Annie Oakley's History

Annie Mosley was born in Darke County, Ohio. Her father died of pneumonia when she was 9 years old. To support her mother and their 6 other kids she began to shoot various kinds of animals. In Cinncinati she entered a contest where she met her husband, Frank Butler. Annie married Frank Butler and their relationship florished for their entire life. She kept her maiden name and Frank had been divorced before.

She became more famous than he and Frank became the manager of their team. She was a trick shooter and became a better person on stage than Frank - he decided to manage their acts. She was such a good shooter - she shot a dime between Frank's thumb and forefinger and she shot clay pigeons as well. In another event he threw cards in the air and she shot holes in them and gave them to the spectators. She was a small woman who people respected by her symbolic femininity. She resisted the traditional women's role during her time by working outside of the home.

During her career she was thought of as a surrogate mother to Indians, cowboys, orphans, and school kids. The Wild West show was known as a respectable family entertainment.

hey joined the Buffalo Bill's Wild West show run by Buffalo Bill Cody. They worked 17 years there and she became the star attraction. She showed great compassion to orphans, widows, and others. They madea famous show called "Annie Get Your Gun".

Sitting Bull entered the Wild West Show and called Annie "Little Sure Shot". She retired from sdhooting acts in 1913. Her next journey was in acting and benefit shows. She died in 1926 in a car accident that fractured her hip and Frank died within three weeks.