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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.
Representative Daniel Houser announcers his retirement from Congress
By Lucien Privett
News this week that Rep. Houser was retiring from office was met with mixed reactions. Some in the Five States have supported Houser since 1869, when he first entered the public arena after moving here from London. Houser’s rise in the United States House of Representatives was unexpected, given his British nationality. However, Rep. Houser showed a keen insight into American life, particularly understanding the life of those who lived in urbanizing areas. Some have complained that Houser has not done much lately, citing lack of action over declining animal populations and lack of funding resulting in bounty hunters not being paid. Houser’s supporters counter that Houser is but one man in a Congress of self interested men.
These problems aside, the Five States is currently prospering. Its population has never been higher and cowpokes have never had so many opportunities to make money. “It’s easy to focus on the bad, you know? But we should remember what Rep. Houser did for the Five States despite only representing one of them!” said one supporter. Rep. Houser’s brother, Sam, continues to serve in the House and has promised to continue his brother’s legacy as well as a response to the declining animal populations, bounty hunters not being paid, and promised a task force that will travel the Five States to exterminate nuisance pest and bugs. However, for now, both Housers are focused on the end of an era and what comes next as they continue on separate paths.
Two killed by bounty hunters chasing target at Benedict Station
By Alois Burditt
A gunfight left two innocent men killed this week. Two cowpokes who turned out to be bounty hunters rode into Benedict Station apparently looking for their target. One of the hunters bumped into a man leaning against the wall, causing the man to suddenly take off running. “I heard the other one yell, ‘hey stupid that’s the guy we’re after!’ before running after him,” said a witness. The bounty target neared a horse, which prompted one of the bounty hunters to open fire. The target was hit in the shoulder, however in the shootout two innocent bystanders were killed. The target never fired a shot.
The bounty hunters were paid for the live bounty, however they were immediately arrested for murder. The bounty hunters protested their arrest and nearly got into a gunfight with Tumbleweed lawmen. However, remembering they just got paid, they were able to pay off their bounty and fees. The two cowpokes left Tumbleweed in a hurry amidst rumors of friends and family of the victims rounding up a posse.
Surveyors continue eyeing Plainview, despite frequent attacks
Wylie Frey
The Plainview site in New Austin has been said to be a rich in oil. However, the location is in the middle of an inhospitable region. Unable to work the land and graze cattle, the workers are forced to purchase goods and have them delivered. But this has its own risks. Outlaws respond to the difficult New Austin life by attacking others and stealing their goods. Every delivery of goods must therefore come with an armed escort. This is to say nothing of the direct attacks on the site itself. Last week the site suffered two attacks, one of which led to a man and his posse of outlaws holing up in the area. The property owners are confident that in time, the site will be profitable despite the set backs. In the future they plan to hire more guards but in the meantime, have hired private security and bounty hunters to clear out the site as needed.
Skeletal remains unearthed near Donner Falls
By Jane Duran
Just over 50 years ago, a large group of pioneers ran into some trouble in the Grizzlies. The Donner-Reed party misjudged how thick winter had set. Unable to get across the frozen Dakota River and snowed in on nearly all sides, the Donner-Reed party was forced to split up. The Donner Family made camp near what is now known as Donner Falls. Several of the other families made it past this point, however the Donner’s held back, having trouble getting their wagons over the partially frozen river. A member of the party, James Reed, had been banished from the group earlier in the journey. In a twist of fate, Mr. Reed survived. Traveling alone, he cut a path south, eventually finding Fort Wallace. Mr. Reed was provided food and sanctuary while he regained his strength. Despite being kicked from the group, Mr. Reed made several attempts to rescue the stranded Donner-Reed party. One such attempt was aided by the army at Fort Wallace, but only found a few pioneers who had be separated from the larger party.
Through several rescue attempts, other members of the party were found. The Donner children were rescued, but their parents were not. The story became quite popular in its day due to the last survivor being found with a pot of human flesh. An unknown number of party members, at least one, began eating human flesh in order to survive. It is unknown to this day if the victims were murdered, or simply died and were eaten out of desperation. But many have wondered what they might do if they were in a similar desperate situation. The finding of the skeletal remains is the first such finding in the area. Originally reported by a pair of campers, it has been determined that the remains are old enough to be of the Donner-Reed party. An investigation has begun to see if anything else can be uncovered.
Wagon theft near Riggs Station may signal are new posse of outlaws terrorizing the Five States
By Daisy Fairman
A posse calling themselves the Renegades struck a trader and their guards in route to deliver goods to a buyer. The attackers were well organized, taking out the wagon driver at the very beginning of their assault. The defenders attempted to fight back, but were caught off guard. “It happened so quick my fellows were down before we knew we were under attack. I got a few shots off before I got hit,” said one of the surviving defenders. One of the attackers boarded the wagon and rode off while a few of the attackers hung back holding the remaining defenders back. Eventually the attackers rode off to catch up with the wagon, but not before one of them announced to the remaining survivor, “You were just robbed by the Renegades.”
