McFarlane’s Ranch attacked, supplies stolen
By Wylie Frey
In a story that should surprise nobody, McFarlane’s Ranch has once again come under attack. The ranch is located in an area far from law enforcement and near many outlaws, such as those in Thieves Landing. Ranch hands are always armed and prepared for attackers, but they are not always the best trained shooters. That fact was exploited again this week when a posse of cowpokes attacked the ranch and stole several bags of supplies. The ranch hands tried to fight off the attackers, but the attackers, “were better shots than us,” according to one ranch hand. “We are just working men, doing hard work for decent pay. We ain’t gunslingers really so those fellas had us at a disadvantage.” Most of the ranch hands took cover or were shot. Only one was reported dead, though others were taken to Valentine doctor in a wagon. They are expected to survive.

The outlaw cowpokes fled when lawmen finally arrived. Unfortunately, the lawmen lost the trail and the outlaws managed to escape. One of the outlaws was shot in the arm, however no doctor in the Five States reported a gunshot victim coming in for help. “It ain’t likely they would anyway,” said a U.S. Marshal, “most these outlaws would just drink some kinda miracle tonic, pull out the bullet, and move on.” The marshals have little optimism regarding catching the outlaws as none of the ranch hands could provide enough details about the gang.

Man arrested for grave-robbing
By Alois Burdittr
A man was digging up graves in Odd Fellows Rest in Cholla Springs this week. Fortunately for the deceased, a posse of U.S. Marshals was riding by when it happened. The Marshals have been trying to increase their presence in New Austin to bring law and order to the difficult to tame state. Though, this is hardly the kind of crime they were hoping to fight. “We are mostly looking for Del Lobo, Owlhoots, and other outlaws doing harm,” said one of the marshals, “but we can’t just give a grave-robber a pass.” The man was arrested and taken to the Armadillo Sheriff office. The grave-robber had only one thing to say for themselves, “I was only following my metal detector…”

Several folks die in failed attempt at scaling glacier
By Caylen V. Hornby
The Ambarino glacier has always drawn adventurous explorers despite the many failed attempts to scale the glacier. A new group of explorers attempted to scale the glacier using specialized equipment. Everything was going well until one of the climbers lost their grip on their tools. They plummeted to the ground screaming and collided into several other climbers. One climber managed to tuck themselves close to the glacier, but one of the falling climbers grabbed him on their way down, bring him down as well. That man survived, but others did not.

Members of the group who were not climbing quickly attended to those who had fallen. At least two were said to have died on impact. Others were tended to near the campfire as best they could before being transported down the mountain to Strawberry. One of the victims died on this part of the journey. The reset arrived in Strawberry, where the doctor there was a bit overwhelmed but put his fishing pole away and tended to the wounded. Unfortunately, of those still alive, only two survived. The doctor was able to ease the pain of two other victims before they too succumbed to their wounds. Authorities are advising against attempts to scale the glacier. “The Five States is a dangerous place, you can die just stepping outside of your home,” said a the Mayor of Strawberry, “I’m not sure why anyone would want to climb a wall made of ice!”

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!

Gunfight across Upper Montana River
By Daisy Fairman
Witnesses reported a gunfight on the border of Big Valley and the Great Plains. Nobody is sure how the gunfight started, but for several minutes gunfire was exchanged across the Upper Montana River. Another witness reported seeing a lone cowpoke fleeing across the Great Plains. “I was quite sure I had seen the man before, at the Strawberry post office,” the witness said. “He was telling the postman that he had only been in the Five States a few days. He had a look about him like he was just waiting to shoot someone. I’m not surprised he got into a fight he couldn’t handle.” Another witness reported a posse of three to four gunslingers were fighting the cowpoke. The posse was last seen headed to the Heartlands.

Outlaw Hogan Graves spotted in Big Valley
By Odell Clifton
Notorious outlaw Hogan Graves has allegedly set up camp near or at Hanging Dog Ranch. The ranch itself has a history of ownership changes, as gangs in the area often target the ranch as a result of it being so far from law enforcement. Graves is now the latest of outlaws to allegedly take up residence at the ranch. Rising to infamy in Kansas, Graves led a gang of miscreants on several successful robberies. Their luck finally ran out attempting to rob a bank. The law was upon the gang quickly and Graves himself was shot though he managed to escape. “I shot that bastard in the head, ain’t no way he survived,” said a lawman from Kansas. However, it appears he did.

Graves is now easily distinguishable by a scar on his face, from being shot. This ugly scar is said to contrast with striking blue eyes. Graves is of average size and at the time of this printing, is said to have light brown muttonchops and long light brown hair. Authorities also warn that he has an unpleasant demeanor and should not be approached under any circumstances. At this time there is no official bounty issued. Any information on Hogan Graves should be reported to the local sheriff immediately.

Friendly poker game turns violent quickly
By Emery Cosberry
Poker is played all across the Five States, usually facilitated by a saloon. The saloon takes a cut to pay for the upkeep of the table and supplies. However, games of poker are played at Flatneck Station as well, far from any saloon. Folks waiting for their train can often kill time playing some cards and if they are lucky, making some money. One such man was furious after winning several big pots and noticing a bit of the money was being taken each time. “It’s for the house,” said one of the players according to witnesses. However, the man grew furious, noting there was no “house” to pay and began accusing the other players of stealing part of his winnings, “Ain’t no saloon here to take a cut, who is taking my money god dammit!” the man yelled as he flipped the poker table.

