The Killers Of The Flower Moon is a book by David Grann that sheds light on the Osage murders of the early 20th century. The book explores the killing of two dozen Osage Indians and reveals the story behind one of the most heinous crimes in American history. On top of that, the book culminates in the missing pieces from one of the most unforgettable incidents in the country.
Osages were a few of the remaining Indian tribes which were part of the tribal nation. Moreover, they were some of the few who complied with the growing USA policies regarding living and thriving in the new country. However, everything changed when the region discovered the oil, and the Osage people were the rightful owners of the dark gold. But who would’ve thought that the gift from gods would become their ultimate curse?
A History Of Conflicts
The conflicts between the Indians and the U.S. government have a lot of negative aspects. Firstly, the lands were taken from the Indians, and then they were forced to be a part of the Western culture. It was like one-way traffic where the tribal people had to do everything according to the U.S. government. Thus, adopting Western values for Indians was a must, and because of this, there were a lot of conflicts and disagreements, which even resulted in the loss of lives.
Favour From The Gods
Almost everything was taken from the Indian American tribes as they were forced to live in a small place. However, everything changed for Osage Indians when their home came to be the oil hub. The discovery of crude oil in the lands was a gift from the gods, and no one expected such favour. As a result, the Osage Indians became the rightful owners of millions of dollars legally. At first, it all seemed like a blessing, but no one saw the coming of the ‘reign of terror.’
Gift Turned Into Curse
The presence of oil in Osage lands made many different families very rich as they owned the mines. But everyone wanted a piece of the pie, so other white folks flew to the area in hopes of controlling the life of Indians through bureaucracy and getting benefits from the business. At first, different laws were built to preserve the wealth of Indians as if they were incompetent. Secondly, the interference of government rules was increasing in the Indian lives when it came to living, purchasing, or even spending their rightful money.
True Nature Of Human Greed
Government interference was nothing compared to the horrendous chain of events which started with the killing of Mollie Burkhart’s (a wealthy Osage) sister Anna, who was shot in the head. It began the ‘Reign Of Terror’, where some records estimate that over 60 people, mostly Osage, were killed for their money, wealth and oil. After years of investigation, the killers of some murders were caught, like Hale and his gang, but a considerable portion of the events remain untouched.
Killers Of The Flower Moon
Killers Of The Flower Moon exposes murder cases from different angles and tries to find answers to every murder. But as the author cum investigator works on various subjects, he finds the depth and complexity of the cases. Since no one is alive from that era, getting a brief account of the events is impossible. Almost twenty-four people lost their lives, but not everyone got justice. Additionally, the motive behind some of the killings remains, and no one will get an answer.
Some Secrets Still Remain Hidden
As stated earlier, it’s impossible to solve every single Osage murder because of their depths and planning. Only one thing is sure: some people got away with their evil deeds, and some Indians did not see the light of justice. Again, the murders show the human capacity for crime and the use of laws to satisfy the never-ending greed. As a result, some secrets remain, and maybe only God has all the answers.
Birth Of FBI
The Osage murders were why a new investigative agency was founded under J. Edgar Hoover. First and foremost, their duty to solve crimes while being in the public eye made them different from traditional police. Secondly, using weapons and other tactics is a significant factor in the working of the bureau.
Frequently Ask Questions
Is Killers Of The Flower Moon a true story?
Yes, the book is based on the true story of the murders of multiple Osage Indians.
Who is the protagonist in the book?
Mollie Burkhart is the prominent central figure of the book.
Who is the narrator of the book?
The author David Grann is the narrator of the book.
How many chapters are there in the book?
There are 26 chapters in the Killers Of The Flower Moon.
