SPECIAL: Osage Murders 2 with Nicole Lapin

Summary

Murder: True Crime Stories - SPECIAL: Osage Murders 2 with Nicole Lapin

Introduction

In this gripping second installment of the special series honoring National Native American Heritage Month, Crime House delves deeper into the harrowing Osage Murders that transpired in the Osage Nation, Oklahoma, from 1910 to 1930. Hosted by Carter Roy and featuring Nicole Lapin, the episode unravels the complex interplay of wealth, betrayal, and relentless pursuit of justice in one of America's most sinister true crime sagas.

Background: The Osage Wealth and the Onset of the Reign of Terror

The discovery of vast oil deposits on Osage land in the early 20th century transformed the Osage Nation into one of the wealthiest communities per capita globally. This newfound prosperity, however, attracted a nefarious wave of criminals eager to exploit the Osage people for their head rights—communal mineral rights that ensured a steady income.

Carter Roy sets the stage by emphasizing the moral dilemma faced by the Osage:

"People's lives are like a story. There's a beginning, a middle, and an end. But you don't always know which part you're on." (00:06)

Personal Story: Molly Burkhart and Her Family’s Tragedy

At the heart of this narrative is Molly Burkhart, an Osage woman whose vibrant life was marred by a series of mysterious deaths within her family. Her journey exemplifies the broader terror that gripped the Osage Nation.

• Molly’s Losses:
  • Sister Minnie succumbs to a mysterious illness.
  • Sister Anna is brutally murdered with a single gunshot.
  • Mother Lizzie dies exhibiting the same symptoms as Minnie.
  • Molly herself begins to experience unexplained health issues, hinting at potential poisoning.

Nicole Lapin highlights the systemic abuse within the guardianship system:

"These guardians frequently abused their power to steal their ward's assets... the quickest option was to kill their ward and inherit their fortune." (09:42)

The Reign of Terror: Murders and Manipulation

The guardianship system, mandated by federal law, required Osage individuals without white ancestry to have a white guardian manage their finances. This system was rife with corruption, as guardians often exploited their wards financially and, in many cases, fatally.

Key Figures:

• William King Hale: A powerful and manipulative figure who orchestrated much of the terror. His extensive network included local judges, law enforcement, and criminals who facilitated his schemes.

• Ernest Burkhart: Molly’s husband, entangled in Hale’s web, ultimately becomes a pawn in the broader plot to eliminate the Osage for their wealth.

Carter Roy narrates the complicity and fear surrounding Hale:

"William was so feared nobody would say a word about him to a federal agent." (28:09)

The Investigation: FBI's Role and Unraveling the Conspiracy

As the death toll rises, Bill Smith, Rita’s husband and Molly’s brother-in-law, becomes a critical whistleblower. Frustrated by the local authorities' inaction, he hires a private detective to unearth the truth, leading to the partial exposure of the conspiracy.

Following Bill Smith’s deathbed allegations, the federal government steps in. J. Edgar Hoover, then Assistant Director of the Bureau of Investigation (predecessor to the FBI), assigns Agent Tom White to the case. Under White’s leadership, a covert operation ensues:

• Undercover Agents: Disguised as various professionals, they infiltrate the community to gather evidence.

• Breakthrough: A crucial informant—a priest who hears Molly’s pleas—alerts the Bureau, leading to Molly’s rescue and the exposure of poisoned insulin shots.

Nicole Lapin provides financial insight into the manipulation:

"William's supposed insurable interest was a $12,000 loan he said he made to Henry." (28:50)

Justice and Aftermath: Convictions and Lingering Questions

By January 1926, the investigation culminates in the arrest of William King Hale, his nephew Ernest Burkhart, and other accomplices. While several convictions ensue, the justice delivered is far from complete:

• Sentencing: Hale and John Ramsey receive life sentences for Henry Roan’s murder. Kelsey Morrison is also convicted for Anna Brown’s death.

• Partial Justice: Despite these convictions, many perpetrators evade justice. Ernest Burkhart and others are paroled early, and numerous murders remain officially unsolved.