One of the poker players pulled out a pistol, while another knocked the pistol out of their hands. A fist fight then broke out among the poker players. Nobody tried to pull out another gun and fortunately, nobody died. However, many were bruised and battered as they boarded the train. Another witness reported that just before leaving, one of the poker players handed money to a, “young man, might of still been a boy even, barely an adult.” Perhaps he is the one taking the house cut from the Flatneck Station poker table?

Van Horn prospering once more?
By Van R. Seldon
The trading post of Van Horn had once been quite prosperous. It facilitated trading from the Five States to the eastern portion of the U.S. across the Lannahechee River. However, the town of Annesburg has grown to be a larger trade center over the decades. But Van Horn’s hopes are not completely gone. Annesburg closed the town saloon for undisclosed reasons, driving many miners to Van Horn for an after work drink. While the saloon owner in Van Horn is happy about the increased patrons, that is not the biggest contributor to Van Horn’s rise from the ashes. In many ways, Van Horn’s decline is the very reason why it is now rising. Traders have recently begun using Van Horn as a key trade location, dropping off large amounts of bulk goods while paying low taxes. Those taxes then help to maintain what infrastructure the town still has. An even larger contributor, however, are deals made on the black market.

Van Horn has no law to speak of, except the law as understood by the residents of the trading town. And the law of Van Horn is to mind your business and and keep your gun holstered. I have learned that for a price, the folks of Van Horn are more than happy to continue minding their own business and ignore illegal trade, so long as no harm is coming to the residents of Van Horn. The growing black market, expanded legal trade, and plenty of folks coming to drink, have all created situation where Van Horn may be able to reverse its fortunes and make it an ideal place for new residents to move too.

Caliga Hall crops set ablaze
By Mathilde Orry
The Grays continue to be plagued by mysterious crop burners. Despite controlling the law in the Scarlett Meadows region, the Grays have been unable to stop the arsonists. They are, however, actively seeking information about the arsonists so that, “we can bring ’em old fashioned Gray justice!” said Sheriff Leigh Gray. However, a Rhodes resident who belongs to the Respawners cult does not see the problem. “Well, I understand why seeing your crops burn is upsetting,” the man admitted, “but I can’t understand how they don’t notice the crops respawn unburned and unharmed in moments.” According to Rhodes’ resident Respawner, the Grays should just shift their focus on other things, like pretending to care about the law.

Former slave owner found dead
By Ela Q. Asken
A man was found dead this week in his plantation home. The man’s name will not be printed in this paper. Not to protect their family but to avoid giving such a bad man any publicity. This murder victim made a living exploiting others through the institution of slavery. Like many wealthy ex-Confederates, this man too had fallen on hard times. With no free labor to do the work on the plantation, he fell into squalor. The former slave own resorted to loans to hire staff but could not adjust to having to pay actual wages and continued to go further into debt. Like many of those in debt across the Five States, this former slave owner became a victim of the Smoking Gun. The former slave owner was found sitting at his chair, unbound and appearing relaxed. There were several cigarettes of the hand rolled variety in an ashtray on the man’s desk. It appeared the Smoking Gun sat across from his victim for quite sometime, smoking cigarettes and conversing about God knows what.

The killing occurred at night, and so nobody saw the Smoking Gun clearly. However, the slaver’s wife recalled some features. “I let the man in… I had no idea what he was going to do,” the woman admitted. According to her, she walked the Smoking Gun right into her husband’s room. “My husband did look awfully nervous and I wondered if I had erred in letting this man in.” The woman wept while she spoke. While she did not note the Smoking Gun’s appearance in detail, she noted that he wore a distinctive flat cap. This is a detail we have heard before from witnesses in Saint Denis. She further described him as, “a rather dapper gentleman who was not unpleasant to look at, except for that scar….” she said. She also noted he had a mustache and goatee. This description matches what we know and in the notes I took possession of in Strawberry. Several hours after letting the Smoking Gun in, she heard a gunshot come from her Husband’s office. “I hesitated because I was afraid,” the wife admitted. By the time she got to the office her husband was dead and the killer was gone.

I must admit it is difficult to see the Smoking Gun as the bad guy here. Slavery will forever be a dark mark on this country which champions freedom. That said, the Smoking Gun is still a murderer for hire who does not always kill the villains of the world. Before I left, the widow handed me a medallion she found her son playing with. As she ran to her husband’s office, the Smoking Gun was in her child’s room. “He said a polite man gave it to him,” the widow told. She was unsettled by it and so she gave it to me. I will investigate the medallion and perhaps it will tell me more about the Smoking Gun.

After months of preparation, Trans-Mississippi Exposition is finally open
By Adam Parvey
Amidst two great nations at war, the Trans-Mississippi Exposition is underway! World’s Fairs have been all the rage for the last several decades as they are one of the few ways a country can stand out among otheres. Many across the world are curious about the United States and the wildness of the land. To capitalize on that interest, the Trans-Mississippi Exposition will display quintessential aspects of American life. From Wild West Shows to authentic displays of Indian life, many from all over the world will learn what it is like in the United States of America!

Guarma becomes first U.S. territory
By Ivy Seager
After freeing Guarma from Spanish rule and promising to help island nation restore its independence, the U.S. has claimed Guarma as a U.S. territory. It is the first such territory to be claimed by the U.S., who claims it is a temporary situation. With the ongoing war, Guarma needs the U.S. to hold things in order and restore supply lines, according to the U.S. Army. President MacAlister has said he has no interest in controlling Guarma and when the war with Spain is over, Guarma will,”be in a position to be independent should its people want that.”

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