Man assassinated in Rio Bravo
By Alois Burditt
A bounty hunter was assassinated this week. The man, named Rupert, was known to work exclusively in the state of New Austin. He had last been seen picking up a bounty poster in Tumbleweed. “Good man. Silent and business like. Always got the job done,” said Sheriff Freeman of the late Rupert. Rupert was found dead with a gunshot in his forehead. His bounty wagon had been broken into. It is believed that Rupert had made camp for a moment when the assassin, or assassins perhaps, struck. Rupert had not fired a single shot, indicating he was caught unawares and probably asleep at the time.

The wagon was without a horse and the lock broken, leaving authorities to believe this was a successful break out. The bounty Rupert had last taken was for a woman named Helen Lane, who was wanted for murder. Lane was brought in by bounty hunter James Langton before word of Rupert’s death was reported.

Attack on wilderness camp successfully repelled
By Caylen V. Hornby
A cowpoke who set their camp near Cattail Pond nearly had their goods stolen. “It’s a nice place to camp and fish. I left for a moment to take care of business in Valentine,” said the cowpoke. “I came out of the store and my dog was there barking and I knew something was wrong.” With no time to wait, the cowpoke rode off while their friend was still in the gun store. “I rode to camp real quick once I realized something was wrong,” said their friend. By the time the cowpoke arrived, their business partner was taking cover and taking shots at the attackers.

“No way he could have drove them back alone, but he held them off long enough for us to arrive,” said the cowpoke. The attackers were caught off guard at the cowpoke’s arrival. By the time they reorientated themselves to face their new enemy, the cowpoke’s friend caught up and entered the fight. The two cowpokes and their business partner fought the attackers off and the dog was rewarded with a raw steak.

Town of Strawberry succumbs to drunken stupor despite Mayor’s best efforts
By Daisy Fairman
Despite the best efforts of Mayor Nicholas Timmins, the town of Strawberry descended into a town wide drunken stupor this week. The sheriff and his deputies were once again no help in enforcing Mayor Timmins’ orders and the alcohol flowed into the town so fast Timmins could not stop it. Three federal revenue agents were staying in Strawberry at the time, however they too were overwhelmed. With just the three agents and Mayor Timmins, they had no hope of stopping a town full of armed drunk folk from getting more drunk or being less armed.

“We always enforce the law,” said a revenue agent staying in Strawberry, “However we are federal agents and can only enforce federal law. This could be completely legal, fully taxed, alcohol.” Even as the words came out of the agents mouth, he seemed unconvinced. The town partied late, not ending until the sun had come back up.

The Smoking Gun arrives in New Hanover
By Ela Q. Asken
A man named Pearson Whitlock was found dead near Valentine. His body was found at the bottom of a cliff. His arms and legs were bound by reinforced rope. A bullet hole through in his head. High above on the cliff from which Mr. Whitlock fell, a cigarette filter lies on the ground. A filter used for hand rolled cigarettes. The Smoking Gun is in New Hanover.

When I was first notified of this case via telegram, I knew it was the Smoking Gun. But before I left to investigate, I did a bit of research into the man known as Pearson Whitlock. My contact in New Hanover told me that Mr. Whitlock owned property in the Heartlands. However, he had taken out loans using those deeds as collateral. There is no way to know whether Mr. Whitlock was in good standing concerning his debt, however, all signs indicate things were not well. Mr. Whitlock had not been making money and so is unlikely to have paid off his debt. The kind of man the Smoking Gun targets.

I questioned residents in Valentine to see if anyone new had been by the town. “Are you kidding?” asked the gunsmith, “we have been getting a ton of visitors this holiday season!” Others I spoke to had similar responses, except for the general store clerk. “You’re that newspaper girl, right? Asken?” the shopkeep asked. Newspaper woman, I informed him before he handed me a pack of premium cigarettes. “A man passed through a couple days ago. Handed me a copy of your paper with your name circled. Said he wanted to give you a pack of cigarettes.” The clerk described the man as “dapper” but said he did not pay much attention beyond that because he was quite busy that day. The curious thing is that the mysterious man, who was no doubt the Smoking Gun, did not buy the cigarettes there but paid the clerk to give me a pack he had on his person.

In the pack I found a cigarette card, but I only really thought about it after I learned that the Smoking Gun specifically gave me this pack. The card was of Blackwater. The place where the Smoking Gun started his killing spree in the Five States. So, I will return to Blackwater. But a word of warning to my dear readers, the Smoking Gun may already be there.

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Explosions in Lagras startle Lemoyne residents
By Aloysius Levron
Lagras, Lemoyne was rocked by a series of explosions this week. The expolosions were heard in Saint Denis and as far as Rhodes. Residents of the region shrugged off the explosions. “Just a little celebrating for the new year, yeah?” said one Lagras resident. This explanation pacified local authorities, who claimed it is a common occurrence this time of year. “Folks mostly live a boring life. An explosion or two at the end of the year helps them forget how boring their life is,” said a Saint Denis policeman.

