Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley

                             By: Perrin long

Annie Oakley was born on August 13, 1860 in Darke County, Ohio. Annie’s real name is Phoebe Ann Moses. She got the name Phoebe Ann Moses by her mother and was called Annie by her sisters. Annie has the stage name Oakley after the city Oakley in Ohio. Annie is always known as a sharp shooting horseback riding girl of the Wild West. Annie is also a nice lady who was admired by Queens and courted by European aristocracy.

        Annie Oakley did not get an education. She started hunting and shooting at the age of nine to help get food for her Mom and siblings. Annie had to start hunting around the age of nine because her father died. At the age of eight or nine Annie was sent to work on a poor farm and was treated like a slave. The owners of the farm were referred to as “The Wolves”.

        Annie Oakley and her spouse Frank joined the circus in 1884. Annie and Frank also thought that Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show would be a perfect place for Annie to show her talent. When they went to Buffalo Bill he turned them down. He said he already had enough sharpshooters. But Annie had a good offer so Buffalo Bill took her. Annie and Frank joined in 1885 and since Annie was only five feet tall she got the nickname “Little Sure Shot”.

        Annie Oakley was the best-known woman at her age and everyone loved her. Annie practiced so hard she could hit a target by looking in a mirror behind her. She could also shoot fifty or sixty glass balls in a row. Annie could throw two balls into the air and hit them both twirling around. Annie won a shooting match against a professional sharpshooter and got the cash prize of one hundred dollars.