| 2923
West, mounted on his fiery little mustang, riding, roping, shooting--repeating on the mimic
scene his own experiences, and the boyhood life of his elder, more famed associates: and any
boy of his own age who can excel him in shooting, riding, and lassoing can "break every man
in the outfit," as there are none who will not risk their pile on "THE COW-BOY KID."
ANNIE OAKLEY.
This celebrated Girl Shot was born at Woodland, Ohio. Ever since a toddling child
she has had an inherent love for fire-arms and hunting, and at the age of ten she, as often as
ammunition was obtainable, would smuggle he brother's musket and steal into the woods
where game at that time was plentiful. Naturally, she was a good shot, and came home well
supplied with game, At the age of twelve she was presented with a light, muzzle-loading shot-
gun, and also a breech-loading rifle. With the shot-gun she improved rapidly, and became such
a fine shot that she rarely missed a quail or pheasant, and at the age of fourteen she had paid off
a mortgage on her mother's homestead with money earned from the game and skins shot and
trapped by herself alone--while her aim with rifle was so true that she was debarred from
entering in the turkey matches which were the popular holiday amusement in that part of
the country.
Then came a local reputation; and with
improved fire-arms she attracted wider atten-
tion, and for the past several years she has been
shooting before the public with great success,
and although she has many times beaten all rec-
ords, like the modest little girl she is she never
uses the word Champion in connection with her
name. "SITTING BULL," the great Indian Chief,
after seeing her shoot in St. Paul, Minn., adopted
her into the Sioux tribe, giving her the name of
"WATANYA CICILLA," or "LITTLE SURE
SHOT."
The first two years before the public she
devoted to Rifle and Pistol Shooting, and there
is very little in that line she has not accom-
plished. At Tiffin, Ohio, she once shot a ten-
cent piece held between the thumb and fore-
finger of an attendant at a distance of 30 feet. In
April, 1884, she attempted to beat the best rec-
ord made at balls thrown in the air--the best
record was 984, made by Dr. Ruth, MISS OAKLEY
used a Stevens' 22 cal. rifle and broke 943. In
February, 1885, she attempted the feat of shoot-
ing 5,000 balls in one day, loading the gun her-
self. In this feat she used three 16-gauge ham-
mer guns; the balls were thrown from three
traps 15 yards rise; out of the 5,000 shot at, she
broke 4,772; on the second thousand she only
missed 16, making the best 1,000 ball record, 984.
Besides the thousands of exhibitions she has
given in Europe and America, she has shot in
over fifty matches and tournaments, winning
forty-one prizes; her collection and medals and
fire-arms, all of which have been won or
presented to her, is considered one of
the finest in the world.
MISS OAKLEY is also an accom-
plished equestrienne, and her success
with the public has been greatly en-
hanced by the fact that in dress, style
and execution she is as original as she is
attractive. | 2923
West, mounted on his fiery little mustang, riding, roping, shooting--repeating on the mimic
scene his own experiences, and the boyhood life of his elder, more famed associates: and any
boy of his own age who can excel him in shooting, riding, and lassoing can "break every man
in the outfit," as there are none who will not risk their pile on "THE COW-BOY KID."
ANNIE OAKLEY.
This celebrated Girl Shot was born at Woodland, Ohio. Ever since a toddling child
she has had an inherent love for fire-arms and hunting, and at the age of ten she, as often as
ammunition was obtainable, would smuggle he brother's musket and steal into the woods
where game at that time was plentiful. Naturally, she was a good shot, and came home well
supplied with game, At the age of twelve she was presented with a light, muzzle-loading shot-
gun, and also a breech-loading rifle. With the shot-gun she improved rapidly, and became such
a fine shot that she rarely missed a quail or pheasant, and at the age of fourteen she had paid off
a mortgage on her mother's homestead with money earned from the game and skins shot and
trapped by herself alone--while her aim with rifle was so true that she was debarred from
entering in the turkey matches which were the popular holiday amusement in that part of
the country.
Then came a local reputation; and with
improved fire-arms she attracted wider atten-
tion, and for the past several years she has been
shooting before the public with great success,
and although she has many times beaten all rec-
ords, like the modest little girl she is she never
uses the word Champion in connection with her
name. "SITTING BULL," the great Indian Chief,
after seeing her shoot in St. Paul, Minn., adopted
her into the Sioux tribe, giving her the name of
"WATANYA CICILLA," or "LITTLE SURE
SHOT."
The first two years before the public she
devoted to Rifle and Pistol Shooting, and there
is very little in that line she has not accom-
plished. At Tiffin, Ohio, she once shot a ten-
cent piece held between the thumb and fore-
finger of an attendant at a distance of 30 feet. In
April, 1884, she attempted to beat the best rec-
ord made at balls thrown in the air--the best
record was 984, made by Dr. Ruth, MISS OAKLEY
used a Stevens' 22 cal. rifle and broke 943. In
February, 1885, she attempted the feat of shoot-
ing 5,000 balls in one day, loading the gun her-
self. In this feat she used three 16-gauge ham-
mer guns; the balls were thrown from three
traps 15 yards rise; out of the 5,000 shot at, she
broke 4,772; on the second thousand she only
missed 16, making the best 1,000 ball record, 984.
Besides the thousands of exhibitions she has
given in Europe and America, she has shot in
over fifty matches and tournaments, winning
forty-one prizes; her collection and medals and
fire-arms, all of which have been won or
presented to her, is considered one of
the finest in the world.
MISS OAKLEY is also an accom-
plished equestrienne, and her success
with the public has been greatly en-
hanced by the fact that in dress, style
and execution she is as original as she is
attractive. |
