Lillian Smith

Lillian Frances Smith (August 4, 1871 – February 3, 1930) was a young trick shooter and trick rider who joined Buffalo Bill's 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 of 7 and was already competing by the age of 10. In 1886, at the age of 15, she joined Buffalo Bill Cody's 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. Smith's poor performance at the annual Wimbledon rifle competition (as opposed to Oakley's favorable performance) brought mocking coverage by both the British and American press. A friend of Smith attempted to reverse the roles of Smith and Oakley in his recounting of the competition (and London's reception), but the claims received public responses by reputable sources. Smith left the show in 1889 (when Oakley returned to it).

In 1907, Smith moved permanently to Oklahoma and became a fixture with the Miller Brothers 101 Ranch Wild West Show, performing as "Princess Wenona", a fictionalized Sioux princess. However, she continued to perform in other shows like Pawnee Bill's.After another 13 years as a record-setting sharpshooter and performer, Smith retired around 1920 and died in 1930 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, the home town of the 101 Ranch.She is buried at Odd Fellows Cemetery in Ponca City.Her grave was unmarked until a monumental headstone was placed there in 1999 by the 101 Ranch Old Timers Association. Another source mentions there was a small headstone with the name "P. Wenona" buried under the grass over time since her interment.

Smith was married at least five times throughout her life.The order of her husbands has differed between sources.All of her marriages ended in divorce. She did not have any children.

Although Smith's headstone has her birthdate being February 3, 1871, it is most likely incorrect and placed there for posthumous flair as it gives the coincidence of death being on her 59th birthday. One source has Smith possibly born in August 1871 or 1872 depending on newspapers. Other sources have her being born in the autumn months of 1871, including one from Buffalo Bill's Wild West Company. According to a recently released biography on Smith by author Julia Bricklin, she was born on August 4, 1871, which would coincide with the time period of the previously mentioned sources.

• "Lillian Smith: The Champion California Huntress", by Karen Kondazian, October 28, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
• Biography of Lillian Smith in "Annie Oakley", on the PBS website dedicated to the American Experience series.
• Lillian Smith at Find a Grave