Kelsie Morrison
Osage Indian Murders
CLASSIFICATION: Serial Homicide
LOCATION
Osage County, Oklahoma, US
TIME PERIOD
1918-1931
VICTIMS
60 confirmed
Between 1910 and 1930, a series of murders targeting wealthy members of the Osage Nation occurred in Osage County, Oklahoma, leading to what was termed the "Reign of Terror." The majority of these killings, involving at least 60 confirmed deaths and possibly hundreds more, were motivated by the inheritance of lucrative oil rights that Osage individuals held. Key figures involved in the crimes included William Hale, along with accomplices Ernest Burkhart, John Ramsey, and Kelsie Morrison, all of whom were convicted for their roles in the murders. Investigative efforts by the Bureau of Investigation uncovered significant corruption among local officials, who had largely ignored the escalating violence, allowing perpetrators to exploit the legal guardianship system to gain control over Osage wealth. The case remains a pivotal example of systemic injustice against Native Americans, with ongoing discussions about the full extent of the crimes and their impact on the Osage community.
The Osage Indian murders are believed to have been motivated by the inheritance of oil rights, leading to a conspiracy among local white residents to eliminate wealthy Osage individuals. Investigators and the public speculate that the death toll may have been significantly higher than reported, with some suggesting that hundreds of deaths could have been misclassified or covered up as accidents or natural causes. William Hale and his associates are identified as the primary perpetrators behind the killings, driven by greed and a desire to control the lucrative oil wealth of the Osage Nation.
The Osage Indian Murders: A Grim Chapter in American History
The Reign of Terror
In the heartland of the United States, during the early 20th century, Osage County, Oklahoma, became the stage for a horrific series of events known as the Osage Indian murders. Between the 1910s and 1930s, the Osage Nation was gripped by a "Reign of Terror," a chilling phrase coined by newspapers to describe the increasing number of unsolved murders and suspicious deaths among the tribe's members, particularly from 1921 to 1926. At least 60 wealthy, full-blood Osage individuals were reported killed between 1918 and 1931. However, newer investigations suggest that the true death toll could have reached into the hundreds, with many deaths misreported or covered up.
The Lure of Oil Wealth
The grim tale is deeply rooted in the discovery of oil on the Osage Indian Reservation in 1897. The Osage tribe, having been forcibly relocated from Kansas in the 1870s, found themselves sitting atop a lucrative oil reserve. The U.S. Department of the Interior managed the leases for oil exploration, and the tribe's members, known as allottees, received royalties based on their land allocations. In 1907, as Oklahoma prepared for statehood, each Osage member was allotted 657 acres, and the headrights to these royalties could be inherited by legal heirs, including non-Osage. This created a system where enormous wealth flowed into the tribe, with the Osage becoming known as "the richest nation, clan, or social group of any race on earth, including the whites, man for man."
However, this wealth attracted not only oil workers but also a darker element—white opportunists and criminals eager to separate the Osage from their fortunes, even through murder. To supposedly protect the Osage wealth, the U.S. Congress passed a law in 1921 requiring courts to appoint guardians for Osage of half-blood ancestry or more. These guardians, often local white lawyers or businessmen, were meant to manage the Osage royalties and financial affairs until they demonstrated "competency." Unfortunately, this system was rife with corruption, allowing guardians to exploit their wards and, in some cases, murder them for control of their headrights.
A Wave of Murders
Between 1921 and 1923, a series of murders rocked Osage County. Eighteen Osage and three non-Osage individuals were murdered in a short span, prompting headlines like "Reign of Terror" in Colorado newspapers. The first victim was Anna Brown, a 36-year-old Osage woman whose decomposing body was discovered on May 27, 1921, in a remote ravine. Local authorities initially ruled her death accidental due to alcohol poisoning, but an autopsy later revealed she had been shot in the back of the head. Her estate was awarded to her mother, Lizzie Q. Kyle, after her death.
Kelsie Morrison, a petty criminal, later confessed to murdering Brown, implicating William Hale, a prominent local rancher, as the mastermind. Morrison also implicated Hale's nephew and Brown's former boyfriend, Byron Burkhart, in the murder. Morrison detailed how he and Burkhart had taken a heavily intoxicated Brown to Three Mile Creek, where Morrison shot her. Morrison was also linked to the murders of William Stepson and Tillie Powell Morrison, both suspected poisonings.
Hale's insidious influence extended further. Brown's cousin, Charles Whitehorn, was found shot to death near Pawhuska, while Lizzie Q. Kyle, who had inherited substantial headrights, died under suspicious circumstances. The local authorities initially attributed her death to old age.
In February 1923, Henry Roan, another Osage, was found dead in his car, shot in the head. Roan had financial ties to Hale, who had fraudulently arranged to become the beneficiary of Roan's life insurance policy. A month later, a bomb destroyed the Fairfax home of Anna's sister, Rita Smith, killing Rita, her servant Nettie Brookshire, and eventually her husband, Bill Smith, who died from injuries sustained in the blast.