Carter Roy reflects on the incomplete nature of justice:

"Most of the Osage murders remain officially unsolved." (40:34)

Modern Reflections: The Legacy of the Osage Murders

The episode concludes by connecting past atrocities to present-day efforts by the Osage Nation to reclaim their heritage and ensure financial stability:

• Financial Restitution: In 2000, the Osage Nation secured $380 million in damages from the federal government for mismanaged mineral rights, enabling land repurchases and economic initiatives.

• Resilience: Land acquired is now used for farming and beef production, symbolizing the tribe's enduring spirit and determination to achieve self-sufficiency.

Nicole Lapin underscores the ongoing financial implications:

"In 1925, a new law stopped non-Osage people from inheriting Osage head rights..." (40:34)

Carter Roy highlights the importance of remembrance and recognition:

"It's so important for us to remember the atrocities that were committed against them." (41:46)

Conclusion

This episode of Murder: True Crime Stories masterfully intertwines personal tragedy with systemic corruption, revealing the depth of the Osage Murders' historical impact. Through meticulous investigation and poignant storytelling, Crime House not only illuminates the dark chapter of American history but also honors the resilience of the Osage people. As the hosts conclude, they leave listeners contemplating whether true justice was ever fully achieved and the enduring legacy of these unsolved cases.

Notable Quotes

• Carter Roy:

  "If you knew there was a serial killer in your neighborhood, how far would you go to stop them?" (00:06)

• Nicole Lapin:

  "These guardians frequently abused their power to steal their ward's assets." (09:42)

• Carter Roy:

  "Most of the Osage murders remain officially unsolved." (40:34)

• Nicole Lapin:

  "You can't just buy a life insurance policy on some random person, but you can do it for someone you have a so-called insurable interest in." (28:09)

Final Thoughts

For those who have yet to listen, this episode provides a comprehensive and emotionally resonant exploration of the Osage Murders, blending historical facts with personal narratives to deliver a compelling true crime story. Crime House not only brings to light the injustices faced by the Osage Nation but also emphasizes the importance of remembering and learning from such dark periods in history.

Transcript

[Carter Roy]

This is Crime House. If you knew there was a serial killer in your neighborhood, how far would you go to stop them? Would you gather evidence, call the authorities, and turn them in? Or would you get as far away as possible in hopes of saving your own life? That's a question the Osage people had to wrestle with when they discovered killers were lurking among them. But even as the authorities turned a blind eye to what was happening, the Osage people decided to stay and fight. Some sacrificed themselves for the greater good, while others worked in the background. And in the end, many of their killers were caught. But a century later, the question we're still asking is, was justice truly served? People's lives are like a story. There's a beginning, a middle, and an end. But you don't always know which part you're on. Sometimes the final chapter arrives far too soon, and we don't always get to know the real ending. I'm Carter Roy and this is Murder True Crime, a Crime House original. Every Tuesday, I'll explore the story of a notorious murder or murders.

[Nicole Lapin]

And I'm Nicole Lapin, host of Money Crimes. Just like in Part one, I'm joining Carter to shed some extra light on the financial aspects of the story.

[Carter Roy]

Great to have you here again, Nicole. As always at Crime House, we want to express our gratitude to you, our community, for making this possible. Please support us by rating, reviewing and following Murder True Crime Stories wherever you get your podcasts. And to enhance your Murder True Crime Stories listening experience, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode ad free. And instead of having to wait for each episode of a two part series, you'll get access to both at once. Plus exciting bonus content. This is the second of two special episodes in honor of National Native American Heritage Month. In the United States, indigenous people go missing and are murdered at an alarming rate. This is especially true for indigenous women. In 2016, it was reported that their murder rate is 10 times higher than the national average. At Crime House, we want to share and spread awareness about their stories because everyone deserves justice. In these two special episodes, Nicole and I are doing a deep dive into the Osage murders, which took place in the Osage Nation in Oklahoma from 1910 to 1930. Last week we explained how the Osage Nation came into incredible wealth when vast oil deposits were discovered on their land. But this attracted a wave of criminals who were desperate to get their hands on Osage money. Then we introduced you to Molly Burkhart, an Osage woman whose family members died under suspicious circumstances one by one. While we're focusing on Molly and her family in this two parter, we want to make it clear that the reign of terror reached far beyond this one household. It's likely that many Osage people in Oklahoma lost their lives, their land, their money, or all three at the hands of manipulative criminals. Today, in part two, I'll share how some of these killers were finally brought to justice and what happened when Molly discovered who was coming after her family. All that and more coming up. Hey everyone, it's Carter. I have a favor to ask you. If you are enjoying Murder True Crime stories, I would be honored if you took a moment to rate and review us on Apple and Spotify. Your valuable feedback helps us improve and expand our reach so other true Crime fans can find us too. Your support means everything as we gather.

