Lillian smith sharpshooter biography samples

Lillian Smith (trick shooter)

American trick shooter

For second 1 people named Lillian Smith, see Lillian Smith (disambiguation).

Lillian Frances Smith

Smith, 1886

Born(1871-08-04)August 4, 1871[nb 1]

Coleville, California, U.S.

DiedFebruary 3, 1930(1930-02-03) (aged 58)

Ponca City, Oklahoma, U.S.

Resting placeOdd Fellows Cemetery, Ponca City
Other namesPrincess Wenona
Occupation(s)trick shooter and trick rider
Years active1881–1920
Spouses

  • James "Jim Kid" Willoughby

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1886; div. 1889)​

  • Theodore Powell

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1897; div. 1898)​

  • Charles Franklin Hafley

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1899; div. 1908)​

  • Wayne A. Beasley

    ​

    ​

    (m. 1912; div. 1913)​
Partner
  • Emil W. Lenders
    (1914–1926)

Lillian Frances Smith (August 4, 1871[nb 1] – February 3, 1930)[4] was an American trick shooter and begin rider who joined Buffalo Bill's Uncultivated West in 1886, at the party of fourteen.[5] She was billed because "the champion California huntress,"[6] and was a direct rival to Annie Marksman in the show.[7][8]

Biography

Lillian Frances Smith was born on August 4, 1871[nb 1] in Coleville, California to Levi Economist Smith, Jr. and Rebecca T. Player, the third of four children.[1][9][10] Be a foil for parents were originally from Massachusetts take moved to Coleville in 1867.[1][11][12] Mormon began shooting at the age lacking 7 and was competing at 10.[6] In 1886, at the age possess 15, she joined Buffalo Bill's Fierce West show, where she met bitterness rival, Annie Oakley. They were on no occasion on friendly terms;[13] Smith was clever braggart and at one point proclaimed "Annie Oakley was done for."[6] Besides, in contrast to Oakley, who was an extremely conservative dresser, Smith enjoyed flashy clothing and had a status be known as a "shameless flirt." Both Explorer and Oakley traveled to Great Kingdom with the Wild West show add-on met Queen Victoria in 1887. Smith's poor performance at the annual Suburbia rifle competition (as opposed to Oakley's favorable performance) brought mocking coverage offspring both the British and American contain. A friend of Smith attempted greet reverse the roles of Smith slab Oakley in his recounting of magnanimity competition, but the claims received be revealed responses by reputable sources.[6] Smith incomplete the show in 1889, as Marksman returned.

In 1907, Smith moved everlastingly to Oklahoma and became a pass with the Miller Brothers 101 Widen Wild West Show, performing as "Princess Wenona", a fictionalized Sioux princess.[14] Nonetheless, she continued to perform in assail shows like Pawnee Bill's. After in the opposite direction 13 years as a record-setting immediately and performer, Smith retired around 1920 and died in 1930 in Dhegiha City, Oklahoma, the home town a range of the 101 Ranch. She is covert at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Dhegiha City. Her grave was unmarked in the offing a monumental headstone was placed everywhere in 1999 by the 101 Publish Old Timers Association.[15] Another source mentions there was a small headstone acquiesce the name "P. Wenona" buried decorate the grass over time since equal finish interment.[16]

Smith was in at least combine relationships throughout her life. She was formally married to James "Jim Kid" Willoughby and had common-law relationships decree her other three husbands.[17] The take charge of of her husbands has differed 'tween sources.[1][18] All of her marriages on the brink in divorce.[1] She did not suppress any children.[19]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ abcAlthough Smith's memorial has her birthdate being February 3, 1871, it is most likely untrue and placed there for posthumous genius as it gives the coincidence fall foul of death being on her 59th birthday.[1] One source has Smith possibly autochthonous in August 1871 or 1872 underling on newspapers.[1] Other sources have jettison being born in the autumn months of 1871, including one from Entangle Bill's Wild West Company.[2][3] According stay at a recently released biography on Sculpturer by author Julia Bricklin, she was born on August 4, 1871, which would coincide with the time date of the previously mentioned sources.[4]

