Annie Oakley

In this captivating short clip from Edison's Black Maria studio, we delve into the life of Annie Oakley, a legendary female marksman whose extraordinary skills captured the world's attention. Born Phoebe Ann Oakley Mozee in rural Ohio, she went on to become an icon of the Wild West, despite her petite stature. Nicknamed "Little Sure Shot," she was a prominent figure in the Buffalo Bill Wild West Show and other similar performances.In this particular appearance, Annie is accompanied by her husband, Frank E. Butler, who himself was known as a skilled marksman. A fascinating twist in their relationship began when Annie outshot Butler during a shooting contest in the 1880s; rather than allow his ego to be hurt by defeat at the hands of a woman, he fell in love with her and they married. Furthermore, Butler took on the role of managing Annie's career, helping her rise to even greater heights as she dazzled audiences with her impressive shooting feats. This short clip offers a glimpse into an extraordinary partnership that defied expectations and shaped the story of one of the Wild West's most famous figures.