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[Nicole Lapin]

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[Carter Roy]

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[Nicole Lapin]

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[Carter Roy]

Klarna may get a commission Limitations, terms and conditions apply. As 1922 dawned over the Osage Nation's tribal lands in Oklahoma, most Osage citizens agreed on one very disturbing thing. They were being targeted and killed. All to get access to their wealth. There had been too many deaths and disappearances for the Osage to believe otherwise. It seemed like every member of the tribe knew someone who'd vanished or died under suspicious circumstances. Molly Burkhart, now 35 years old, knew at least three. Her sister Minnie, was the first to die after a mysterious illness. Her other sister, Anna, was murdered with a single gunshot. Their mother, Lizzie, died after experiencing the same symptoms as Minnie. Now Molly was starting to feel sick herself. As a diabetic, occasional periods of poor health were normal for her. But these new symptoms were different. Not to mention, there were widespread rumors of poisonings on the reservation. Rumors Molly must have heard herself. Molly was an intelligent, educated woman, and she knew she had something in common with the Osage people who'd gone missing or died. They all owned head rights shares, the tribe's communally owned mineral rights. As of 1922, each head right was worth about $220,000 a year in today's money. Molly had her own head rights, but as more members of her family passed, she inherited theirs, too. By the 1920s, Molly and her sister Rita each had three, equaling $630,000 per year in today's money. The sisters knew their wealth made them targets, but neither Molly nor Rita went to the local authorities for protection. That's because most Osage citizens rightfully believed the Oklahoma courts were on the killer's side. Local judges were the ones enforcing federal law by appointing white guardians to manage Osage money. That guardianship system was a major reason the Osage ended up in so much danger.

[Nicole Lapin]

And around the turn of the 20th century, a federal law required all Oage people without white ancestry to have a so called guardian manage their money. These guardians frequently abused their power to steal their ward's assets. They could use all kinds of financial mechanisms to do this, but the quickest option was to kill their ward and inherit their fortune, either by marrying them or becoming their next of kin or by partnering with a corrupt lawyer. To give you a sense of how big this business was, there were 400 professional guardians and lawyers in the town of Pawhuska, the central Osage county town where Molly lived, which only had a population of a few hundred people, by the way. Now, we're mostly talking about the Osage nation in this episode. But guardianship affected all indigenous tribes in Oklahoma.

[Carter Roy]