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Duck hunter survives standoff with two strangers
By Nick McCrary
A cowpoke riding along the Upper Montana River came across two strangers, resulting in a several minute stand off. “I was hunting ducks when I saw them,” the cowpoke said. The strangers took notice and stopped what they were doing. “I waved, one of them tipped their hat back.” However, the cowpoke kept his hands near his gun belt. Keeping an eye on the strangers meant the cowpoke was unable to take advantage of a flock of ducks flying overhead. “I needed the animal fat and had been challenged to kill five ducks,” the cowpoke shrugged as he retold his story. Long after the ducks had flown out of sight the two strangers carried on. The cowpoke resumed his duck hunting, which turned out to be unsuccessful. “I didn’t see many other ducks and missed the ones I saw. I could have sworn I saw a dog laughing at me, but dogs don’t laugh, right?”
New Music Type Popular in Five State Area
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Freelancer)
For generations, music across the United States has been defined by many types of music. Traditional ballads that stretch across the generations. Grand classical instruments like the piano and the harpsichord. Music itself is often seen as entertainment for the rich and wealthy, but as we speak, a new type of music is flourishing in rural areas. Its sound cannot be described as grand but rather relatable. It’s not being heard in New York or Saint Louis but places like East Tennessee and Georgia. It took its time, but this music has reached the Five State Area, and residents are enthralled with it. Countless cowpokes talk about the charm in how pure the music is. All you need is a heartbreaking tale of lost love and just a few instruments like the fiddle and the banjo. The story of a prostituted nicknamed Pretty Polly, murdered in Valentine years ago, has already become a staple song of this genre.
Bands like the Possum Hunters play in saloons and bars, often upstaging the usual piano players. Out east, the genre seems to already have a few notable musicians. In Atlanta, an old Georgia boy by the name of Fiddlin John has already made a name for himself playing Civil War era tunes, along with newly written songs like one about an infamous Tennessee bank robbery. Local businessmen are already wondering if his songs would do well if recorded in the same way opera is recorded for the phonograph. In the mountains of Virginia lives a young woman who sings so softly a song simply titled, “I’ll Twine ‘Mid the Ringlets.” Others will likely soon follow in their footsteps.
Some places in the south are suspicious of the new music and aren’t very accepting. Nashville Tennessee thinks the music is too simple for such a sophisticated city. Saint-Denis is already being taken over by Ragtime and doesn’t have any interest in this new music for now. The name of this new genre is still unclear. Since many of its musicians come from poor areas, some are thinking it should be called hillbilly music. The name may allude us for now, but the essence is obvious for all to see. A banjo player currently in Strawberry by the name of Harlan had this to say about the music.
“Call it hillbilly music, call it western music. It doesn’t matter; it’s the soul of America dispensed through earthly possessions. Its music straight from the heartland, from the country. All it is, is three chords and the truth.”
The Smoking Gun kills a mine manager in Annesburg
By Ela Q. Asken
Fenton Roberts, a long time mine manager in Annesburg, was found dead this week by his workers. The man was generally well liked, however there was a rumor that he was skimming payroll meant for workers. My investigations substantiated the rumors, which at first glance may implicate one of the workers as the killer. Mr. Roberts had gone into debt and was skimming his workers’ pay to pay his debt down. However, Mr. Roberts continued his downward spiral.
Mr. Roberts had been found dead with a single gunshot in the back of his head. Nobody witnessed the murder however, two workers did see a well dressed man walking through the mine that day. “Rich fellers walk through sometimes. I assumed he was just a stakeholder inspecting his investment,” said a worker. The Smoking Gun has been described as being a well dressed man. Outside of the mine, among a pile of cigarette butts was a cigarette butt from a hand rolled cigarette. It was easy to spot, as it was the only one not covered in coal dust.
My investigation saved the workers, who were nearly all fired from their position by their employer. “I’m glad someone got to the bottom of it, but you gotta understand right? Can’t have workers that may have killed a boss, you know?” said mine owner Archibald Jameson. Unfortunately, my investigation has not gotten me any closer to catching the Smoking Gun.
Man found hogtied; victim of theft over pristine buck carcass
By Emery Cosberry
A couple of ranch hands out for a ride came across a man hogtied and struggling on the ground. Bruisesformed around his wrist by the time he was found. The man said he had found a pristine white-tail buck. “It was the kind of animal you dream of these days,” said the cowpoke. He chased the buck a little ways on horseback before taking lining up his shot. “I loaded the buck onto my horse and rode off to camp, my business partner is real good and turning perfect animal carcasses into sell-able materials.” However, before he got to camp another feller rode up and threw a bolas around him. The cowpoke fell to the floor and struggled futilely in the bolas until their attacker hogtied him. “I thought I was going to be killed,” admitted the cowpoke. Instead of killing him however, the attacker stole the deer and rode off.
The hogtied cowpoke remained on the ground for, “felt like hours, but I ain’t to sure, to be honest.” He said when the ranch hands came across him, he could just hear the sound of their horses hooves. Originally he feared he was about to be robbed of the valuables in his posession, but felt the ropes being tugged at while a voice assured him everything was going to be okay. Once untied the cowpoke stretched before whistling for his horse, which was nearby resting under a tree. “I ain’t filing a report but I remember what they looked like and next time… well they ain’t catching me unawares,” said the cowpoke.
