The Osage Nation
Because oil was discovered beneath their reservation in Oklahoma, the Osage Nation became known in the 1920s as this.
Who are the richest people in the world?
Known locally as the "King of the Osage Hills," this cattleman was the mastermind behind the Osage murders
Who is William Hale?
This future director of the FBI took over the investigation and helped establish a new, modernized Bureau of Investigations.
Who is J. Edgar Hoover?
This investigative journalist and author wrote the non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI.
Who is David Grann?
What type of book is Killers of the Flower Moon
Non-fiction
This Osage woman, who married a white man named Ernest Burkhart, became the primary target of a conspiracy to steal her family's oil headrights.
Who is Mollie Burkhart?
This nephew of William Hale married Mollie and ultimately carried out the poisoning of his own wife.
Who is Ernest Burkhart?
This former Texas Ranger was assigned as the lead undercover investigator in Osage County by the Bureau.
Who is Tom White?
The original title of the book features this subtitle, highlighting the establishment of a premier federal law enforcement agency.
What is "The Birth of the FBI"?
What writing style does David Grann use to investigate real historical crimes?
What is investigative journalism/narrative nonfiction?
This term refers to the rights that entitled individual Osage members to a share of the tribe's mineral and oil wealth
What is a headright?
Ernest's brother, who served as a central conspirator and helped execute Anna Brown
Who is Bryan Burkhart?
The Bureau sent agents to Oklahoma under this official, deceptive cover to avoid suspicion.
What is an undercover insurance agent?
Grann originally traveled to Osage County in search of the headquarters for this government department before learning of the murders.
What is the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA)?
What literary technique creates tension even though readers know murders occurred?
What is suspense?
This was the devastating, fatal illness that Mollie Burkhart was officially diagnosed with, though it was later revealed she was being poisoned.
What is diabetes?
William Hale used this local corrupt physician, who helped administer the lethal slow poisons to Mollie and her family members.
Who is Dr. James Shoun?
To infiltrate the conspiracy, Tom White enlisted the help of this type of individual
What is an undercover Native American/Undercover agent?
A key, untapped historical source used by Grann during his research was the private case files from this government agency.
What is the National Archives?
What is the author’s purpose in including his own investigation near the end of the book?
To show that history was incomplete and many victims were forgotten.
The era of systematic murders of the Osage people to secure their wealth was known by this terrorizing name.
What is the Reign of Terror?
To make money on the murders, Hale and his conspirators took out these on the lives of Mollie's family members.
What are life insurance policies?
Because local law enforcement was deeply corrupt, the Bureau had to rely heavily on this kind of technical forensic evidence.
What is handwriting analysis? (forged documents, insurance records)
In his epilogue, Grann outlines the trail of this material that he found hidden in a state building in Pawhuska, proving more untold cover-ups.
What is the grand jury transcripts / private investigator files?
What does Grann reveal about historical records and investigations through his research?
They can be incomplete, biased, or hide the truth.