The Guardianship system was unjust for so many reasons. But since the Osage couldn't spend a dime without their guardian's approval, it made it a lot harder to get themselves out of the situation. In 1922, Molly Burkhart was in this exact situation. Her husband, 30 year old Ernest, served as her legal guardian. We don't know if Molly ever tried to move away from Pahukska or Osage County. But if she did, Ernest surely nixed the plan. Not to mention Molly had three children to think about. By 1922, the couple had a newborn named after Molly's late sister Anna. A one year old son nicknamed Cowboy, and a four year old called Elizabeth. With most of her family now dead, Molly didn't have much of a support system outside of her sister Rita and Molly's first husband, Henry. So Molly also leaned on the local Catholic priest. But after her family members started dying, Ernest wouldn't let Molly go to church, which was odd. But Molly didn't question him for a long time. Molly believed Ernest genuinely had her best interests at heart. He was kind and caring, watching over her and their kids. Because of Molly's diabetes, she was often tired and in pain. Ernest helped administer her insulin injections and watched the children when she was too sick. He even did his best to learn Molly's indigenous language so she wouldn't have to speak English at home. So Molly wasn't wrong to think Ernest loved her and wanted to protect her. But the truth was, Ernest was playing the long game. Molly knew Ernest spent a lot of time with his uncle, William King Hale. After moving to osage county in 1902, William had become one of the most powerful men in the region. By this point, Molly had probably heard rumors that William was targeting Osage people for their head rights. What Molly didn't know was that William was using Ernest as a pawn, too. He had been ever since William moved to Oklahoma. William even chose Molly as Ernest's wife and ordered him to propose. At first, Ernest obeyed his uncle out of respect. But now their relationship was based mostly on fear. Or so it seemed. Ernest knew William was capable of just about anything. And it wasn't just Ernest who was scared of William. It was everyone. Not only was he one of the richest men in town, he was incredibly well connected. He counted everyone from sheriffs and politicians to mobsters and bootleggers among his closest friends. Back in 1922, nobody would dare cross him. That is, nobody except for Bill Smith. Bill was married to Rita, Molly's last living sister. He'd been part of their family for a while. In fact, before getting together with Rita, he'd been married to Molly's other sister, Minnie. It's hard to tell if Bill was a villain or a hero in this story. Some people suspected him of killing Minnie, largely because of how quickly he married Rita after she died. Bill also had a business relationship with William King Hale and even claimed to have lent William a large sum of money, which wasn't reflecting well on Bill either. But on the other hand, Bill seemed truly terrified of losing Rita, not to mention his own life. He moved his family from the country to the biggest city in Osage county, hoping they'd be safer with more people around there. Bill told anyone who would listen that his former wife Minnie and his mother in law had been murdered. He spoke up at public meetings demanding an investigation. In private, he told his friends that he believed William was involved. And this behavior put him at odds with many of his fellow white men, Particularly those who benefited from what's become known as the Reign of terror, including the lawyers specializing in Native guardianship. Bill's message was getting so loud, people couldn't help but listen, even for the non natives who up until now preferred to turn a blind eye. But then something happened that made all of the murders way too hard to ignore. In February 1922, a 29 year old Osage man named William Stepson died suddenly in his bed as a rodeo champion. He was physically fit and in excellent health. No one could believe he died overnight from a fatal illness. But now with a local celebrity gone, many were determined to get to the bottom of it. Which meant the truth was finally about to surface. Way to eat a tea. You're listening to an app at PC Game Pass. Want new games on day one? Like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle? How about living out your SIMS Life with EA Play? We talking high quality PC games all for one low monthly price? We got you. Learn more at Xbox.com PCGame Pass or click the banner Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Available December 9, 2024. Game catalog varies by region and over time. Okay, that's the ad. You can go back to doing whatever you were doing now. Hey there, Carter. Roy here. If you're enjoying the chilling tales of murder true crime stories, then you'll love the Crime House original. Mind of a Serial Killer. What sets mind of a Serial Killer apart is its focus on the twisted psychology of the world's most notorious serial killers. Names like Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, the Night Stalker. Featuring expert psychological analysis from licensed clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Tristan Engels. Mind of a Serial Killer will take you into their stories like never before. So get ready to uncover what drives someone to commit the unimaginable Mind of a Serial Killer is a Crime House Original new episodes drop every Monday. Just search Mind of a Serial Killer and follow wherever you listen to podcasts.

[Nicole Lapin]

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[Carter Roy]

