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THE SHOOTING TIMES, AND KENNEL NEWS. OFFICES: EAST TEMPLE CHAMBERS, E.C.
LONDON, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1887.
MISS ANNIE OAKLEY AT THE WILD WEST.
Some little while back, we received a letter for insertion, but declined to insert it for two reasons; one was that the letter was not identified by its writer's true name and address, and the other that it contained such palpably spiteful attacks on Miss Oakley that, as we stated at the time, we declined to find room for it in our columns.
A somewhat similar communication, however, was sent to the San Francisco Breeder and Sportsman, and friend Briggs, who doubtless saw through it all, published it. The result has been the following letter sent by Mr. Butler, Miss Annie Oakley's husband should be, in fairness, protected against wilful misrepresentations and attacks, we publish this letter: -
"You publish a letter headed 'Wild West,' and signed 'A Califronian,' in which he says Miss Oakley was not presented to the Queen. Had it not been that your paper is circulated largely amont 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 as good as his signature.
"Now, the facts are that Mr. Cody, Mr. Salsbury, Buck Taylor, Lillian Smith, and Annie Oakley were presented to the Queen. She spoke very few words and handled to the Queen. She spoke very few words and handled no guns. As regards Miss Oakley shooting a shotgun, nearly every shooter east of the Rocky Mountains knows that for the first three years before the public Miss Oakley did nothing by rifle and pistol shooting, and give it up because she could not get a living salary for doing it. This was owing to the fact that gallery or fancy rifle shooting was very easily learned, and at that time there were about 20 girls and women giving exhibitions in that line. And I find by actual count there were no less than 16 here, some of them at present playing in music halls while Miss Oakley is the only lady trap shot seen here yet. It may be well to say that she has not entirely forgotten all her rifle shooting, as was proved by her recent visit to Wimbledon, an account of which I sent you.
"To the readers of your paper I will say I may bring Miss Oakley out to California before many years, when I venture to say she will make as much of a sensation there as she has here."
To this, friend Briggs adds an editroial to the effect that "when Frank Butler and Miss Oakley go to California, they will meet with an apreciative reception."
Quite right, brother Briggs, and "so say all of us."
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ANNIE OAKLEY, the champion shootsite of the Wild West Exhibition, celebrated her twenty-first birthday, Aug. 13. Her tent was filled with presents from her English and American admirers, and the Princess of Wales sent a kindly souvenir. Interviewed by the Topical Times, Miss Oakley said that she began shooting at rabbits and squirrels, under her brother's tuituion, when she was ten years old, at her Ohio home: made her first public appearance, six years after, at Greenville; starred in a sensational play for a year; aquired the art of shooting by artificial light; was engaged with Sells' circus; then joined Buffalo Bill's band and was adopted by Sitting Bull as a daughter, with the title of Watanya Cecila, which means Little Sure Shot. She has won twenty-three medals, including one from the London Gun Club.
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THE BAT. Sept. 27, 1887.
AN interesting little book, which will doubtless find hosts of readers, has just been published on the life and adventures of "Little True Shot," whose marvellous shooting has proved one of the greatest attractions in connection with the Wild West Exhibition. Miss Annie Oakley's performances all through the season have invariably been excellent, while in her manner before an audience there is a marked absence of the affectation so frequently assumed by music-hall and circus professional shots. I regret that the limited space at my disposal prevents me giving a more extended notice of the little volume.
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The Shooting Times, AND KENNEL NEWS. OFFICES: EAST TEMPLE CHAMBERS, E.C.
LONDON, FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 30, 1887.
The Rifle Queen, published by the General Publishing Company, 280, Strand, has been sent to us, with Miss Annie Oakley's compliments. This interesting little book, which costs but threepence, narrates all the leading events in Miss Oakley's life and career. The scenes therein depicted, being very interesting and stirring to a degree, will well repay perusal.