SCR00007.176

THE
Breeder and Sportsman

The "Wild West" Rampant.

Readers of this paper will remember that in June last appeared a letter signed "A California," which purported to give actual facts relative to the doings and standing of the two famous and very charming ladies, Miss Lillian Smith and Miss Annie Oakley, who are giveing shooting exhibtions with what is known as "Buffalo Bill's Wild West," an aggregation of vaqueros, Indians, buffalos and show people, which illustrates the incidents of life on the plains. The aggregation is now the drawing card in London, and the leading people have been subjected to marked and flattering attentions from persons of all positions in society. The experience is a peculiar one to the performers, and there is little wonder that the husband of Miss Annie Oakley, from one of the proprietors of the show, Mr. Nate Salsbury, and from the "Orator" of the aggregation. No assurance of the modesty, skill and attractiveness of Miss Oakley was needed by anyone who knows the pretty Diana.

EDITOR BREEDER AND SPORTSMAN: - The statement made by your correspondent, (A California), regarding the status of Miss Annie Oakley is entirely without foundation. In public estimation and in social preference Miss Oakley is the equal of anybody connected with out entertainment. You will greatly favor me if you will not publish either side of a story that should never have forced its way into the public press. N. SASBURY,

Vice-President Buffalo Bill's Wild West Co.

LONDON, Ang. 11th, 1887.

EDITOR BREEDER AND SPORTSMAN: - A communication has been called to my attention in a late issue of your paper, signed "A California." Its illiteracy and evident bias I have nothing to say about; but I myself had the pleasure of presenting Miss Oakley to Her Majesty, who complimented her very kindly upon her skill. Miss Oakley has always received a full recognition of her abilities during the four years I have had a daily opportunity of observing her career as a professional wing-shooter, and the members of the royal families who have honored us with their presence are no less fair and generous, I am sure, than are the general public.

FRANK RICHMOND,

Orator of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Co.,

LONDON, Aug. 16th, 1887.

EDITOR BREEDER AND SPORTSMAN: - In your issue of June 23d you publish a letter headed "Wild West," and signed "A California," in which he says Miss Oakley was not presented to the Queen. Had it not been that your paper is circulated largely among people who do not know Miss Oakley, I should never have answered it. Miss Oakley, as well as Madame Patti, Mary Anderson, or any other lady who distances all competitors and gets to the front has her enemies, and such letters as that have about the same effect on her as rain would have on the back of a mallard duck. That letter was written in the camp of "Wild West." There was no need of the writer signing his name. All here knew who wrote it. His bad English was a good as his signature. He is not a Californian; had he been so you could justly claim the champion liar.