In February 1922, 29 year old rodeo champion William Stepson was added to the long list of Osage Headright holders who died under suspicious circumstances. After his death, a white man named Kelsey Morrison promptly married William's widow, putting himself in line to inherit the stepson head rights. As was common with sudden, unexplained deaths of native men, the old drank himself to death stereotype was brought forth. But this time it didn't hold up. Everyone knew William Stepson wasn't living with any alcohol related illnesses, and because he was well known as a rodeo star, there was a lot of attention around his death. Which was why demand actually led to an investigation being approved. In April 1922, stepson's stomach was shipped to Oklahoma City for a coroner's inquest. His friends were certain that he died from strychnine poisoning and no alcohol was found in Stepson's stomach. But the coroner didn't find poison either. However, Stepson had been dead for two months by then. Any traces of strychnine would have been long gone. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for the poison to disappear from the body. That didn't matter to the police though they declined to open a homicide investigation. Stepson's friends were outraged and they became even more upset when his 24 year old widow was found dead too. Her death wasn't investigated as a murder either, and Kelsey Morrison, the white man who'd married her, inherited both of their head rights. It was getting harder and harder for anyone with a conscience to look away. Even some of the people who profited from the guardianship system were getting concerned, but the Osage were in an impossible position. Many of the people benefiting from the murders had close connections to law enforcement. William King Hale was a deputy sheriff himself and local judges had no reason to step in. Their biggest concern was getting reelected, which wouldn't happen without the support of the area's white settlers. During election campaigns, these judges awarded their biggest donors by naming them as guardians for the wealthiest Osage people around. With the system rigged against them, the Osage had no idea where to turn for help. Bill Smith did have an idea, though. Disgusted with the authorities failure to act, he hired a private detective from Tulsa. We don't know his name, but we can assume he did his job well. Because soon Bill stopped implying that William King Hale was involved and started saying so explicitly. He told people he had enough evidence to prove William had killed Bill's sister in law, Anna Brown. He didn't go to the authorities with that evidence, but he suggested he might if the murders didn't stop soon. Molly Burkhart must have heard Bill's accusations, but she was concerned she was also being slowly poisoned. If she made any waves, she feared her death might come much sooner. And if that happened, she knew no one would be brave enough to investigate. It's difficult to overstate how powerful William King Hale was in Osage county at this time, he wasn't just a big fish in a small pond, he was a shark. He'd spent much of his adult life convincing the Osage he was their closest ally. He made big donations to local charities and provided expensive food for tribal events. He even offered cash rewards for information on the murders, including Anna's, which Bill was now accusing him of planning. After each suspicious death, William made sure he was seen publicly comforting the bereaved. And because William owned a funeral home, he made sure all the victims were buried in top of the line caskets. Though it was at a substantial markup paid for by the victims estates. In between funerals, he showered his Osage friends with lavish gifts. Ponies for the children and brand new suits for the men. He was happy to lend money to those in need. But when borrowers couldn't pay him back, they'd see a different side of William. Because as we know, William wasn't all kind smiles and free ponies. He frequently hired small time crooks to do dirty work for him. Including Kelsey Morrison, the man who married William Stepson's widow. And Kelsey was far from the only one. There were a lot of criminals living in or passing through Osage county at the time. William seemed to know most of them. From notorious interstate bootleggers to local petty thieves. Many ended up borrowing William Hale's money, then doing illegal favors for him to pay off their debts. Like Killing innocent people on his behalf. But Bill was onto him. With the help of the private detective from Tulsa, Bill figured out that William was specifically after Molly and Rita. And it wasn't hard for him to see the blueprints of William's plan. First, William would have Rita killed, so Molly inherited the entire family's head rights. Then he'd have Ernest go after Molly, his own wife, so Ernest could inherit the head rights for himself. All before turning them over to William. With a massive payday for Ernest too, no doubt. But for all this to work, Rita had to be a widow when she died. Otherwise Bill would inherit it all. Which meant Bill would likely be William's next victim. But Bill wasn't the only person William was after. There were others standing in the way of his schemes. And they weren't all Osage. One of these people was a 55 year old retired oil man named Barney McBride. The Osage liked Barney for the kindness and respect he showed the area's indigenous people. Sometime in 1922, a group of Osage people approached him about the murders happening all over their land. They knew their only hope for a real investigation was if a trusted white man went to the federal government. Barney agreed to take their concerns to Washington, DC. He arrived on August 9, 1922. When he checked into his hotel, a telegram was waiting for him with two menacing words. Be careful. And he took that advice seriously. When he went out that night at a place called the Elks Club, Barney took both his Bible and his gun. But neither protected him. As he left the club, a group of men attacked him on the Capitol's dark, empty streets. They threw a bag over Barney's head and beat him, viciously, crushing his skull. His body was found the next morning. He'd been stripped naked, save for his socks and shoes, and stabbed more than 20 times. Clearly, someone was trying to send a message. Barney's 17 year old stepdaughter was beside herself with grief. She hired private detectives and offered a large reward. But Barney's murder was never officially solved. The case drew national headlines, including one in the Washington Post that read Conspiracy believed to kill Rich Indians. Although it cost him his life, Barney's mission was a partial success. By becoming the most prominent white victim of the Reign of Terror. Terror. He drew an unprecedented level of attention to the Osage murders. But more lives would be claimed before federal authorities finally stepped in. This episode is brought to you by Peacock and the New Original Docuseries. Making Manson. In 1969, Charles Manson and his followers committed seven brutal murders in Los Angeles that would make him infamous. Now, with access to over 100 hours of phone recordings between an incarcerated Manson and his closest confidant, a new story will unfold with shocking revelations from the man himself. Making Manson is streaming now only on Peacock. After 55 year old Barney McBride was killed in August 1922, his murder drew national media attention to the reign of terror in Osage County. But the Osage people still weren't safe. In January 1923, tribe members Joe Greyhorse and Anna Sanford joined the long list of victims of Osage people killed for their head rights. It's not clear if William King Hale had anything to do with their deaths, but he certainly was involved with this next one. That January, 40 year old Henry Roan, Molly Burkhart's first husband, wasn't doing well. His current wife cheated on him. And after Henry learned about it, his addiction to alcohol spiraled. William King Hale was aware of Henry's struggles and he decided Henry would be the perfect next victim. But before William acted, he took out a $25,000 life insurance policy on Henry worth almost half a million dollars today.

