“Over the next two decades, the Osage were forced to cede nearly a hundred million acres of their ancestral land, ultimately finding refuge in a 50-by-125-mile area in southeastern Kansas.”–David Grann, Killers of the Flower Moon
I read this book before the movie was released and I was blown away by this true account. It made me angry, sick, and I realized once again that much victimization has occurred with those in authority either turning a blind eye or being right in the center of the abuse.
The Osage like many Native American tribes, were evicted from their ancestral lands to a small area in Kansas. Imagine everyone’s surprise when oil was discovered on that land and the Osage were the wealthiest people per capita in the 1920s. Many outside the tribe were not happy with the new found wealth and charged them exorbitant prices for everyday items while also plotting how to get their wealth.
One after another, the Osage began dying–sometimes under mysterious circumstances and at other times the evidence was clear they had been murdered. There weren’t really police departments at this time to investigate and those who did try to look into things, often became victims themselves. As a result, the brand new FBI began investigating. J. Edgar Hoover chose former Texas Ranger, Tom White to lead the investigation. White and his team were successful in solving the case and in the process uncovered one of the most horrific conspiracies in the history of the United States.
This compelling narrative by David Grann draws in the reader so that you feel like you have a front row seat to all that is unfolding and it emotionally connects you to the characters, particulary Mollie Burkhart. Thanks you, Mr. Grann for shedding light on this important history.
Content Advisory: Murder, abuse, racism