A Desperate Plea for Justice
The Osage tribe sought help from white oilman Barney A. McBride, who traveled to Washington, D.C., to appeal to the federal government for assistance. Tragically, McBride was brutally murdered upon his arrival, his body found in a Maryland culvert with over twenty stab wounds. His murder made headlines in The Washington Times on August 12, 1922.
The Osage elders, desperate for justice, turned to the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), the precursor to the FBI, which sent agents to infiltrate and investigate the crime ring operating in Osage County. The BOI discovered that William Hale, known locally as the "King of Osage," was the ringleader behind the murders. Hale had exploited and corrupted local officials, ensuring that many of the murders went unprosecuted. However, the BOI's efforts eventually led to the conviction of Hale and several accomplices, including Ernest Burkhart, John Ramsey, and Kelsie Morrison.
A Legacy of Injustice
In response to the murders, the U.S. Congress changed the law in 1925 to prevent non-Osage from inheriting headrights from Osage individuals with half or more Native American ancestry. Despite this legislative change, the legacy of the Osage murders lingered. In 2000, the Osage Nation filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior for mismanagement of their assets, resulting in a $380 million settlement in 2011.
The Osage Indian murders stand as a grim testament to the greed and corruption that thrived in the shadow of wealth. The tribe's tragic history serves as a reminder of the systemic injustices faced by Native Americans and the enduring impact of these crimes on their communities.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Murders Begin
The Osage Indian murders start, leading to a series of killings in Osage County.
Anna Brown Found Dead
The decomposing body of Anna Brown is discovered, initially ruled accidental but later revealed to be a murder.
Smith Family Bombing
A bomb kills Rita Smith and her servant, escalating the violence against the Osage.
BOI Investigation Begins
The Bureau of Investigation is called to investigate the rising number of murders among the Osage.
William Hale Charged
William Hale and several accomplices are charged with multiple murders related to the Osage killings.
Ernest Burkhart Pleads Guilty
Ernest Burkhart pleads guilty to conspiracy in the murders and becomes a key witness against Hale.
Hale Convicted
William Hale is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the Osage murders.
Change in Law
Congress passes a law prohibiting non-Osage from inheriting headrights from Osage with half or more Native American ancestry.
Settlement Reached
The US government settles a lawsuit with the Osage Nation for $380 million regarding trust management of assets.
Between 1910 and 1930, a series of murders targeting wealthy members of the Osage Nation occurred in Osage County, Oklahoma, leading to what was termed the "Reign of Terror." The majority of these killings, involving at least 60 confirmed deaths and possibly hundreds more, were motivated by the inheritance of lucrative oil rights that Osage individuals held. Key figures involved in the crimes included William Hale, along with accomplices Ernest Burkhart, John Ramsey, and Kelsie Morrison, all of whom were convicted for their roles in the murders. Investigative efforts by the Bureau of Investigation uncovered significant corruption among local officials, who had largely ignored the escalating violence, allowing perpetrators to exploit the legal guardianship system to gain control over Osage wealth. The case remains a pivotal example of systemic injustice against Native Americans, with ongoing discussions about the full extent of the crimes and their impact on the Osage community.
The Osage Indian murders are believed to have been motivated by the inheritance of oil rights, leading to a conspiracy among local white residents to eliminate wealthy Osage individuals. Investigators and the public speculate that the death toll may have been significantly higher than reported, with some suggesting that hundreds of deaths could have been misclassified or covered up as accidents or natural causes. William Hale and his associates are identified as the primary perpetrators behind the killings, driven by greed and a desire to control the lucrative oil wealth of the Osage Nation.
The Osage Indian Murders: A Grim Chapter in American History
The Reign of Terror
In the heartland of the United States, during the early 20th century, Osage County, Oklahoma, became the stage for a horrific series of events known as the Osage Indian murders. Between the 1910s and 1930s, the Osage Nation was gripped by a "Reign of Terror," a chilling phrase coined by newspapers to describe the increasing number of unsolved murders and suspicious deaths among the tribe's members, particularly from 1921 to 1926. At least 60 wealthy, full-blood Osage individuals were reported killed between 1918 and 1931. However, newer investigations suggest that the true death toll could have reached into the hundreds, with many deaths misreported or covered up.
The Lure of Oil Wealth
The grim tale is deeply rooted in the discovery of oil on the Osage Indian Reservation in 1897. The Osage tribe, having been forcibly relocated from Kansas in the 1870s, found themselves sitting atop a lucrative oil reserve. The U.S. Department of the Interior managed the leases for oil exploration, and the tribe's members, known as allottees, received royalties based on their land allocations. In 1907, as Oklahoma prepared for statehood, each Osage member was allotted 657 acres, and the headrights to these royalties could be inherited by legal heirs, including non-Osage. This created a system where enormous wealth flowed into the tribe, with the Osage becoming known as "the richest nation, clan, or social group of any race on earth, including the whites, man for man."