[Nicole Lapin]

Here's the thing. You can't just buy a life insurance policy on some random person, but you can do it for someone you have a so called insurable interest in. In other words, someone whose death could really hurt you financially. Someone whose end of life could mean the end of your business, for example as well. Usually that would be a business partner or a spouse. In the case of Henry Roan, William's supposed insurable interest was a $12,000 loan he said he made to Henry. Whatever the reason is, you do still have to consent to having a life insurance policy taken out on you. Or at least you're supposed to.

[Carter Roy]

We don't know exactly why Henry consented to this. Maybe he really did ask to borrow money and William insisted on taking out a policy against him before forking over the cash. But it's also possible that Henry never consented at all. And William conspired with Henry's guardian to get the policy approved. Whatever the case, William was positioned to benefit from Henry's death. And he made his move one night in late January 1923. When Henry didn't come home that evening, his wife assumed he was out drinking, which she was. But William was banking on that part. He'd hired a bootlegger named John Ramsey to take Henry out on the town and give him free whiskey. Once Henry was good and drunk, William wanted John to shoot him and make it look like a suicide. John was halfway successful. On January 26, 1923, he shot and killed Henry. But the bullet entered through the back of Henry's head, which definitely didn't look like a suicide. John abandoned Henry's body in a car at the bottom of a stormwater channel and fled. Henry's body wasn't discovered until February 6th, when a couple of hunters stumbled across the crime scene. William grieved publicly for his supposed friend. He even insisted on serving as a pallbearer at Henry's funeral. Afterwards, he filed a claim under the $25,000 life insurance policy on Henry. Then, just for good measure, he started a rumor that Henry was killed by the man his wife was having an affair with. According to the bootlegger John Ramsey's later confession, Ernest Burkhart was in on this murder too. And his motive was an ugly one. Apparently, Ernest thought that Henry was going to divorce his wife and try to get back with Molly. For the moment, though, nobody knew who was responsible for killing Henry. But Bill Smith was certain he knew the answer. And he was threatening to go to the authorities about William. And this time, it looked like he might actually do it. Bill had been holding on to his proof for months. Maybe he didn't want William to know what he had on him. Or perhaps he thought William wouldn't dare actually kill him after he'd told everyone in town, if I die, William Hale did it. But Bill also had a selfish motive for keeping his evidence to himself. See, William owed Bill $6,000. So instead of exposing the King of the Osage Hills, Bill tried to blackmail him into paying off the debt. That decision would end Bill's life and William's killing spree. On March 9, 1923, 36 year old Molly brought her two year old son Cowboy to visit his Aunt Rita and Uncle Bill. Molly had planned to stay the night, but when they arrived, she found Bill and Rita in a state of panic. Dogs in their neighborhood were being poisoned. Bill and Rita took this to mean the killer, AKA William, was sending them a message. Cowboy's presence was a welcome distraction, but he had a terrible ear infection. So Molly decided her son was too sick for a sleepover. She made her apologies and took Cowboy to the doctor before heading home. At 3am the next morning, as Molly was asleep in her own bed, a five gallon keg of nitroglycerin exploded under Rita in Bill's house. The blast was so loud, it shook Molly and Ernest awake on the other side of town. Ernest knew right away what had happened. After all, he was in on the Whole plan. He knew William had hired another lowlife, someone named Asa Kirby, to plant the bomb. And he knew Molly was supposed to be there when it went off. Rita was killed instantly, as was her teenage house servant. Bill survived the blast, although his injuries were so bad he succumbed to them two days later. But he lived long enough for the family's head rights to be out of William's reach. Half of Rita's estate went to her half sister, Grace Bighorn. The rest went to Bill. And when he died from his injuries, his share of the head rights went to his daughter in Arkansas. With his dying breath, Bill told the authorities his only enemies were William King Hale and William's nephews, Byron and Ernest Burkhart. This was the