Lillian Smith (trick shooter)

Lillian Frances Smith was a young trick shooter and trick rider who joined Buffalo Bills Wild West Show in 1886, at the age of fifteen. She was billed as the champion California huntress, and was a direct rival to Annie Oakley in the show.

Lillian Frances Smith was born in 1871 in Coleville, California to Levi Woodbury Smith, Jr. and Rebecca T. Robinson, the third of four children. Her parents were originally from Massachusetts and moved to Coleville in 1867. Smith began shooting at the age ofand was already competing by the age of 10. In 1886, at the age of 15, she joined Buffalo Bill Codys Wild West Show, where she met her rival, Annie Oakley. Apparently, Smith and Oakley were never on very friendly terms Smith was a braggart and at one point declared Annie Oakley was done for. Moreover, in contrast to Annie, who was an extremely conservative dresser, Lillian enjoyed flashy clothing and had a reputation as a shameless flirt. Both Smith and Oakley traveled to Great Britain with the Wild West Show and met Queen Victoria in 1887. Smiths poor performance at the annual Wimbledon rifle competition brought mocking coverage by both the British and American press. A friend of Smith attempted to reverse the roles of Smith an

Source: Wikipedia