Background
Mary Manning was born on March 12, 1869 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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May Lillie
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Career
Her parents were physician William R. and Mary Manning. May had two sisters, Elmira and Elizabeth Manning and a younger brother, William B. Manning. May also had three half brothers, Samuel, Edward and Albert Eager.
Gordon Lillie"s wedding gift to his bride was a pony and a Marlin.22 target rifle.
She was one of the first women to perform as an equestrian and shooter in American Wild West Shows. While on tour in 1907, May gave a speech to women in Chicago, she said: “Let any normally healthy woman who is ordinarily strong screw up her courage and tackle a bucking bronco, and she will find the most fascinating pastime in the field of feminine athletic endeavor.
Eventually May and Gordon settled in Pawnee, Oklahoma on Blue Hawk Peak. They built a cabin, established a buffalo herd, and, in 1910, and completed work on their Arts and Crafts style home.
In 1917, May and Gordon adopted a son whom they named Billy.
He died in an accident at the ranch in 1925. She believed in the buffalo’s importance to the heritage of the American West and to Plains Indian culture. She starred in “May Lillie, Queen of the Buffalo Ranch,” a film produced at the ranch.
In September of that year they attended a local celebration in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
While driving back to their ranch that night Gordon lost control of their vehicle. May died on September 17, 1936 as a result of injuries sustained in the accident.
In 2011, May Lillie was inducted into the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame for her tireless work during her Wild West Show career as well as her role in the preservation of the American bison.
Achievements
Membership
May was active in the Women's Relief Corporation and was a member of the Eastern Star.
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Born
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Died
September 17, 1936 (aged 67) -
Nationality
American