last straw for Osage tribal leadership. A few days after the bombing, they sent a full delegation to Washington, D.C. they lobbied the Department of the Interior, which oversees U.S. relations with native tribes, for help. The Office of Indian affairs finally agreed to their request. They formally asked the Bureau of Investigation, which later became the FBI, to investigate. As long as the Osage helped finance it. The Bureau put its assistant director, J. Edgar Hoover, on the case. Hoover dispatched an agent to osage county on April 2, 1923, a little less than a month after the bombing. William King Hale was the Bureau's primary suspect from the beginning. Between Bill Smith's deathbed accusation and the life insurance policy taken out just weeks before Henry Rohn's murder, it wasn't hard to make the connection. The problem was, William was so feared nobody would say a word about him to a federal agent. With no one willing to come forward, the investigation stalled. But Hoover didn't drop it. In late 1924, the FBI was created and Hoover was appointed as the bureau's first director. He passed the investigation on to the special Agent in charge of Houston's field office, Tom White. In the summer of 1925, Agent White sent four undercover agents to investigate the Osage murders. Each was assigned a different Persona. A doctor, a rancher, an oilman and an insurance salesman. The last agent was particularly clever. Selling life insurance was a very effective way to find out who was afraid of dying. As the undercover agent went door to door, many of his customers said they believed William might kill them next. This gave the agent an idea. He decided to sell William a policy. And while William didn't go for it, he quickly befriended the agent. Before long, William was sharing a lot of personal information with him, including his plans to move to Florida on short notice. Of course, he had no idea he was spilling his guts to the FBI. Piece by piece, the agents built their case. They knew that if they wanted to put William away, they needed an army of witnesses to testify for the prosecution. In the fall of 1925, one critical informant came forward. Molly Burkhardt's priest. He told the bureau that Ernest was keeping Molly from attending services, but she'd gotten a message to him. She said she was afraid she was being poisoned. Thankfully, the priest's message reached the bureau in time. Agents swooped in and rushed Molly to a hospital, where her symptoms soon vanished. It turned out the medicine that was supposed to help her was actually killing her. Her insulin shots, which she got from two doctors on William's payroll, were full of poison. And it wasn't long until the investigators had all the evidence they needed. Just a couple of Months later, in January 1926, 51 year old William King Hale and his nephew, 33 year old Ernest Burkhart, were finally arrested, as were many of their accomplices. William and the bootlegger John Ramsey were convicted of murdering Henry Roan. Both got life sentences. Kelsey Morrison was convicted of killing Anna Brown on William's orders and also received a life sentence. Ernest's brother, Byron Burkhart, who participated in Anna's murder too, avoided jail by testifying for the prosecution. Ernest was also sentenced to life in prison for his role in Bill and Rita's deaths. Molly filed for divorce with Ernest and William in prison, Molly was free to go back to church and meet new people. She even fell in love again with a man named John Cobb. The couple got married in 1928, about two years after Ernest's trial. But this time, Molly was determined to do things differently. She sued to terminate her guardianship in 1931, at the age of 44, she was declared a competent adult. For the first time in her adult life, Molly controlled her own fortune. She got to enjoy it for a few more years until she died in 1937 at the age of 50 after a long illness. Considering how many people had tried to kill her, living long enough to die of natural causes was its own kind of victory. So was justice done, criminally speaking? Not really. William, John Ramsey and Ernest were all ultimately paroled after serving just part of their life sentences. Kelsey Morrison's life sentence was repealed in 1931. Two of William's hired guns dropped dead before they could testify against him. Most of the Osage murders remain officially unsolved. According to the Osage's current principal chief, Jeffrey Standing Bear, it's estimated that at least 5% of their tribe was murdered during the Reign of Terror years. In all likelihood, dozens of killers and accomplices were never charged.

