Annie Oakley Facts
Annie Oakley Facts
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Interesting Annie Oakley Facts: |
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The last name Oakley came from either her neighborhood in Cincinnati, or it was the name of a man who once paid her train fare. |
Annie Oakley petitioned the government to allow women to go to war, but she was not allowed. |
While a performer in Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show, Annie Oakley became famous for her shooting tricks and precise marksmanship. |
In 1884 Annie Oakley met Sitting Bull - the Native American leader and icon. He was so impressed with Annie's talent that he gave her the name 'Little Sure Shot' and 'adopted' her. |
As a performer with Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show Annie Oakley toured the United States and Europe. |
Annie Oakley performed in the Wild West Show until 1902. She had to quit the show because of a train accident injury in 1901. |
After the train accident Annie Oakley had five spinal operations. It allowed her to return to the show for a brief period but she left the show in 1902. |
A stage play was written for Annie Oakley called 'The Western Girl', in which she performed beginning in 1902. |
It has been said that her shooting expertise improved after the accident and into her 60s. |
It has been estimated that Annie Oakley is believed to have taught approximately 15,000 women how to use a gun. She believed women needed to know how to use a gun for self-defense, and for mental and physical exercise. |
Annie Oakley could split a playing card from 30 paces - held edge on. She would then shoot holes in it before it reached the ground. |
Annie Oakley could shoot dimes that were tossed in the air. She even shot cigarettes from her husband's mouth. |
Annie Oakley could look into her bowie knife and use the reflection to shoot a target behind her. |
A newspaper article published in 1903 by Hearst newspapers falsely reported that Annie Oakley had stolen pants to pay for cocaine and was arrested. In fact it was a burlesque dancer not Annie, and Annie sued William Randolph Hearst. In total Annie sued 55 newspapers for reprinting the false stories. It took 6 years but she won or settled 54 suits. |
Annie Oakley died of pernicious anemia in 1926, at the age of 66. Her husband Frank refused to eat and died 18 days later. |
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