Annie Oakley Shatters Women’s Trap Shooting Record
On March 5, 1922, Annie Oakley broke all existing records for women’s trap shooting.
Born Phoebe Ann Mosey in Ohio in 1860, Annie Oakley learned to shoot at an early age. She showed remarkable skill with guns and would often shoot and sell wild game to local restaurants to help support her impoverished family. When an admirer suggested she compete against professional marksman Frank Butler in a shooting exhibition, 15-year-old Annie reluctantly agreed. To the cheers of the amazed crowd she defeated Butler on the last shot, 25 to 24. The two sharpshooters married in 1876. Taking the stage name Oakley, she toured with vaudeville shows and circuses.
In 1885, Oakley joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show. So enthusiastic was the response to her daring feats, she was given top billing as “Miss Annie Oakley – the Peerless Lady Wingshot,” while her husband served as her assistant. As part of her act she would shoot a dime held in Butler’s hand, use a mirror to shoot at a target behind her, shoot a playing card thrown in the air 90 feet away from her, and fire shots while riding a bicycle. While performing in Berlin, she shot a cigarette out of Kaiser Wilhem’s hand.
In 1916, Oakley and Butler moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina. They joined the staff of the Carolina Hotel and the Pinehurst Gun Club. Oakley gave shooting lessons and exhibitions twice a week, teaching some 125,000 men and women over the course of four years. During one of these demonstrations, on March 5, 1922, Oakley hit 98 out of 100 clay targets from 16 yards away. (Some sources say she hit all 100.) This broke all existing records, showing that at age 62, she was still one of the best shooters in the world.
Many believed Oakley was going to stage a comeback in 1922, but that summer she and her husband were in a serious car accident. After two years, Oakley was able to perform again – and even set new records – but her health began to decline in 1925, and she died the following year.
The popular Broadway musical Annie Get Your Gun was loosely based on Oakley’s life. Although the musical portrays her as an outspoken tomboy, she was actually a quiet person who practiced needlepoint in her spare time.
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Some people are born with unbelievable talent. All Indians know about Arjun who could shoot a moving target looking its reflection in water. I have seen this stamp but didn’t know her story.
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Love these daily history lessons.Look forward to them every day.
Another excellent piece of American History. I enjoy each and every one of them.
I like todays, this day in history. I wonder about the 16 yards though, as that seems like close range to me and also the type of gun used?
“Oakley hit 98 out of 100 clay targets from 16 yards away. (Some sources say she hit all 100.) This broke all existing records, ”
Thank you Mystic!
16 yards is 48 feet. I think that is some ways away.
I’m sure that was from what they call the 16 yard line in trap. They clay is thrown from 16 yards away and is further when hit. Trap starts at 16yds and goes back to 27yds
Quite a feat for a woman emerging in the manner which she did at the “times” which she did it. Beating a man at a man’s game in the late 1800’s had to be unheard of. Frank Butler certainly recognized a diamond in the rough when he found her much like Sonny found Cher. It’s reminiscent of some years ago when news came from the great white north; Welcome to Alaska where men are men and a woman wins the Iditarod.
Good info.
What a wonderful story containing some information I did not know. Thank you Mystic.
Great article. She also lived w/ her husband in Nutley, NJ, where the post office adorns a wall mural of her in action. Even a street is named after her.
I start everyday with wonderful history lesson. Every history class across America should read these history lesson to get a passing grade
I start everyday with wonderful history lesson. Every history class across America should read these history lesson to get a passing grade