[Nicole Lapin]

Well, as for the financial side of things, the news is a little better here, although there's still work to be done. In 1925, a new law stopped non Osage people from inheriting Osage head rights. Although the Great Depression ended the oil boom in Oklahoma, head rights continue to bring in a modest income for their owners and still do today. Beyond that, the Osage people were able to secure some additional financial restitution. After decades of watching the federal government mismanage their mineral rights trust, the Osage Nation filed suit in 2000. They claim the government failed to collect money owed to them for oil leases and also failed to invest that money for the benefit of head right holders. After years of legal wrangling, the government finally agreed to pay $380 million in damages, but that is just pennies on the dollar compared to what was stolen from the Osage people over the years. But it did help the tribe buy back some of their former land, starting with 43,000 acres purchased from multimedia billionaire Ted Turner.

[Carter Roy]

The Osage Nation officially took ownership of that land in 2016. They're using it for farming and beef production with the goal of providing food security for the entire tribe. If they succeed, it'll be the first time in 200 years the Osage Nation can feed their population without relying on trade with the United States, proving just how resilient the Osage people are and why it's so important for us to remember the atrocities that were committed against them. Thanks so much for listening. I'm Carter Roy and this is Murder True Crime Stories. Come back next week for the story of a new murder and all the people it affected.

[Nicole Lapin]

And I'm Nicole Lapin. Every Thursday you can tune into my show, Money Crimes to hear about the world's most famous financial crimes and how to avoid becoming a victim yourself.

[Carter Roy]

Murder True Crime Stories is a Crime House original. Here at Crime House, we want to thank each and every one of you for your support. If you like what you heard today, reach out on social media, Rimehouse on TikTok and Instagram. Don't forget to rate, review and follow Murder True Cross Crime Stories wherever you get your podcasts and to enhance your listening experience, subscribe to Crime House plus on Apple Podcasts. You'll get every episode of Murder True Crime Stories ad free, along with early access to each thrilling two part series and exciting bonus content. We'll be back next Tuesday. Murder True Crime Stories a Crime House Original is executive produced by Max Cutler. This episode of Murder True Crime Stories was produced and directed by Ron Shapiro, written by Yellen Awore, edited by Natalie Pertzofsky, Fact Checked by Beth Johnson, sound designed by Russell Nash and included production assistance from Sarah Carroll. This episode of Murder True Crime Stories was hosted by Carter Roy and Nicole Cole Lapin if you're a maintenance supervisor for a commercial property, you've had to deal with everything from leaky faucets to flickering light bulbs. But nothing's worse than that ancient boiler that's lived in the building since the day it was built 50 years ago. It's enough to make anyone lose their cool. That's where Grainger comes in. With industrial grade products and dependable, fast delivery, Granger can help with any challenge, from worn out components to everyday necessities. Call clickranger.com or just stop by Granger for the ones who get it done. You may know a serial killer's crimes now uncover the psychology behind them. Mind of a Serial Killer is a Crime House Original. New episodes drop every Monday. Just search Mind of a Serial Killer and follow wherever you listen to podcasts.