ANNIE "LITTLE SURE SHOT" OAKLEY - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 10/11 - HFSID 285927

ANNIE OAKLEY
Her rare, handwritten letter to family members, discussing her health and family finances. signed as "Missie."
ALS: "Affect Missie/xxx/xxx", 2¼ pages, 6x9½. Cambridge, Maryland, no year October 11. On letterhead of  The Dixon to "Dear Fern And Sister". In full, with original spelling and grammar: "Yours rec. Jimmie is here with me. Will forclose the Mortgage on the Mag[illegible] farm. Will turn it all over to Calvin Harrington for I am to much in to bother & I would love to have A Lawyer to make out the necessary papers so I will just turn it all over to him. But I will stay here & rest for A while. We have hot & cold water, plenty clean linen & food not bad here. Want to visit the Andrews before leaving. Jimmie brought my breakfast up this morning my heart is bad, but I will rest more after he goes south, And maby he will also. She  has climbed the stairs 10 times to day & it is 11 Am now. He loves you. Bonnie, Irene, and Bessie, far more then his own flesh & blood, and would do more for either of you, of this I am sure. And I love all of my flesh & blood no matter what has happened in the past. Now the last check on the Allis Chalmers was raised from $18.00 to 27.00 so now the half brings in $54.00 a year. The extra goes to make up for way beyond debts that I haven't tried to figure out. But you see I am getting interest from that, And you do not owe me any interest. And your Mother is not to sell her farm on my account. I could sell the 9 shares of Chalmers now at about 86 or 87, so that would bring about near $800. And I think it will keep up. So just drop that worry from your list. I can get along with out it. I mean for Jimmie to have a little the best of the income for he is frail & my heart aches for him. But if I would live to finish my work, I must throw off every trouble with Jimmie here and tell your Mother to write me here for I want you to let her read this it is for her to. My hand is crippled so it is hard for me to write. God bless & keep you both. Heap of love." ANNIE OAKLEY and her husband, Frank Butler, built a home in Cambridge, Maryland in 1913. They had chosen the area for its abundant game, and prior to living in their "retirement home", which they sold in 1917 to move to Pinehurst, North Carolina, Mrs. Butler (as she preferred to be called in private life) either rented or stayed at local hotels, such as The Dixon. Annie Oakley (1860-1926), born Phoebe Anne Oakley Moses to a Quaker family in Ohio, began to shoot rabbits and quail at age nine. Within five years, she was a breadwinner for her family as a markswoman, and, at age 15, she saved her family's farm with income she had earned from shooting game. On August 23, 1876, at age 16, Annie married Frank Butler, a vaudeville performer who became her partner. Annie's self-effacing personality (on and off stage) made her a popular performer. In 1885, the Butlers joined Buffalo Bill Cody's Wild West Show, where Annie was a star for 17 years. The five-foot-tall Oakley got her name, "Little Sure Shot", from Sitting Bull and used it in her promotional materials. In 1901, she and her husband decided to retire from public life. However, shooting was in her blood, and the Butlers continued to make appearances around the country. Age did not appear to diminish her skills, although this letter mentions that her hand was crippled, and Oakley was seriously injured in an automobile accident in 1921. Although she did not think she had long to live at that time, by 1924 she was again performing. By 1925, however, she was frail and in poor health. She died on November 3, 1926, just 18 days before her husband. FERN, one of the recipients of this letter, was Oakley's niece. Oakley often sent money to her mother and nieces and nephews (as well as to orphans and others in need). The "south" she mentions in this letter is possibly Leesburg, Florida or Pinehurst, North Carolina, where the Butlers often vacationed. Accompanied by unsigned photo of Oakley (b/w, 5x7). Annie Oakley signed material is rare in any form; this is an excellent example. Slightly creased. Light show-through of writing on signature page. Fine condition.