Federal authorities, however, are not buying that story. “It is well known that this swamp hides moonshiners. Make no mistake that no swamp is too murky to block the sight of the law,” said Revenue Agent Reid Hixon. According to Hixon, the explosions were the result of a war between rival moonshiners. “Moonshiners are evil people. Instead of competing on quality, price, and through government monopolies like a real capitalist,” said Agent Hixon, ” they compete by sabotaging each other.” No injuries were reported following the explosions, however Hixon says those injured during illicit activities are unlikely to report their injuries. Many Lagras residents are unaccounted for, however, they may still be returning from their holiday trips.

Member of prominent family accused of murder
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Freelancer)
Myra Rose Hart, daughter of Fredrick and Audrey Hart, is strongly suspected in the murder of Frank Newbarr, wealthy citizen of St Denis. Newbarr, who was well known in the community as a friend of Lillian Powell, was found dead yesterday in Scarlett Meadows. He was found motionless in his carriage.  Newbarr had been robbed of his belongings and likely killed with a shotgun or similar weapon. The driver who had accompanied Newbarr on countless trips to Rhodes was found dead, still clutching the reigns. His horse has also been cruelly put down. Local farmer, Uriah Sinclair, by complete chance, witnessed the event while hunting deer. 

“I was out looking for deer; you know how rare they can be this time of year when I saw movement. But it wasn’t animals, at least in appearance. It was a woman wearing a funny-looking hat; she was dressed all in black besides red hair and red cheeks. She stepped in front and stopped the vehicle before quickly shooting the driver, then the horse. She flung open the door, and I heard a much louder gunshot. I ran away soon after, praying to our lord she wouldn’t find me. It’s a hell of a thing seeing a woman act like that. Whoever she is, she’s a disgrace to her gender, a real daughter of Lilith.” 

Hart, age 20, has cut forth a wide swath of violence over the past few months since breaking out of prison. She has been accused of almost every crime under God’s green Earth.  Much to the horror of her powerful family. The Hart’s are a wealthy, well-respected family that has lived in Savannah, Georgia, for over a century. What caused the scarlet haired daughter to turn violent is anyone’s guess. A man interviewed in Rhodes claimed the rising suffragette movement has motivated women to take over and eliminate the stronger sex, adding that people like Hart are an inevitable result of the misguided belief in women’s rights. Whatever the cause may be, we sadly won’t likely see the end of Myra Hart anytime soon.

New Year’s Wedding in Saint Denis
By Emeline Vickroy
Two of the top members of The Blacktooth Gang married in St. Denis to ring in the New Year. The gang’s leader, James Rivers married one of the gang’s enforcers, Elizabeth Brooks. There ceremony took place in a gazebo behind a mansion which was followed by a reception a few doors down.

The wedding was preceded by a shootout with the police near the police station, some heavy drinking in a local saloon, a poker game, another shootout with some other outlaws in town and finally some drinking and dancing at a moonshine shack hidden away near Blackwater.

“It’s not a wedding unless someone gets shot” said TJ, one of the guests at the wedding and a new recruit to the gang; the events leading up to the wedding certainly qualified!

The snow provided an already beautiful location with an even better backdrop. Annabeth Waters was the Maid of Honor and was able to provide insight to everyone in attendance why the couple was a perfect match for each other. William “Buckshot Bill” Tomlin, the best man, gave such a heartfelt speech that there was hardly a dry eye in the crowd.

While the events following the wedding remain a mystery, even for the members of the gang, the working theory according to everyone in attendance is that there was a trip to what is known as the “stabbin’ cabin” before the new couple embarked upon their much deserved honeymoon.

U.S. moves closer to war
By Frederick Vannesse
Congress will officially consider a bill to declare war on Spain, following pressure from the President and others who believe Spain attacked the U.S.S. Lewiston. Spain continues to deny the attack and has issued a warning, stating that while they do not wish to go to war they will defend themselves from American aggression. Those calling for war are not the only voices being heard however. Several Members of Congress have expressed concern and doubt. They are asking for a third party to verify the government’s findings. However, their voice is a small one and is being drowned out by those eager for war. The President has already issued orders to move ships around Cuba in preparation of a declaration of war from Congress.

The Qajar Dynasty welcomes new heir
By Ivy Seager
Mohammad Ali Shah Qajar of the Qajar Dynasty has welcomed a new son, named Ahmad Shah Qajar. The new royal is welcomed at a time when the monarchy has come under criticism. Persians have criticized the monarchy for selling land and other property to foreigners. Protesters have called for the end of not only the Qajar Dynasty, but of the monarchy altogether. Reformists are asking for the monarchy to be replaced with a republic. Despite these tense times, Mohammad Ali Shah welcomed his son with a lavish party.

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