In the early 20th century, the Osage Nation in Oklahoma became one of the wealthiest communities in the world, thanks to massive oil deposits beneath their land. However, with such great wealth came an insidious greed that would give rise to a chapter in American history known as the "Reign of Terror". Behind this spate of violence was William "King" Hale, a man who manipulated, bribed, and murdered his way to power in a twisted bid to claim the Osage oil wealth. This post delves into Hale’s ruthless scheme, the tragic fate of the Osage, and the eventual justice brought by the fledgling FBI.
At the turn of the century, the discovery of oil on Osage lands transformed the Osage Nation into one of the richest groups per capita globally. The wealth came from headrights, shares in the mineral royalties that every Osage member was entitled to. By the 1920s, Osage families were earning tens of thousands of dollars annually, which is equivalent to millions today
This new wealth brought modern luxuries—chauffeured cars, lavish homes, and opulent lifestyles—that stood in stark contrast to the systemic racism and exploitation they still faced. The local white population, jealous and disdainful of the Osage's success, saw an opportunity to steal their wealth through any means necessary.
Original Tulsa King
Among the opportunists was William Hale, a Texas-born cattleman who arrived in Osage County in the early 1900s. Initially a rancher, Hale ingratiated himself with the local community, eventually becoming a dominant figure. By 1920, Hale was known as the "King of the Osage Hills"
Despite his friendly outward appearance, Hale harbored a sinister plan. Realizing the immense value of Osage headrights, he orchestrated a calculated series of murders, beginning with the family of his nephew's Osage wife, Mollie Burkhart. His goal was simple: eliminate Mollie’s family members so that the headrights would fall to her, and, by extension, to her husband, Ernest Burkhart, whom Hale controlled.
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| Mollie Left Anna Center Minnie Right |
The killing spree began in 1921 with the murder of Anna Brown, Mollie’s sister, whose body was found with a gunshot wound to the head. Over the next two years, Mollie's mother, Lizzie Kyle, was poisoned, and her cousin Henry Roan was shot to death. The violence culminated in 1923 when a nitroglycerin bomb obliterated the home of Mollie’s other sister, Rita Smith, killing her, her husband Bill, and their servant
These murders were part of a larger pattern of violence that claimed the lives of at least two dozen Osage people, all orchestrated to seize control of their headrights. While some deaths were staged as accidents or illnesses, others, like the bombings, were blatant acts of terror.
William Hale did not act alone. He relied on a network of corrupt officials, law enforcement, and even family members to carry out his plan:
- Bribery and intimidation: Hale’s influence reached deep into the local community. Lawmen, doctors, and even judges were either on his payroll or too terrified to speak out against him
- Ernest and Byron Burkhart, Hale’s nephews, played critical roles in the murders. Ernest, under his uncle’s direction, married Mollie and helped facilitate the killings.
- John Ramsey, a hired hand, was directly responsible for some of the killings, including the shooting of Henry Roan
As the body count grew, the Osage Tribal Council sought help from the federal government. In 1923, the newly-formed Bureau of Investigation (later the FBI) took on the case, marking their first major homicide investigation. Led by agent Tom White, the bureau used undercover operatives posing as cattle buyers, salesmen, and even herbal doctors to infiltrate the local community
The agents slowly gained the trust of the Osage, uncovering Hale’s role in the murders. The breakthrough came when Ernest Burkhart, under intense pressure, confessed to his involvement and implicated his uncle as the mastermind
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| Ernest Burkhart Mug Shot |
Despite numerous legal delays and attempts to bribe or intimidate jurors, William Hale was eventually convicted in 1929. Along with Ernest Burkhart and John Ramsey, Hale received a life sentence for his crimes. However, in a twist of fate that underscored the systemic corruption, Hale was paroled in 1947, having served just over 20 years in prison
Ernest Burkhart was also paroled in the 1950s and shockingly received a full pardon from Oklahoma’s governor in 1966.
Oklahoma Historical Society
The Osage murders not only highlighted the extent of racial violence and greed in early 20th-century America but also laid the foundation for modern law enforcement techniques, including undercover operations and the use of informants The tragedy deeply scarred the Osage Nation, leading to reforms that prevented non-Osage individuals from inheriting headrights
Today, the Osage continue to fight for justice and restitution for the exploitation of their people. The 2017 book "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann, and its subsequent film adaptation, have brought renewed attention to this dark chapter in American history
William Hale’s reign of terror exemplifies the extremes of human greed and the devastating impact it can have on communities. The Osage murders are a chilling reminder of how wealth can corrupt, but also how resilience and justice can prevail. Even today, the Osage Nation stands strong, a testament to their enduring spirit and a reminder that their story, though marked by tragedy, is one of survival and resistance.
