Podcast
Questions and Answers
What brought wealth to the Osage?
What brought wealth to the Osage?
Osage County was located over massive oil deposits.
Who is Ernest Burkhart?
Who is Ernest Burkhart?
Mollie's husband.
What beliefs set Mollie apart from her two sisters (Anna and Minnie)?
What beliefs set Mollie apart from her two sisters (Anna and Minnie)?
Mollie was more respectful to Osage traditions compared to her sisters.
Which of Mollie's sisters are the first to die in the story?
Which of Mollie's sisters are the first to die in the story?
Why was it hard to determine the cause of Anna's death?
Why was it hard to determine the cause of Anna's death?
How do the Shoun brothers find out that Anna's death had been a cold-blooded murder?
How do the Shoun brothers find out that Anna's death had been a cold-blooded murder?
What evidence is found around Anna's murder site?
What evidence is found around Anna's murder site?
During Anna's funeral, was she buried in traditional Osage fashion?
During Anna's funeral, was she buried in traditional Osage fashion?
Why is oil considered a 'cursed blessing' to some Osage Indians?
Why is oil considered a 'cursed blessing' to some Osage Indians?
Who is William Hale?
Who is William Hale?
Match the following theories about Anna's culprit:
Match the following theories about Anna's culprit:
In July 1921, Lizzie is sick. Does she recover?
In July 1921, Lizzie is sick. Does she recover?
What is the theory behind Lizzie's death?
What is the theory behind Lizzie's death?
In the 19th century, the Osage lost most of their territory. How does this happen?
In the 19th century, the Osage lost most of their territory. How does this happen?
Who is Ne-kah-e-se-y?
Who is Ne-kah-e-se-y?
Did Ne-kah-e-se-y adhere to or stray away from traditional beliefs?
Did Ne-kah-e-se-y adhere to or stray away from traditional beliefs?
Why are the Osage forced off their former territories in Kansas?
Why are the Osage forced off their former territories in Kansas?
Which chief stands up to end the failing ration system?
Which chief stands up to end the failing ration system?
How would Mollie's parents be punished if Mollie is not sent to school?
How would Mollie's parents be punished if Mollie is not sent to school?
Why was the Catholic school built?
Why was the Catholic school built?
What skills did Osage girls learn in contrast to Osage boys?
What skills did Osage girls learn in contrast to Osage boys?
In 1893, what happens to the territory after it is divided into parcels?
In 1893, what happens to the territory after it is divided into parcels?
The Osage were able to negotiate for their territory's allotment.
The Osage were able to negotiate for their territory's allotment.
The Osage are not interested in the oil wells erupting.
The Osage are not interested in the oil wells erupting.
What rhetorical device is used in the passage about the black wings of spray?
What rhetorical device is used in the passage about the black wings of spray?
What rhetorical device is used in the passage about the dark, slimy mineral substance?
What rhetorical device is used in the passage about the dark, slimy mineral substance?
Bounties are offered by the victims' families despite police indifference.
Bounties are offered by the victims' families despite police indifference.
Why did private detective agencies fare better than government police?
Why did private detective agencies fare better than government police?
Who is William J. Burns?
Who is William J. Burns?
What do the private investigators think about Bill?
What do the private investigators think about Bill?
What is the cause of William Stepson's death?
What is the cause of William Stepson's death?
Why were poisons the weapon of choice for murderers in rural areas?
Why were poisons the weapon of choice for murderers in rural areas?
What does McBride's murder reveal?
What does McBride's murder reveal?
With each succeeding auction, the highest bid would dwindle.
With each succeeding auction, the highest bid would dwindle.
How did newspapers portray the Osage's oil wealth?
How did newspapers portray the Osage's oil wealth?
What happens to those who spent extravagantly when the oil boom halts?
What happens to those who spent extravagantly when the oil boom halts?
Why couldn't the Osage 'spend their money as they pleased'?
Why couldn't the Osage 'spend their money as they pleased'?
Many white settlers attempted to steal Osage wealth. Which of the following was not an injustice faced by the Osage?
Many white settlers attempted to steal Osage wealth. Which of the following was not an injustice faced by the Osage?
What was Henry Roan's relationship with Mr. Hale?
