Remembering Annie Oakley

Peggy Woodlief 

For the Randolph Hub

RANDLEMAN – The October opening at St. Paul Museum is scheduled for 2 p.m. this Sunday, Oct. 15, and will feature the story of Annie Oakley, 1860-1926.

There are many stories about this incredible sharpshooter, and remarkably most of these are true. For those who wish to learn more, there are at least than two dozen biographies from which to choose.

Annie began shooting at a young age by going hunting to provide food for her large (and poor) family. When she was 15, she won a shooting contest (25-24) against a professional sharpshooter whom she married in 1876.

She joined Buffalo Bill’s Wild West show in 1885, performing with her husband until a railroad accident in 1901 brought an end to such competition.

What is not generally known, however, is the story of her unscheduled visit of several days in Randleman. This you will learn about at our October meeting, where you will be shown selections from a documentary film and hear about the Randleman visit.

On another subject, the Museum’s annual calendar will be available soon. This year’s calendar tells the story of the two rivers around Randleman — Deep and Polecat Rivers — and what they have contributed to the area. Especially outstanding, apart from the narrative, is the photography that accompanies the narratives.

Calendars should be on sale by early November. The cost will be the usual $12.

And St. Paul Museum is still at the usual site: Corner of Stout and High Point Streets.