The Active Historian

Phoebe Ann Moses was born on August 13, 1860 in Ohio. Her family called her ‘Annie.’

Sadly, her father passed away from pneumonia when she was six years old. Her mother remarried and her stepfather passed away as well. Annie was sent to live with the Edington family who ran the Darke County Infirmary. She remained with the Edingtons until she was 13-14 years old helping to take care of the children.

Annie then returned home to her mother’s home. Her mother had remarried, but there still wasn’t enough food for everyone to eat. Annie took her father’s rifle and hunted game to sell to a grocery store in Greenville, Ohio. Annie was very successful!

Word got around about how good Annie was at hunting and she was invited to participate in a shooting contest against Frank E. Butler in 1875. She made 25/25 shots and won because Butler missed one of his shots. Frank Butler was very impressed and would later marry her in August 1876.

In 1882, Frank Butler’s usual performing partner was ill and Annie was asked to fill in. She held the objects that Frank was to shoot at and shot some herself! The Butlers traveled across the United States for the next few years performing together. She became known as ‘Annie Oakley.’

Sitting Bull, the Lakota leader gave her the nickname “Little Sure Shot” in 1884.

Annie and Frank joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in 1885. Annie was the star and Butler took the manager role. They traveled with the Wild West show for the next seventeen years. They even made a few appearances in Europe including a performance at Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee. The Butlers left Buffalo Bill’s show in 1901.

Aim for the high mark and you will hit it. No, not the first time, not the second time and maybe not the third. But keep on aiming and keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect. Finally you’ll hit the bull’s-eye of success.

Annie Oakley

Unfortunately, Annie spent a few years fighting lawsuits against newspapers that printed a false article about her from 1903-1910ish. She won or settled against 54 of the newspapers.

Annie and Frank joined another show and continued to perform. The pair retired from performing in 1913 for a few years, but it didn’t last long.

Annie offered to raise a regiment of women to fight in World War I, but the offer wasn’t accepted. She even offered to teach marksmanship to troops, but this wasn’t accepted either. Annie volunteered her time with several organizations during the war to help with the effort.

At the end of 1922, Annie and Frank Butler were badly injured in a car crash. She continued performing a couple of years later, but her health took a turn for the worse by 1925.

Annie took the time to write her memories down and they were published in newspapers across the United States. She passed away on November 3, 1926, and Frank passed away on November 21 a few weeks later.

Annie Oakley was inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in 1984.

Newspaper Clippings

Check out a few photos of Annie Oakley from the contemporary newspapers!

Concluding Thoughts

Annie Oakley’s story is another one of my favorites and I hope you enjoyed reading about her today. I hope to see you back tomorrow as we continue learning more about women in the American West. I’ll talk to ya soon!

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Sources

“Annie Oakley.” National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame.

“Annie Oakley.” Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Ashlee Anderson. “Annie Oakley.” National Women’s History Museum. September 25, 2018.

“Biography: Annie Oakley.” American Experience.

Newspapers

“Annie Oakley, Who Amazed World With Her Shooting Skill, Writes Diary.” The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin) November 18, 1926.

“Why Annie Oakley’s Hair Turned White In One Night.” Nashville Banner (Nashville, Tennessee) March 19, 1908.

“Every Woman Should Learn To Shoot.” Salt Lake Telegram (Salt Lake City, Utah) October 28, 1923.

“Annie Oakley Wants Damages of $10,000.” Hartford Courant (Hartford, Connecticut) October 25, 1905.