Are you awakened by strange noises in the middle of the night? Do you experience dread when criminals hide in your basement or attic? Have you or your family ever seen a criminal or crime? If the answer is yes, don’t wait another minute. Get to your nearest telegraph to contact the professionals at the Herald today! Our courteous and efficient staff is ready receive your telegram 24 hours a day! No matter how unbelievable the story, we’re ready to believe you!
Man’s pet alligator killed and skinned
By Aloysius Levron
A man who lives on the northern outskirts of Saint Denis is grief stricken over the murder of his pet alligator. “I came home with a couple muskrats I hunted and saw my poor baby headless and dead and some feller loading up her skin on his horse,” the man said. For months declining animal populations have created desperation among hunters, this incident being yet another symptom. The man pulled out his gun and walked the killer into Saint Denis, where the police took custody of the killer. Unfortunately for the alligator’s owner, justice was elusive.
“There are no laws in Lemoyne or Saint Denis against killing alligators specifically, best can be applied is destruction of property,” said a Saint Denis policeman. The killer was fined and released the same day. The fine for this crime was much lower than the alligator owner’s anger. “Ain’t no justice here,” said the man, “she ain’t ever hurt nobody.”
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Lannahechee runs red from Black Rose
By Sofia Kathleen Fairfax (Freelancer)
Patricia DeFreine was calmly sitting by the water’s edge yesterday morning, waiting for her husband Philip, to come back from watering the crops. At first, she didn’t notice that the mighty Lannahechee that ran near her family farm in southern Lemoyne had begun to turn a sickly crimson red. She only noticed when the body parts began to float by. A local sheriff was quickly rounded up; he quickly realized this situation required more assistance, so he called for help from nearby Saint-Denis. The local police promptly took over and eventually identified a total of twenty corpses in various states of decomposition. Injuries ran the gamut from simple gunshot wounds to grotesque mutilations. Local police officer Stanley Burnett described the gruesome task of looking over the remains.
“I’d like to believe God as my witness, that these men died quickly. But that is certainly not the case. The majority died from gunshot wounds to the abdomen or neck. At this time, we believe it was .42 caliber, the same as the LeMat revolver. One was beaten to death with a hammer. Two had their throats cut from what appears to be a tomahawk. The last two were tortured with what appears to be a mixture of moonshine and a sharp machete. One was cut in the throat, although unlike the others, this was a thin wound. The poor guy drowned in his own blood. Can’t say the last one did much better; seems the moonshine was ignited. After it was all done, the bodies were savagely cut apart and tossed into the Lannahechee.”
It took until late last night for the identity of the group to be discovered. They were members of Ike Skelding’s bounty hunter group. They had last been seen weeks ago, tracking down infamous outlaw and disgraced heiress Myra Rose Hart, better known as the Black Rose. Many bounty hunters see this as a warning to others; death comes slow to those that hunt the bandit queen. Beyond the group title, none of the victims have been identified. Saint-Denis police are willing to wait another week for possible family members before all the bodies will be buried together in the local cemetery. Miss Hart however, remains at large.
The United States affirms support for an independent Cuban nation, declares war on Spain
By Frederick Vannesse
Congress passed a resolution in both chambers early this week supporting Cuban independence. The bill affirms that the United States is not interested in annexing Cuba and provides President MacAlister the authority to use the military to end hostilities between Spain and Cuba. It also provides an ultimatum for Spain to leave Cuba or face the United States’ Army. A full declaration of war was expected to be passed this week, however this resolution stops short of that. However, despite technically not being a declaration of war, the resolution and its threat is being treated as one by Spain. Spain responded with its own formal declaration of war and criticized the United States for tucking its declaration of war in fancy words about independence. Days later the United States responded by retroactively stating the resolution was in fact, a declaration of war. A spokesman for the White House stated, “the United States has been in a state of war since the passing of the Joint Resolution for Cuban Independence. We declared war first.”
Blockade of Cuba initiated by United States Navy
By Ivy Seager
Following an odd exchange of “not a declaration of war” and declarations of war between the United States and Spain, the U.S. Navy has surrounded the Cuban island. If the back and forth dispute between governments did not make clear that major conflict is coming, the movement of both nation’s navy surely confirms it. The bulk of the U.S. fleet moved to Cuba from Florida, cutting off the Spanish Navy from the island. Reports indicate that a skirmish has already taken place between the two nation’s navies. The Spanish Navy was forced to pull back, however the U.S. Navy did not pursue. The Cuban people themselves are worried what war may bring to their shores. While they are eager to throw Spain’s yoke from their neck and pleased with U.S. efforts to help them, they recognize a fight for independence may be deadly in the short term. Some suggest having the support of the United States will help avoid unnecessary Cuban casualties. However, others argue that nobody can come out unscathed when two major powers collide, least of all the minor powers caught in the middle.
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