However, this wealth attracted not only oil workers but also a darker element—white opportunists and criminals eager to separate the Osage from their fortunes, even through murder. To supposedly protect the Osage wealth, the U.S. Congress passed a law in 1921 requiring courts to appoint guardians for Osage of half-blood ancestry or more. These guardians, often local white lawyers or businessmen, were meant to manage the Osage royalties and financial affairs until they demonstrated "competency." Unfortunately, this system was rife with corruption, allowing guardians to exploit their wards and, in some cases, murder them for control of their headrights.
A Wave of Murders
Between 1921 and 1923, a series of murders rocked Osage County. Eighteen Osage and three non-Osage individuals were murdered in a short span, prompting headlines like "Reign of Terror" in Colorado newspapers. The first victim was Anna Brown, a 36-year-old Osage woman whose decomposing body was discovered on May 27, 1921, in a remote ravine. Local authorities initially ruled her death accidental due to alcohol poisoning, but an autopsy later revealed she had been shot in the back of the head. Her estate was awarded to her mother, Lizzie Q. Kyle, after her death.
Kelsie Morrison, a petty criminal, later confessed to murdering Brown, implicating William Hale, a prominent local rancher, as the mastermind. Morrison also implicated Hale's nephew and Brown's former boyfriend, Byron Burkhart, in the murder. Morrison detailed how he and Burkhart had taken a heavily intoxicated Brown to Three Mile Creek, where Morrison shot her. Morrison was also linked to the murders of William Stepson and Tillie Powell Morrison, both suspected poisonings.
Hale's insidious influence extended further. Brown's cousin, Charles Whitehorn, was found shot to death near Pawhuska, while Lizzie Q. Kyle, who had inherited substantial headrights, died under suspicious circumstances. The local authorities initially attributed her death to old age.
In February 1923, Henry Roan, another Osage, was found dead in his car, shot in the head. Roan had financial ties to Hale, who had fraudulently arranged to become the beneficiary of Roan's life insurance policy. A month later, a bomb destroyed the Fairfax home of Anna's sister, Rita Smith, killing Rita, her servant Nettie Brookshire, and eventually her husband, Bill Smith, who died from injuries sustained in the blast.
A Desperate Plea for Justice
The Osage tribe sought help from white oilman Barney A. McBride, who traveled to Washington, D.C., to appeal to the federal government for assistance. Tragically, McBride was brutally murdered upon his arrival, his body found in a Maryland culvert with over twenty stab wounds. His murder made headlines in The Washington Times on August 12, 1922.
The Osage elders, desperate for justice, turned to the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), the precursor to the FBI, which sent agents to infiltrate and investigate the crime ring operating in Osage County. The BOI discovered that William Hale, known locally as the "King of Osage," was the ringleader behind the murders. Hale had exploited and corrupted local officials, ensuring that many of the murders went unprosecuted. However, the BOI's efforts eventually led to the conviction of Hale and several accomplices, including Ernest Burkhart, John Ramsey, and Kelsie Morrison.
A Legacy of Injustice
In response to the murders, the U.S. Congress changed the law in 1925 to prevent non-Osage from inheriting headrights from Osage individuals with half or more Native American ancestry. Despite this legislative change, the legacy of the Osage murders lingered. In 2000, the Osage Nation filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of the Interior for mismanagement of their assets, resulting in a $380 million settlement in 2011.
The Osage Indian murders stand as a grim testament to the greed and corruption that thrived in the shadow of wealth. The tribe's tragic history serves as a reminder of the systemic injustices faced by Native Americans and the enduring impact of these crimes on their communities.
Sources
No Recent News
No recent news articles found for this case. Check back later for updates.
No Evidence Submitted
No evidence found for this case. Be the first to submit evidence in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Loading comments...
Murders Begin
The Osage Indian murders start, leading to a series of killings in Osage County.
Anna Brown Found Dead
The decomposing body of Anna Brown is discovered, initially ruled accidental but later revealed to be a murder.
Smith Family Bombing
A bomb kills Rita Smith and her servant, escalating the violence against the Osage.
BOI Investigation Begins
The Bureau of Investigation is called to investigate the rising number of murders among the Osage.
William Hale Charged
William Hale and several accomplices are charged with multiple murders related to the Osage killings.
Ernest Burkhart Pleads Guilty
Ernest Burkhart pleads guilty to conspiracy in the murders and becomes a key witness against Hale.
Hale Convicted
William Hale is convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison for his role in the Osage murders.
Change in Law
Congress passes a law prohibiting non-Osage from inheriting headrights from Osage with half or more Native American ancestry.
Settlement Reached
The US government settles a lawsuit with the Osage Nation for $380 million regarding trust management of assets.