LOCAL RIVER LEVELS RISE AGAIN...
Fishermen and locals report local river levels rise again, for the fifth time in a year.
ADVERTISEMENT — DR. HALLOWAY’S TONIC...
TONICS BREWED AT THE BAYS OF THE PACIFIC TO THE ATLANTIC IN THE CLEANLIEST MANNER--CURES AILMENTS, MELANCHOLY, AND FORTIFIES. SEE YOUR NEAREST GENERAL STORE, PROVISIONER, DOCTOR, OR POST OFFICE FOR MORE INFORMATION. SALE FOR ¢10 FOR THIS SEASON! BUY NOW, OR RISK PAYING HIGH PRICES!
UNCONFIRMED SIGHTINGS OF BIGFOOT NEAR SPRINGFIELD COUNTY
Frightened hunters and homesteaders in the northern Springfield County report signtings of "Bigfoot", a mythological creature known to eat infants. These reports are unconfirmed.
"He was a hairy son of a gun," said Willis Baker, shaken from the horrific encounter. "He had fur coated in blood, and was as tall as a thoroughbred on two legs and then some. I caught him eating the head of an infant!"
Officials have claimed these reports to be false, although there has begun unrest in the northern towns. News still incoming.
JACK'S SON CLAIMS HE'S BAD; GANG DISAGREES
M. J, better known as "Jackson", claims he's bad--really, really bad. The local gang, though, disproves this claim by stating "He ain't nothing". Jackson has yet to respond to the gang. Locals continue to press M. J. for answers. Everybody wants to read all about it, black or white.
"He's got you wondering who," said Jackson's siblings. "No more planning to start anew--I want them to look at what they put us through. In our minds, J's specifically, their love was true... but now our dear brother continues to tell his once beloved fans to beat it. That's bad."
LARGE ROBBERY IN THE SOUTH; OUTLAWS MOVE NORTH--LAW ON HIGH ALERT
Just yesterday, an outlaw gang attemped--and failed--to rob a town in Blackwater. Two members were caught by Pinkerton Agents, in which they were shot. One remains in custody. Caravans were spotted by frightened townspeople moving north, through the mountains, in an attempt to flee from persecution. They remain AT LARGE. Local and Federal law enforcement are currently on high alert and are requesting the assistance of any and all citizens in the search for these men.
"Remain vigilant, and do not be afraid; these men can and will not survive this new century." said Pinkerton Agent Milton, claiming safety and justice. Despite these claims, townspeople note unease and tension.
REPORT: The Pinkerton Detective Agency is searching for men matching these descriptions:
A man from the Netherlands, goes as such. Likely in his fifties. Leader of the gang. Dresses in suits and gold chains.
A rough man of Welsh ancestry. Son of a no-good sinner. Likely in his late thirties. Dangerous and SHOULD NOT BE APPROACHED without the assistance of a lawman.
A Scottish immigrant. Likely in his twenties. Slim physique. Ear-length hair at the time of his first appearence.>
Report any and all information to the following:
Marshal's Office, Pinkerton Detective Agency, Any Sheriff's Office, U.S Army Office.
CIVIL WAR VETERAN WILLIAM AUGUSTUS TAYLOR CLAIMS THE UNION IS CORRUPT
"It's an organization against humanity; an organization that forces its men to adhere to strict ruling--like a dictator would his country--and sacrifice their lives for a needless cause." claimed William A. Taylor, a former confederate general who had been recenrly officially acquitted of his crimes and released from prison as of March 4th, 1893. Taylor claims the Union has imprisoned him, and in his words, "Because of my vast knowledge and intuition...". His claims have been met with skepticism by the public.
MAYOR'S WIFE MURDERED; TRUSTED DEPUTY CONSIDERED A PRIME SUSPECT
Clarkstown Mayor [REDACTED]'s wife, [REDACTED], has been found deceased in her penthouse at approximately 3:20 AM last morning. "Fifteen stab wounds were found in her body, as with a vial of poison," reported detectives. She has not been seen by the public in the weeks following the passing of her beloved daughter [REDACTED] Abington, and has exhibited unusual traits in the days prior to her seclusion. She was discovered by her mother.
