Phobie Ann Mozze
“Annie Oakley”
1860-1926
Phobie Ann Mozee was born on Aug. 13 1860. Annie always had a passion for not only just regular shooting but also hunting. Annie Oakley was one of the first women to be famous for her sharp shooting. With her .22 caliber rifle at 90 feet she could slip a playing card and puncture it with five or six more rifle shots before it hit the ground. Her career started at a competition shoot out against Frank E. Butler. Frank, five years older than Annie lost the contest. Eventually they would marry. Frank was associated with Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show when Buffalo Bill met Annie and saw how well she shot he wanted her to join the show. Annie soon became famous for her shooting. Annie gained the nickname “Little Sure Shot” from Sitting Bull, and she never failed that name. She went on many tours to Europe and France and performed for the Queen of England and many other famous people. Annie played a huge roll in inspiration for people who wanted to shoot like she could. At the age of 60 she could still shoot just as good as she ever had and to prove it she shot 100 glass bottles in the air and hit them all! After Frank died Annie left Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show and just shot for fun when ever she could. Six years after Frank’s death Annie passed away on Nov. 3rd, 1926 at the age of 66. I believe Annie Oakley was a person of fame because she was a sharp shooter at a time when woman were expected to stay home and take care of families.
Dear Annie Oakley,
I think it is amazing that you were one of the very first women to become famous for being a sharpshooter. I also think it is amazing that you could shoot so well, being able to puncture bottles and the thin sides of cards. The one question I have to ask you is, when you could not shoot while you were in the city living with your sister except for going to the shooting range every once and a while, how did you maintain such a good shot for not being able to practice every day at such a young age?
