice
By Caylen V. Hornby
Rossie Mamuret made a short, but significant, impact on the town of Valentine early this week, days before she was found dead in Ambarino. Folks in Valentine said Miss Mamuret was a lively woman claiming she had a treasure map that would make her rich. While patrons at Smithfield’s Saloon warned her not to brag about such things, she seemed not to have much care. “She bought everyone several rounds,” said a patron, “for a woman eager to become rich she sure seemed rich already!” Indeed, Miss Mamuret came from a wealthy family and had a college education. However, those who knew her said such a life was not for her. “It’s not that she didn’t like having money, it’s that she wanted to earn it herself,” said her friend Betsy.

Nobody is certain how Miss Mamuret came to be in possession of the treasure map, but it is known that the next morning she rode out of Valentine alone toward Lake Isabella. A local fisherman who enjoys fishing in the icy lake found Miss Mamuret’s body floating beneath the ice days later. “I was shocked, a bit. But to be honest it happens more often than you think,” the fisherman said. He managed to break through the ice and pull her body out. In her hand she clutched the treasure map. “I found the treasure, didn’t want it to go to waste, you see” the fisherman admitted, “I found some gold nuggets, 67 dollars, and a health tonic!”

Birdwatchers head to “Pelican Island” to view peculiar bird
By Nick McCrary
The Five States Bird Watcher’s Society is planning their first trip this coming week. They are headed to West Elizabeth, south of Blackwater, to a place unofficially called Pelican Island. “We chose this place because the pelican is a truly exotic bird but still relatively easy to find,” explained Pearl Kemper, the president of the Bird Watcher’s Society. “Along with pelicans, we expect to find cranes as well as sparrows, blue jays, songbirds, and robins.” Miss Kemper and the Five States Bird Watcher’s Society invite cowpokes from across the region to take pictures of birds found on and near Pelican Island. We at the Herald support this effort and ask that you send any pictures taken during these bird watching expeditions to the Herald, so they can be shared with the world next week!

Random campfire in Big Valley draws many visitors
By Daisy Fairman
While riding through Big Valley, headed back to Strawberry, I came across the most curious sight. Several cowpokes were crowded around a campfire, sharing stories and having a few drinks. As I approached, it became quickly apparent that these folks were all strangers themselves, yet were having a good time all the same. I spoke to a gentleman who had been there for quite some time, who explained that, “the first guy here stumbled upon this unattended fire, said he stoked it back to life and started cooking. The smell drew me and some other fellers. I had trouble getting my own camp set up so I figured this campfire was as good as any.” Another cowpoke I spoke said he was simply cold and wanted a warm place to relax and stretch out after a long day of riding.

Whatever their motivation for coming, every person there was friendly and accommodating. I became fascinated at the experience, shocked that the violence that pervades the Five States seemed to disappear for those moments. Eventually the fire went out and nobody tried to keep it going. Everyone rode their own way into the cool Big Valley night.

Campers in Roanoke Ridge attacked, barely survived
By Van R. Seldon
Another week and another story that may scare off would be campers in the Five States. Mannington Stedman and his brother and his brother’s wife had come to the Five States to enjoy an extended vacation. Mr. Stedman, being an experienced woodsman, decided to join the recently married couple to ensure they would be able to survive the wilds of the Five States. “I love my little brother, but he is a bit soft, you understand?” said Mr. Stedman. However, Mr. Stedman’s experience was put to the test when the trio was attacked by the Murfree Brood. “The first one walked straight toward our camp and started running toward us waving an ax over his head,” said Mr. Stedman, who shot the approaching man in the chest.

Other members of the gang descended upon the camp at that point. “They had no guns, but they also had no fear,” said Mr. Stedman, “which is more than I can say for my little brother.” The younger Stedman froze in fear, holding a rifle but not using. His wife, however, was in no such state of shock and took the rifle from him and began shooting. “She wasn’t too accurate, but with fellers running straight at us she didn’t need to be,” Mr. Stedman said. Before they were overwhelmed, passing cowpokes heard the gunfire and rushed to the family’s aid. All three survived the ordeal.

Fort Brennand taken over by Lemoyne Raiders
By Emery Cosberry
Fort Brennand is a long ways from its glory days. In 1863 it was a Union fort during the Civil War. Confederate forces led a massive assault during the war which saw the Union soldiers stationed there retreat. The fort was never taken back by the Union during the war. Of course, when the war ended the Confederacy officially disbanded, but pockets of Confederates across the Southern United States attempted to act like the Civil War never ended. Some former Confederate troops tried to maintain their hold on Fort Brennand. Cut off from supplies, however, the former Confederates had a rough go of maintaining the fort and eventually were forced to abandoned the fort when federal authorities began to apply pressure on Southerners still fighting the Civil War as part of the Reconstruction project.