Detectives uncovered a myriad of documents that led them to a deputy in Clarkstown, M. Wells. Wells has been reported to have been close to the victim and the mayor, and was considered a trusted contact. Wells was the last to be seen with the victim in a saloon, in which she was seen drunkenly stumbling outwards the back door. Neither Wells or the victim were seen in the days following.
Just a week after obtaining a search warrant for M. Wells, detectives uncovered a casket, cases of cocaine, illegal weaponry, and forged documents in his basement and attic. Wells fled law enforcement on horseback and has yet to be seen.
State law enforcement has requested the help of citizens in the search for Marion Wells. County-wide search parties have been announced, but no new information has been uncovered. A $500 bounty has been placed on Wells's head, dead or alive--preferable alive. $350 if returned dead. See Clarkstown officials, U.S Marshals, or Fordham Detectives for more info. Report any and all possible information to your closest law enforcement office.
THE GRAND MONTAGNE SET TO SAIL THE ATLANTIC
The Grand Montagne, an expansive--and expensive--riverboat was initially proposed in 1883 by Jean-Pierre Durand and Sylvester Salomon. Due to its many delays, its success bore the many doubts from the public, and companies began to pull their investments in fear of the worst. It initially launched passengerless in 1887, meant to dock in Marais, but faced multiple infrastructural issues considering steering, foundation, and its rudders. This caused an extensive delay and rise in money required. Despite the inevitabke setbacks, Pierre and Sylvester did not quit--they persisted, refined, and convinced the public to invest. Its first official test run was done in 1892, allowed by Board of Port Authority & Security as with Anders-Anderson Finance & Banking, and successfully docked in Southern West Delacroix.
The Montagne is set to sail the Atlantic Ocean starting November 30th. Tickets are being sold at auction for $15 a piece. Get yours now, or risk missing out on a valuable experience!
MARKET PRICES STEADY...
Market prices have continued to steady following the 1893 Panic. Despite businenesses continuing to shut down in the aftermath, many more have taken the spotlight as the United States as a whole
begins to rebuild their economy. Stock prices have risen a whopping 10% since August 1st, and are expected to fully stabilize by the end of this year.
"It's a miracle," said bank investor Abraham J. Harper. "I thought we would never recover. Well, no, not truthfully; I knew we would. My business did not, though, as I was forced to stifle bankruptcy down its throat. My wife was not quite pleased... ho-ho!"
LOST — ONE SORRY HORSE...
Morgan Tompson, 31, is missing a sorry breed of horse. Skinnier than that of a malnourished newborn, and a mane home to a township of ticks, Tompson is offering up to $40 of his measly cash for its safe return. I, personally, would buy another, and...
RAILWAY DELAYS EXPECTED DUE TO CONDUCTOR SCHEDULING SENSUAL INTERCOURSE WITH HIS MISTRESS
J. Perry, a seasoned train conductor and prolific sexist, has sent out a telegraph notifying all post offices of a delay due to, and we quote, "I am bound by a paramount obligation; namely, a prearranged and crucial assignation with an enchanting associate--my wife--a liasion of the most ardently anticipated and passionately intimate nature...". Perry says the delay could last as long as "all day, and all night". Passengers are outraged, and demand refunds.
Major Stories
MURDER OF CHURCH LEADER AND BUSINESSMAN THURMOND MORTIMER PROVEN TO BE PREMEDITATED
Thurmond Mortimer, successful businessman and respected church leader, was publicly murdered on his residence in the March of 1889 by two men. It was widely believed by the public to have been at the hands of a misfire or during the heat of an arguement between men, but recent investigations by detectives have proven such sayings otherwise. Officials note that they have stumbled upon "damning evidence" and are sentencing banker Frederic Pettigrew with first degree murder amongst other counts.
Thurmond Mortimer was last sighted meandering his terrace, when two men approached and sparked an arguement. While there were no witnesses apart from Mortimer--who is deceased--and the two assailants, townspeople reported hearing four to six gunshots. Mortimer unfortunately succumbed to his wounds.
The two men were quickly recognized as Oscar Tremblay and Willie Dufort, and were tracked down to a saloon in the southeastern district of Saint Hale. They were promptly arrested by law enforcement. During their trial, Tremblay and Dufort claimed no prior knowledge of Mortimer's businessman status, and did not premeditate the act. Due to a lack of evidence, the men were charged with one count of involuntary manslaughter and were initially sentenced to Elizabeth State Prison for five months.
