Dakota Kuniak

Annie Oakley had a happy and unique childhood but sometimes here and there it was hard and rough on her and her family. Here is her story. Before women were not allowed to touch a gun unless it was for safety reasons, until one 15-year-old girl became a superstar. In 1875 she was known round the world. Her name was Annie Oakley some people called her little sure shot. Annie could shoot an apple off her dog's head, she could bend over backward, she could even shoot a dime out of someone's hand! Annie became a worldwide famous sharpshooter. Annie showed everyone that women could do anything. She showed all people that women shouldn’t only be used in the kitchen they should be where they were happy, she proved that women were capable of doing anything not just watching the kids, doing chores around the house, and cooking dinner. Will Annie’s career stay alive forever?

Annie Oakley had a harsh but happy childhood. She was born August 13, 1860, in Patterson Ohio. Her mom’s name was Susan Moses. Her dad’s name was Jacob Moses. She also has 5 sisters Mary Jane Moses, Lydia Moses, Elizabeth Moses, Sarah Moses, Catherine Moses and 1 brother John Moses. Annie’s family was poor therefore the kids couldn’t go to school. When Annie was 15, she started sharpshooting. She showed everyone what she could do anything. In the meantime, Annie’s parents were struggling to keep their farm and they didn’t want to tell her. Annie didn’t have a lot of people to help her out besides her mother because her dad died when she was 5 so she influenced herself because her family needed food and they didn’t have the money to pay for it, so it was her job to keep the family safe and alive. Annie wanted to show the world and her family that she could do anything. She showed her mom and dad that they weren’t the only people that they had to take care of the family. Annie stood up and helped take care of the family.

Annie never knew if her dream could come true because she was a female, but she was confident. When she felt like she could do it with no hesitation she went for it. She proved to everyone that women can do anything. Every day she went out and practiced with her dad. Until one day Franklin E. Butler came to town challenging people to shooting competitions. She was sure she was going to win this one. He looked around and no one he turned around still no one he turned one more time and he saw her come out of the crowed. He laughed at her and said, “You, why would you go against me.” he didn’t think she could do it, but she showed him that she could. Annie was only 15 years old. 24 shots in a row for Franklin and 24 shots in a row for Annie. This was the last shot Franklin missed Annie had no hesitation, so she went for the shot. “BAM” Annie won. On august 23,1876 they were married. They went to shows to perform together with Buffalo Bill.

Until one day in the fall of 1901 Annie and Franklin were on a train leaving North Carolina bound for Virginia, but it never made it. A head on collision with a rushing freight killed much of the show's livestock. Passengers escaped with their lives, but Annie Oakley’s spine was injured, so bad that she needed surgery. After that it when downhill Annie left the arena and Buffalo Bill. When she left, she missed everything. Just a year after the accident Annie agreed to perform in a play especially for her. Then in 1922 a car accident shattered her ankles and fractured her hip. She would never walk again without a leg brace. After that it was over. Annie was so upset. she had her shooting metals melted down and donated the money to charity.

She was 66 years old and weakening. Some believe that it was led poisoning from years of handling led shot was the cause. November 3, 1926, she died at home in her sleep. It was one of the rare times Frank couldn’t be at her side. 18 days later Franklin passed away. They were buried beside each other in Greenville Ohio not too far from Annie’s childhood home. Annie Oakley was the first American woman to become a superstar not to mention she was the first woman to dare to touch a gun in fact she was the first 15-year-old girl to face a famous sharpshooter (Franklin E. Butler) and WIN. When Annie went up against Franklin she was in it for the long-haul she wouldn’t turn back. Annie got all 25 shots and Franklin missed one making Annie the winner. Now Annie is very famous.

Annie Oakley was the first female to become a famous sharpshooter. You may be asking how did she do it? Her parents were poor they couldn’t even pay the taxes for the farm. She saw the gun and thought to herself “maybe I can be like my father she said no, no can’t only dad can touch the gun” then she second guessed herself she picked up the gun and ran out the door. She went out in the woods and saw a squirrel. She loaded the gun and BAMMM the gun went off and sure enough Annie’s dad herd it he dropped the things he was holding and went off to see what happened. He saw Annie and Annie saw him. Annie proved that she could be an adult. She showed her family that she was incredibly talented and skilled. Annie was a sharpshooter someone who is very skilled a shooting a gun. Annie was very confident in what she was doing and now her tradition is carried on by many women.