What was Henry Roan's relationship with Mr. Hale?
What was the last thing Roan did before his death?
What was the last thing Roan did before his death?
What do outsiders think is the purpose of electric lightbulbs appearing on Osage houses?
What do outsiders think is the purpose of electric lightbulbs appearing on Osage houses?
The Osage are paranoid and get watchdogs. Do they work?
The Osage are paranoid and get watchdogs. Do they work?
What makes Henry Grammer a suspect?
What makes Henry Grammer a suspect?
Whose house explodes just before three in the morning?
Whose house explodes just before three in the morning?
Do Bill and Rita survive the explosion?
Do Bill and Rita survive the explosion?
What rhetorical device is used in the passage about Mollie's unexpected survival?
What rhetorical device is used in the passage about Mollie's unexpected survival?
What contributions did Davis and Vaughan make to the Osage community?
What contributions did Davis and Vaughan make to the Osage community?
Who is the dead criminal after Hale shoots a bandit?
Who is the dead criminal after Hale shoots a bandit?
How does the Reign of Terror affect Mollie's religious beliefs and health?
How does the Reign of Terror affect Mollie's religious beliefs and health?
Study Notes
Osage Wealth and Traditions
- Osage County's wealth stemmed from abundant oil deposits, resulting in affluence from leases and royalties.
- Mollie Burkhart, unlike her sisters, showed deep respect for Osage traditions, choosing to embrace cultural practices such as wearing traditional clothing.
Key Characters and Relationships
- Ernest Burkhart is Mollie's husband, involved in the complexities of the Osage's evolving society.
- Mollie's father, Ne-kah-e-se-y, retained traditional beliefs as an Osage warrior, utilizing traditional hunting methods.
Murders and Investigations
- Anna, Mollie's sister, was the first to die under suspicious circumstances; her body showed signs of decomposition complicating the investigation.
- The discovery of a bullet wound confirmed Anna's death as murder, leading to the involvement of inexperienced lawmen who neglected essential crime scene protocols.
- The Shoun brothers uncovered traces of moonshine and car tracks at Anna's murder site.
Cultural Significance of Death
- Anna’s funeral blended Osage customs with Catholic rites, influenced by her decomposed state.
- The Osage deemed oil a "cursed blessing," as it brought wealth while undermining their cultural identity.
William Hale
- William Hale, Ernest's uncle and former cowboy, became a prominent figure in the Osage community, initially helping them financially before becoming embroiled in the crimes against them.
Government and Social Dynamics
- Lizzie, another character intertwined in the Osage story, fell ill and died, with suspicions of poisoning surrounding her death.
- Positional government policies de facto governed the Osage's finances, limiting their autonomy and prompting resentment.
Historical Context
- The erosion of Osage territory dates back to Thomas Jefferson's administration, forcibly removing them from their lands during the Louisiana Purchase era.
- The Osage faced a series of injustices, including forced removals and economic exploitation by white settlers, leading to rising tensions.
Changes Following the Oil Boom
- The booming oil economy transitioned some Osage from wealth to poverty as some settlers splurged, unaware of the impending financial shifts.
- As fears of violence escalated, the community resorted to "watchdogs," which referenced a desire for security but resulted in further tragedy.
Investigative Challenges
- The incompetency and corruption of local police highlighted the need for private detectives; William J. Burns emerged as a celebrated figure in crime solving but also faced moral ambiguities in his methods.
- The murder of figures like McBride showcased the violent pushback against those sympathetic to the Osage community.
Community Response to Crime
- The constant threat of violence led to significant paranoia within the Osage community, affecting health conditions like Mollie’s diabetes, which allegedly worsened amid the turmoil.
- Outside forces like Davis and Vaughan were perceived as potential allies but were revealed to be duplicitous, with Vaughan ultimately murdered, emphasizing the pervasive treachery.
Themes of Deception and Survival
- The ongoing "Reign of Terror" further exacerbated the Osage's feelings of vulnerability and distrust, leading Mollie to abandon her church and reflect the psychological toll of her community's plight.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the first chronicle of 'Killers of the Flower Moon.' This quiz covers key characters, events, and significant themes that make up the narrative. Dive deeper into the historical context and the Osage Nation's wealth tied to oil deposits.