However, suspicions arose that the act was, in fact, premeditated, and was a targeted attack. Frederic Pettigrew-Dufort, Willie's relative and well-known banker and competitor to Mortimer, was arrested on multiple counts of bribery and attempts to monopolize. An unrelated search was done on his premises, in which detectives uncovered multiple cases of forged documents, ledgers, and letters to and from Mortimer, dating back to 1887. The letters between Mortimer and Pettigrew were primarily centered around land purchases. Mortimer rejected Pettigrew's requests to purchase his land following his company filing for bankruptcy, which angered the latter man. It is insinuated that Pettigrew threatened Mortimer via a third-party organization, in which Mortimer responded with legal action. Nothing came of the proceeding. The most incriminating, though, were ledgers with the names "Cole" and "Kid Colt", confirmed to be aliases by close friends of Oscar Tremblay and Willie Dufort, with payments of $1000 toward each man.
This information was brought to courts and law enforcement, and a retrial involving Pettigrew, Tremblay, and Dufort was announced. All three men confessed to premeditated murder and blackmail when confronted with evidence.
Tremblay and Dufort were sentenced to life imprisonment, whereas Pettigrew was sentenced to execution by hanging. His execution date has been set to September 1, 1893.
GUNFIGHT ENSUES BETWEEN NATIVES AND U.S ARMY AFTER ATTEMPTS TO SEIZE LAND; FIVE TROOPERS DEAD
Attempts to seize native land by the U.S Army were made last Saturday and Sunday. Initial attempts were considered successful, with one-hundred acres of land seized without struggle and natives relocated temporarily. The following day, when a calvary regiment attempted to reclaim the remaining three-hundred and fifty acres of land, a shot was fired from a hilltop, unfortunately ending the life of Major J. Hastings. The regiment, led by Colonel Morgan Dobbs, returned fire at the thirty native men, killing approximately sixteen before the remainder retreated. Five calvalry troops and one captain unfortunately succumbed to their wounds before they could be treated.
The regiment tracked the remaining native attackers to a camp, in which they rounded up fifty men, women, and children, and relocated them to a southern military fort. The fifty natives, accompanied by two other unrelated tribes, have been recently put under heavy surveillance by the U.S Military.
"Savage and degenerate," Colonel Dobbs described the attack. "It was a foolish attempt of retaliation--one that we, the military, as with the states, will never tolerate as a union of men..." [Paraphrase]. Dobbs expresses anger toward the attack, and publicly condemns the assailants for their violence and savagery.
Local militias considered this attack on one to be "an attack on all" and threatened to entirely remove the nation from the state entirely. Since the attacks, multiple acts of violence aimed toward native populations have been reported--but no man has been persecuted. The state government, under the pressure of the public, formed a temporary native territory in which native nations can be relocated.
Local Briefs
Memorial for Chuch Leader T. Mortimer canceled under threats
A memorial for the late church leader Thurmond Mortimer, in which churchgoers would pray over his soul and that he may be accepted into heaven, has been recently canceled due to threats made by unnamed--and armed--bandits. Pastor William J. Hartfield reports that the men "threatened to burn the entire church" if the memorial was not canceled, and wielded long rifles and held explosives in the breaches of their saddles. Churchgoers are concerned on whether they should cancel under such pressure. Sexton Virgil W.Walker says: "It should take more to break us. I don't see no issue with a memorial." Mortimer's memorial remains canceled and does not seem to be subject to change by the Priest and Minister. Updates continue.
Ted Beckett's grave found desecrated; suspects swiftly arrested
Former County Sheriff Ted Beckett died just weeks prior, untimely, to multiple gunshot wounds in his residence. He was buried the same day. Recently, Sexton Hartfield spotted a group of men extracting the late sheriff from his tomb under the moon's light. The men, later identified as former constables Amadeus Turner and Frank Rowland, were reported to have taken gruesome souvenirs such as fingers, scraps of clothing, an ear, and nose using a large bowie knife. Hartfield, frightened, reported the sight to local law enforcement. Deputies Elliot Hall, Dakota Lancaster, and Cassidy Rivers arrested Turner and Rowland as the men attempted to illegally sell Beckett's body parts. They are currently awaiting a trial.
