Wednesday, December 8, 2021

MORE ON ANNIE OAKLEY

 As this very interesting lady was in my December quiz questions and answers, I thought I would share an old post.  On the recommendation of a fellow traveler, we visited the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming, in August-September 2013.   

 I purchased the postcard above in their museum gift shop.  

Here are a few facts:

"Born Phoebe Ann Moses (or Mosey) on August 13th, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio, the woman who came to be known as Annie Oakley, developed her superb marksmanship as a teenager.  She earned money and helped her family by hunting game for a grocery store.  By the time she was 15 she was able to pay off her mother's mortgage. Also at 15 she won a shooting contest against experienced marksman Frank E. Butler, a top shooter and vaudeville performer.  They married in 1876.  When his partner fell ill, she was the replacement and took on the name Oakley.  She would later become a star attraction for Buffalo Bill's Wild West show for years, renowned for unparalleled shooting tricks, a revered global figure.  

When she met Sitting Bull in 1884, he was so impressed with her manner and abilities, that he "adopted" her and bestowed upon her the additional name of "Watanya Cecelia" or "Little Sure Shot."

She and her husband joined Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show in 1885, which they toured with for more than a decade-and-a-half.  She received top billing and her husband worked as her manager and assisted Oakley with her stunning displays of marksmanship, such as shooting off the end of a cigarette held in her husband's lips, hitting the thin end of a playing card from 30 paces, and shooting distant targets while looking into a mirror, and more.

Annie entertained such royals as Queen Victoria and Kaiser Wilhelm II, and shot a cigarette out of his mouth. 

In 1901 she was partially paralyzed in a railroad accident.  She recovered and continued to perform.  

She retired with Butler in 1913 settling in Cambridge, Maryland, and adopted a dog Dave, who would become part of their later shows.

She was the top earner for the Wild West Show and along with additional exhibition work, she shared money with her extended family and gave donations to charities for orphans.  After her death it was discovered that she had given all her fortune away to these two.

During World War I, Annie volunteered to organize a regiment of female sharpshooters but her petition was ignored.  Instead, she helped to raise money for the Red Cross with exhibition work at army camps.

In her retirement Annie pursued such hobbies as hunting and fishing, and taught marksmanship to other women.  In the early 1920s Oakley and Butler were involved in a car accident in which they were both severely hurt, but she did manage to perform again for a time in 1924.

She passed away on November 3rd, 1926, in Greenville, Ohio of pernicious anaemia.  Her husband died soon after, when he was so heartbroken he stopped eating, and he too passed away on November 21st, 1926.

Photos taken at her exhibit.  Annie Oakley is standing on the right-hand side of the photo holding her rifle.  Click to enlarge for a better look.

One of her costumes inside a display case.

Next is a photo of her in 1922.

You can learn more if you click here.

Thanks for stopping by and enjoy your day.






30 comments:

  1. Thank you for this additional information. She was determined wasn't she? And very well loved.

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    1. I agree, she certainly was on both counts. Glad you enjoyed Sue :)

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  2. Wow, this was so interesting! I didn't know any of it. So many older couples die within a short period of each other. What a story!

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    1. Yes they do Ginny, and glad you found Annie's story interesting.

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  3. Interesting post about a fascinating woman.

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  4. That was an interesting article. When I was a kid, I went to a fancy dress as her. Sorry I haven't visited for a long time.

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    1. Good to see you Diane and no need for apologies. There are times I don't get around to everyone and am surprised sometimes how long it's been. It doesn't seem long at all :) How about that? You getting dressed as Annie Oakley, loved that, thanks for sharing.

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  5. That is one interesting lady.

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  6. Annie Oakley has an interesting life and story. I love the post card.
    Take care, have a happy day!

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    1. I heard about this wild west show performing in my area where I lived. I remember one old newspaper telling the story of Sitting Bull sitting on some steps and handing out pound notes because he was sad that people there were so poor. That article has always stayed with me, and I always remember the kindness of Sitting Bull. Thanks Eileen, you take care and have a happy day also.

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  7. I was enthralled with every word. I was thinking she was buried in Mt. Mariah cemetery in South Dakota...but that's Calamity Jane maybe?!!

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    1. So glad you enjoyed Anni, and you mentioning Calamity Jane got my curiosity peaked. She was in fact buried in Mt. Mariah Cemetery, in Deadwood, South Dakota, and Wild Bill Hickok was too. If we are ever in that area again I will visit and pay my respects.

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  8. Oh...her husband loved her very much. 💕

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  9. i knew none of this and find it very interesting..

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  10. Very interesting bio of this unusual lady. She must have had very keen eyesight and a steady hand.

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  11. Thanks for sharing this interesting story. She was a slim lady judging from her outfit.

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  12. Wow, she was even more amazing than I originally thought, Denise! Such accomplishments for a woman of her time! Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

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    1. You are very welcome Martha Ellen, and thank you :) So happy you enjoyed.

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  13. Very interesting, and I liked seeing the photograph of her.

    All the best Jan

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    1. Me too Jan, I especially liked the one later on in her life :) All the best to you too :)

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