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The Trials of Annie Oakley
Annie Oakley was born Annie Moses on August 13, 1860, in Darke County, Ohio. Her father’s untimely death when she was still a child forced Annie to find work to help support her seven brothers and sisters and their mother.
Annie first learned to hunt with a rifle when she was eight. She used her natural markswoman ability to provide food for the evening meals. She became such a good shot she was hired on by a merchant to supply his store with fresh game. By the time Annie turned nine, she was a major provider for her family.
A shooting match between Annie and Western showman Frank Butler in 1875 changed her life forever. The challenge was for each marksman to shoot twenty-five clay pigeons. Frank hit twenty-four of the twenty-five targets. Annie hit all of them.
Frank was so taken by the young woman’s expertise and femininity that he invited her to come and see him perform in one of his Western programs. She was impressed with his kindness and proficiency with a weapon. After a short time, their mutual fondness and admiration blossomed into love. They were married on June 22, 1876.
Frank and Annie pooled their talents and took their shooting know-how on the road. The two gave exhibitions at theaters across the country. By this time Annie had changed her name to Oakley. She decided on that name because she’d liked the sound of it ever since her sister told her of the Ohio district with the same handle.
Butler and Oakley were well received wherever they performed. People were not only amazed at the teenager’s shooting but admired the pluck of a girl who could hold a coin steady until it was shot from her fingers. By December of 1884 Frank and Anne had become the top shooting act in the country.
To learn more about Annie Oakley and her life with Frank Butler read
The Trials of Annie Oakley.