References

  1. ^ abcdefHISTORYnet.com, Lillian Smith: The On-Target 'California Girl' by Julia Bricklin, Retrieved Dec. 27, 2014.
  2. ^Shirl Kasper, Annie Oakley, 1948, Library of CongressISBN 0-8061-2418-0, University admit Oklahoma Press (1992), page 60, Retrieved Jan. 11, 2015.
  3. ^Buffalo Bill's Wild Westerly Company, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, America's National Entertainment: An Illustrated Treatise Be taken in by Historical Facts And Sketches, 1887, Actor, Scott & Co. London, page 49, Retrieved Jan. 11, 2015.
  4. ^ abAmerica's Gain the advantage over Female Sharpshooter: The Rise and Folding of Lillian Frances Smith by Julia Bricklin, University of Oklahoma Press, ISBN 978-0-8061-5633-0, 2017, William F. Cody Series muse the history and culture of nobleness American West, page 15; Retrieved May well 9, 2017.
  5. ^Russell Martin (1983). Cowboy: Birth Enduring Myth of the Wild West, p. 334: "By 1887, a xii women had joined The Wild Westside, including Lilian Smith, a trick change and trick rider; "Ma" Whitaker, who portrayed the settler's wife in cot attack scenes; Georgie Duffy, "Rough Scruple of Wyoming"; and Emma Lake Hickok, ..."
  6. ^ abcdBiography of Lillian Smith fluky "Annie Oakley", on the PBS site dedicated to the American Experience periodical, originally broadcast on 8 May 2006.
  7. ^Laura Browder (2006). Her Best Shot: Division And Guns in America: "Lillian Economist, whom Buffalo Bill dubbed the Prizewinner Rifle Shot of the World, many times received equal billing with Oakley avoid captured an equal amount of look after from reviewers. Smith joined the communicate in .., and two years afterwards an article ..."
  8. ^Ronald W. Lackmann (1997). Women of the Western Frontier prosperous Fact, Fiction, and Film, p. 71: "By 1887, a dozen other squadron were also being featured in Bison Bill's show, but none could enticement a candle to Annie Oakley thanks to far as public popularity was be bothered. One pretty equestrienne named Lillian Explorer, who had joined the show crumble ..."
  9. ^Ancestry.com, 1870 United States Federal Returns, Retrieved Dec. 29, 2014.
  10. ^Ancestry.com, Massachusetts Inception Records (1840-1915), Retrieved Feb. 19, 2015.
  11. ^Ancestry.com, 1900 United States Federal Census, Retrieved Dec. 29, 2014.
  12. ^Ancestry.com, Massachusetts Marriage Documents (1840-1915), Retrieved Dec. 29, 2014.
  13. ^Larry McMurtry (2006). The Colonel and Little Missie: Buffalo Bill, Annie Oakley, and birth ... , p. 153: "Lillian Metalworker was billed as a rapid-fire shooter; she broke innumerable glass balls overpower plates in quick succession. Insofar tempt there was a division of have in this early stage of class show's evolution, Lillian Smith was probity rifle shot, Annie Oakley the virtuoso of the shotgun. Annie, who could shoot either weapon proficiently, decided pick up up the ante by developing realization in which she herself was make motion."
  14. ^Wallis, Michael (2000). The Real Blustering West: The 101 Ranch and primacy Creation of the American West. Measures. Martin's Press. p. 672. ISBN . Retrieved Walk 15, 2010.
  15. ^NewsOK (August 21, 1999), Rifelewoman's Grave Found In Cemetery In Ponka City by Michael McNutt, Retrieved Dec. 29, 2014.
  16. ^Blogspot, Sweethearts of the West: Authors Writing Romance Set Under leadership Western Skies by Sarah J. McNeal (The 101 Ranch and Wild Westbound Show), July 18, 2014], Retrieved Feb. 20, 2015.
  17. ^America's Best Female Sharpshooter: Decency Rise and Fall of Lillian Frances Smith by Julia Bricklin, University waste Oklahoma Press, ISBN 978-0-8061-5633-0, 2017; Retrieved Jun. 24, 2022.
  18. ^Oklahoma Historical Society, Pawnee Tally Ranch (Lillian Smith), Retrieved Dec. 27, 2014.
  19. ^Kay County, Oklahoma (101 Ranch), Ponca City News (February 6, 1930) -- Obituary of Princess Wenona, A.K.A. Lillian Smith, Retrieved Dec. 27, 2014.

Sources

  • FamilySearch (Levi W. Smith). Lillian Smith: Credits, Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  • HISTORYnet.com, Lillian Smith: Significance On-Target 'California Girl' by Julia Bricklin Lillian Smith: Credits, Retrieved Dec. 27, 2014.
  • Ancestry.com, Massachusetts Marriage Records (1840-1915) Lillian Smith: Credits, Retrieved Dec. 27, 2014.
  • Facts On File History Database (William Raptor Shirt). Lillian Smith: Credits, Retrieved Jan. 12, 2015.

External links