Decades ago, however, Reconstruction was abandoned and those still fighting former Confederates came out of hiding. Calling themselves the Lemyone Raiders, these ex-Confederates and Confederate sympathizers have retaken Fort Brennand. Local authorities have used bounty hunters and freelance gunslingers to push the Raiders out of the fort, only to have them return soon after. It is rumored that the Lemoyne Raiders holding the fort are being led by Lindsey Wofford, though he has not been spotted at the fort when it has been cleared out. Wofford is a former Confederate soldier and a wanted man in Lemoyne, with a $100 bounty on his head.

Shootout in Chinatown! Smoking Gun shot!
By Ela Q. Asken
Just as peace seems to come to Saint Denis, it is violently disrupted. A shootout occurred in Chinatown that was believed to have stemmed from an illegal poker game. Authorities were pursuing the case believing the illegal poker game was central to the shootout. The shootout did, in fact, start at an illegal poker game. A wealthy man believed to run the biggest opium den and brothel in Saint Denis was the first killed. A man playing poker, who was described as a well dressed man wearing a flat cap, pulled out a pistol and shot the wealthy man in the head. The shooter then promptly made his exit according to witnesses, where he was forced to shoot and kill a few of the deceased man’s guards. Nobody else at the game was shot and the only people killed besides the wealthy man were those necessary for the killer’s escape. Seems like a professional job and I happen to be aware of a professional killer who dresses well and wears a flat cap: the Smoking Gun.

What is also different in this case is that the Smoking Gun was shot! One of the guards managed to shoot the Smoking Gun, though where he was shot was initially unclear. Some witnesses believed his was shot in the stomach as he was hunched over with an arm across his stomach as he ran from the scene. However, a witness who was at the game said the Smoking Gun was shot in the arm. Wherever he was shot, the Smoking Gun bled enough to leave a trail of blood that led to the Saint Denis doctor’s office. The Dr. Joseph R. Barnes said the man held a gun in one arm and forced him out. “He favored his other arm, so he was almost certainly shot in the arm,” confirmed Dr. Barnes. The blood trail stopped at the doctor’s office. “Likely tied a tourniquet and fled,” said Dr. Barnes. Authorities are watching for men leaving both the city of Saint Denis and the state of Lemoyne who were shot in the arm while also conducing a sweeping search of the city in case he is hiding out.

Man robbed on Flat Iron Lake
By Mathilde Orry
A man named Simon Haden was enjoying an afternoon on Flat Iron Lake just west of Rhodes when he noticed something odd. “A feller was swimming towards me,” Haden said. “I figured he may have needed some help so I let him climb on.” However, the man immediately pulled a gun out, forcing Haden to jump out of the boat and into the water. “Come to think of it, that wasn’t a smart move,” Haden admitted. “I must have been an easy target swimming out on the lake like that.” Fortunately for Haden, it is likely his attacker’s gun was not functioning after a swim in the lake. The attacker was last seen headed toward the islands just the coast.

Has a new progressive era begun?
By Adam Parvey
As the U.S. engages in a war with a foreign power and domestic groups war with each other over equal rights, political observers believe we may be entering a new era of progressive politics. For decades the standard operating procedure was for political machines run by powerful men to select candidates of their choosing to be supported, who would then be elected. Using a combination of money and gifts, political bosses have, “run democratic governments like mini-despots,” according to political activists. The beginning of this new so called progressive era is marked by activists fighting against corruption and trying to increase democracy through directly voting on laws.

Hostilities between the U.S. and Spain end in Cuba
By Humphrey Harker
Spain has officially pulled out of Cuba, though the war officially continues. On most islands in the region Spain has withdrawn completely or into single cities as U.S. forces continue their aggressive push. Spain never had a strong footing in the war, which many believe was the result of Spain thinking war was unlikely. Spain has maintained that they were not involved in the sinking of the USS Lewiston, the catalyst of the war, suggesting it was likely an accident. An end to the war has seemed likely for several weeks now as Spain continues to withdraw. With hostilities ending in Cuba, it is almost certain the official end of the war is coming.

Previous Issue

Next Issue