On a chilly November evening in 1889, long before the hounds of war had reared their heads over Europe, Annie Oakley was touring Europe as part of the Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show. The show had seen much success throughout its run and tonight would be no different. The rich and powerful of Berlin turned out in droves to see the performance. Among them was the young Kaiser Wilhelm II, only a year into his reign.
As part of the show's Grand Finale, Annie Oakley would announce to the crowd that she would attempt to shoot off the ashes from the cigar from any lady or gentleman in the audience. It was unthinkable that anyone would actually volunteer and Annie would without fail preform the trick on her beleaguered husband.
This night would be different. The Kaiser was infatuated with Annie and so when Annie made her request, as she did at all her shows, he jumped out of his front row seat and clambered onto the stage. Annie was stunned and horrified but could not easily rescind the offer, especially to one of the most powerful men in Europe. Instead, she paced off her usual distance while Wilhelm placed a cigar in his mouth and smiled broadly at the audience.
Now, on this particular night the trick would be a success and the two ambitious celebrities would live on. What if, however, Annie Oakley had missed in her panic and blown off the Kaiser's head instead of his cigar?
As part of the show's Grand Finale, Annie Oakley would announce to the crowd that she would attempt to shoot off the ashes from the cigar from any lady or gentleman in the audience. It was unthinkable that anyone would actually volunteer and Annie would without fail preform the trick on her beleaguered husband.
This night would be different. The Kaiser was infatuated with Annie and so when Annie made her request, as she did at all her shows, he jumped out of his front row seat and clambered onto the stage. Annie was stunned and horrified but could not easily rescind the offer, especially to one of the most powerful men in Europe. Instead, she paced off her usual distance while Wilhelm placed a cigar in his mouth and smiled broadly at the audience.
Now, on this particular night the trick would be a success and the two ambitious celebrities would live on. What if, however, Annie Oakley had missed in her panic and blown off the Kaiser's head instead of his cigar?