Turner and Rowland were once dutiful deputies under Beckett until February of 1891 when they were dishonorably discharged under accusations of conspiracy to murder a legal official, blackmail, and bribery. They were released on February of last year. Around that time, a known judge was found hanging beneath a tree via a rope. People turned and accused Turner and Rowland of the murder, but due to the lack of evidence, the case was turned down by courts. Earlier this year, Turner and Rowland were reportedly put on house arrest for unrelated reasons.
Bridge over the Jefferson river destroyed
The bridge crossing the Jefferson river has recently been destroyed, prohibiting many travelers from crossing into the western Bennett and Banneker Counties. Travelers are now advised to take a longer route and cross where thr river's waters lower. This sudden change affected and increased local travel times by up to an hour by chuckwagon. Repairs were promised by local officials, but nearby residents are unsure of the authenticity. Many blame yestereven's thunderstorm, in which water levels rose drastically, and moderately flooded port towns. On the other hand, though, outlaws and opposing forces are condemned and accused--but a lack of evidence continues. Human injuries have yet to be reported from this incident, though updates continue.
Adam Moulin set for marriage; Accusations of adultery and affairs arise
Adam Moulin, a liked post office clerk, has recently announced his marriage to Margaret Lorraine, a general store worker, has been scheduled for this Friday at the town's church. He was celebrated by his close friends and relatives for the milestone. However, accusations and incriminating evidence of affairs have been brought to light by his former partner, Bonnie J. Davenport. Letters to and from multiple working women have turned the public's eyes toward Moulin, who has yet to deny the accusations. Lorraine and Moulin have recieved threats by angry townspeople following the release of the letters, forcing the couple to request privacy. This conflict cost Moulin his role as a clerk, leading to later financial issues.
Notices and Advertisements
SPENCER'S TONICS
SALE FOR $5. HEALS ALL, FOR ALL. CHECK YOUR CLOSEST GENERAL STORE
WANTED: Two missing Thoroughbred horses. Stop. Return to Benedict Fisher. Stop.
WANTED: Wagon containing materials. Stop. Return to Prairie Sheriff's Office or Lemuel Irving. Stop.
Auction: Farmtools, wagons, and clothing. Send questions and concerns to 12 Marson Rd.
MISSING: A brown dog missing a left ear. Responds to meat. Male; name is "Sparky".
MISSING: Cheyenne, 19 years old at the time of disappearence. Bring back to Baker household. $30 reward, negotiable.
Crime Report
WANTED: Bill Steward is wanted for murder and robbery. Last sighted in the surrounding area of Banneker County and Jefferson River by fishermen. $50 reward; speak to Marshal Calloway.
WANTED: Bennett-Thompson Gang. Wanted for the murder of Ella Graves, Leander J. Fowler, and the kidnapping of Leonard Fowler. Also wanted for numerous crimes against humanity. $250 reward each; report any and all information to U.S Marshals.
WANTED: Thomas Hensley. Wanted for numerous robberies across multiple counties and his involvement in the recent boat heist in Marais. $150, negotiable, subject to changes as his escapade continues. Report to any U.S Marshal's office for more information.
Announcements
Gun Ordinance set into motion by Marshal R. Calloway -- Opinions divided
August 7, 1893. Following the assassination of Sheriff Ted Beckett, Marshal Roscoe Calloway--in conjunction with the efforts of Mayor J. Ellington--have set a gun ordinance in place. Prairie citizens are prohibited from carrying firearms, concealed or publicly within the town's limits. Exceptions are as stated: "Residents can own firearms for protection at their home, purchased land, or hunting beyond town limits." This ordinance requires that all firearm-owning citizens immediately turn in their firearms to the Marshal's office or Clayton livery stable. "Inability to adhere to this rule will result not in a warning, but in arrest... we cannot risk another loss." says the mayor. Denizen's opinions are divided: Some argue agaisnt the ordinance, claiming it as "ridiculous and irrational", whilst others believe it to be a reasonable safety protocol. Regardless, Marshal R. Calloway and his deputies have begun to patrol the streets with vigilance.