Murder: True Crime Stories – The Osage Murders Part One

Release Date: November 19, 2024

Introduction

In this gripping first installment of a two-part series, hosts Carter Roy and Nicole Lapin delve into one of America's most sinister true crime cases: the Osage murders of the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of immense oil wealth in Oklahoma, the episode uncovers the dark underbelly of greed, manipulation, and murder that plagued the Osage Nation.

Historical Context: The Rise of Osage Wealth

The story begins in the early 1900s when oil was discovered on Osage lands in Oklahoma, transforming the Osage people from impoverished settlers into some of the wealthiest individuals in the country. Carter Roy sets the stage:

"The Osage became wealthy beyond their wildest dreams. All of a sudden, they went from struggling to survive to living lives of luxury." [00:06]

This newfound wealth allowed the Osage to purchase cars, homes, art, and even champion racehorses like the 1924 Kentucky Derby winner, Black Gold. However, their prosperity attracted nefarious individuals eager to seize their assets.

The Allotment and Headrights System

Nicole Lapin provides a deeper financial perspective on the Osage land allotment:

"Allotment is when land is divided up amongst a group of people... for indigenous peoples, allotment has never been a positive thing." [08:50]

Under the Dawes Act of 1887, the Osage were forced to divide their collectively owned land into individual parcels. However, the Osage strategically retained their mineral rights in a collective trust, ensuring that oil profits would remain within the tribe. This structure created “headrights,” individual shares of the tribe’s oil wealth, making each holder a lucrative target.

The Onset of Greed and Murder

As oil production boomed, so did the Osage's wealth. By 1920, each headright could generate approximately $155,000 annually in today's money. This prosperity, however, incited envy and avarice among certain outsiders. The hosts describe how predatory individuals, often under the guise of marriage or guardianship, manipulated and murdered Osage members to inherit their wealth.

Molly Burkhart: A Victim in the Crosshairs

Central to this narrative is Molly Burkhart, an Osage woman whose life becomes a focal point of the murders. Carter Roy narrates her story:

"Molly and her sisters each owned a headright and as their bank balances grew, their lifestyles became increasingly lavish." [12:31]

Molly's plight begins with familial losses—her sister Minnie dies of a "wasting illness," raising suspicions of foul play. Shortly after, her sister Anna Brown is murdered, killed by a gunshot to the back of the head. These tragedies are orchestrated to eliminate heirs and consolidate control over their headrights.

The Conspiracy Unveiled: William King Hale and Ernest Burkhardt

The plot thickens as the hosts introduce William King Hale, an influential figure known as the "King of the Osage Hills." Hale, along with his nephew Ernest Burkhardt, orchestrates a series of manipulative marriages and guardianships to gain control over the Osage wealth.

"William came up with a plan to bring head rights into the family by encouraging Ernest to court Molly." [13:03]

Ernest's marriage to Molly in 1917 is revealed as a strategic move to place him in a position of power over her headrights. Despite appearing loving and supportive, Ernest operates under Hale’s influence, making them key players in the scheme to murder for inheritance.

Systemic Abuse: The Guardianship Program

The federal government’s establishment of the Guardianship Program further complicates the Osage's plight. As Carter explains:

"Congress enacted the so-called Guardian program, which was ostensibly meant to help indigenous people like the Osage manage their wealth." [16:35]

This program allowed non-native guardians to control the finances of Osage individuals deemed incapable, facilitating the theft of their wealth and ensuring that victims remained vulnerable to exploitation and murder.

Molly’s Desperation and Suspicion

As Molly experiences more loss and begins to suspect foul play, her health deteriorates under mysterious circumstances reminiscent of her deceased family members. The tension builds as she grapples with the possibility that her trusted husband Ernest might be involved in the murders:

"If there was a killer out there, either sister could be next, giving one of them the entire family's head rights." [19:42]

Molly's struggle reaches a critical point as she realizes the depth of the conspiracy and the danger she faces, setting the stage for the next episode where justice begins to take shape.

Notable Quotes

• Carter Roy on Osage Wealth:

  "They went from struggling to survive to living lives of luxury." [00:06]

• Nicole Lapin on Allotment:

  "For indigenous peoples, allotment has never been a positive thing." [08:50]

• Carter Roy on Guardianship Abuse:

  "The guardians could funnel it into their own pockets." [19:08]

Conclusion

This episode masterfully intertwines historical facts with personal narratives, highlighting the systemic exploitation and tragic losses faced by the Osage Nation. Carter Roy and Nicole Lapin provide a compelling account of how wealth can attract danger and how resilience is tested in the face of relentless adversity.

Join Carter and Nicole next week for Part Two, where they will explore how the Osage people finally convinced the federal government to intervene, leading to the unraveling of the reign of terror orchestrated by William King Hale and his accomplices.

Credits

This episode was produced and directed by Ron Shapiro, written by Jelena War, edited by Natalie Perzapski, with fact-checking by Beth Johnson. Sound design was crafted by Russell Nash, and production assistance was provided by Sarah Carroll. Executive produced by Max Cutler.

Follow and Support

Stay connected with Murder: True Crime Stories by following Crime House on Instagram @crimehouse and wherever you listen to podcasts. Support the series by rating and reviewing it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. For an enhanced, ad-free listening experience, subscribe to Crimehouse Plus on Apple Podcasts.