THAT OTHER ‘CHAMPION RIFLE SHOT OF THE WORLD’
The much-publicized 1883 matches between rival sharpshooters Captain A.H. Bogardus and William F. “Doc” Carver cemented exhibition shooting as a popular American spectator sport, thus it was only a matter of time before a female counterpart broke into the game. At first a curiosity, Annie Oakley came to outshine all comers in skill and theatrics, outdrawing even the men in ticket sales. Her success occasioned throngs of prospective young female emulators. Unlike most, Freeda Hartzell of Chadron, Neb., held a distinct advantage.
The adopted daughter of James Orlin and Mary Boruff) Hartzell, Freeda was born in Omaha on Dec. 20,
