Annie Oakley Essay

Annie Oakley

Annie Oakley was a famous sharpshooter in the late 1800’s. She became known as one of the leading women of the American west. One of her famous quotes was: “Aim at a high mark and you’ll hit it. No not the first time, not the second and maybe not the third. But keep on shooting for only practice will make you perfect. Finally you’ll hit the bull’s-eye of success.” Phoebe Ann Oakley was born on August 13, 1860, in a house built by her father, Jacob and mother Susan, in Darke County, Ohio. Phoebe Ann was the sixth daughter of nine children. She had a younger brother, John, and sister, Hulda. She would have another sister, but she is born later. In 1866 Phoebe’s father drove out to deliver wheat and corn to a mill fourteen miles

She was known because she was the star in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. She joined in 1885, and traveled with it for seventeen years. She performed for Queen Victoria and the Sioux chief Sitting Bull who gave her the name Watanya Cecila meaning Little Sure Shot.One of Annie’s most famous shots was when she looked at her target in a mirror. She shot the target on the first try without turning around. She could hit glass balls in the air and put holes in playing cards before they hit the ground. She could also hit a card edge on from 100 paces. Annis starred in a play called “The Western Girl”. After Annie died there was a musical called “Annie Get Your Gun” That was written in her honor.

Annie’s death was a terrible tragedy to her fans around the world. In 1901 Annie was involved in a train wreck. Though this didn’t kill her stress was put on her and she quit the show. Later in 1922, she was in a car wreck and suffered a fractured hip and a shattered ankle. After these events, her health started to fail. She was diagnosed with pernicious anemia which was a blood disorder. She died on November 3, 1926 and was cremated. Her ashes were put in a trophy cup. The cup was placed in an oak box and she was buried in Brock Cemetery, in Ohio close to where she was