Uncover the history of the Osage people and the mysterious deaths of the Osage sisters, revealing a sinister plot involving oil money. Follow the aftermath of Anna's death and the pursuit of justice, leading to a verdict and Tom White's retirement. Explore the impact on the Osage Nation and the upcoming film adaptation of the story.
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Quick takeaways
The Osage people became wealthy from oil revenues, leading to greed and betrayal within their community.
Lawman Tom White overcame challenges, including a corrupt justice system, to convict the mastermind behind the Osage murders.
Deep dives
The Osage and the Oil Reserves
The Osage people, after purchasing land deemed unsuitable for cultivation, discovered vast oil reserves beneath their territory. Each member of the tribe received substantial quarterly checks due to the oil revenues, transforming them into the 'red millionaires'. However, the newfound wealth attracted greed and betrayal.
The Mysterious Murders
Several members of the Osage nation, including sisters Minnie and Anna, were killed under suspicious circumstances. Investigations led to suspicions about Bill Smith, who married both Minnie and Rita, another sister. The corrupt justice system and bribed officials made convicting the culprits difficult.
Uncovering the Truth
Tom White, an investigator from the newly formed Bureau of Investigation, was sent to Osage County to solve the murders. Despite facing numerous challenges, including a double agent within his team, Tom White pieced together a theory implicating William Hale as the mastermind behind the crimes. Eventually, thanks to White's efforts, Hale and several others were convicted.
Today, we’re bringing you an episode from another Pushkin show, Cautionary Tales with Tim Harford. This episode is based on Killers of the Flower Moon, with permission from its author, David Grann.
Minnie Smith grew sick quite suddenly. She had been young, fit and healthy; the doctors were baffled when she died. "A peculiar wasting illness," they called it. Then, her sister Anna went missing. She was found a week later, dead, with a gunshot wound to her head. When a third sister, Rita, died in an explosion at her home, the grim pattern was clear: the family was under attack.
Lawman Tom White came to town to investigate, and uncovered a vicious plot.
This episode is the first of two cautionary tales produced in association with Apple Original Films. The Killers of the Flower Moon movie is in theaters now. It's directed by Martin Scorsese, and stars Robert DeNiro, Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone.