"Killers Of The Flower Moon": Ernest Burkhart's Dark Role & Legacy

02 May, 2025

Could the pursuit of wealth truly drive individuals to commit heinous acts against their own family? The chilling story of Ernest Burkhart and the Osage Indian murders stands as a stark testament to the dark side of human greed and the devastating consequences of unchecked ambition.

The saga unfolds in the 1920s, a time when Oklahoma's landscape was undergoing a dramatic transformation. The discovery of oil on the Osage Nation's land brought unprecedented prosperity to the tribe. However, this newfound wealth, tragically, also cast a long shadow of violence and deceit. As the Osage people flourished, a sinister plot began to unfold, targeting their lives and their fortunes. The family of Mollie Burkhart, a prominent Osage woman, found themselves at the heart of this insidious conspiracy.

Ernest Burkhart, a white man, became intricately involved in this web of murder and betrayal. He married into the Osage community, with a dark purpose lurking beneath the surface of his union. His uncle, William Hale, a ruthless oilman, orchestrated a plan to exploit the Osage's wealth through a series of calculated killings. Burkhart, lured by the promise of riches, became a key player in Hale's deadly scheme.

Ernest Burkhart: A Profile
Full Name:	Ernest Burkhart
Known For:	Involvement in the Osage Indian Murders
Role in the Murders:	Conspirator, facilitator, and witness
Conviction:	Convicted for the killing of William E. Smith in 1926, sentenced to life imprisonment
Marriage:	Married to Mollie Burkhart, an Osage woman
Uncle:	William Hale
Death:	Died in 1986
Involvement:	Plead guilty to his involvement in the Osage murders.
Noted For:	Marrying into the Osage family, facilitating murders for financial gain.
Portrayed By:	Leonardo DiCaprio (in "Killers of the Flower Moon")

The investigation into these heinous crimes was a complex undertaking. One key break came in October 1925, when Detective Tom White received a crucial tip from Burt Lawson, an inmate at the Oklahoma State Penitentiary. Lawson revealed details of a plot involving Burkhart and Hale, implicating them in an attempt to eliminate Mollie's sister, Rita Smith, through an explosion. The evidence began to mount, exposing the depth of the conspiracy and the cruelty of its architects.

Burkhart's role, as it emerged, was chillingly complex. Although not directly responsible for the killings, he was an integral part of the operation. He observed, he facilitated, and he profited, all while those closest to him were systematically eliminated. The story of Ernest Burkhart isn't just about murder; it's about manipulation, betrayal, and the corrupting influence of wealth.

Burkhart was a participant in the Osage Indian murders, a series of killings designed to steal the oil wealth of the Osage people in Oklahoma. He was a white man who married into the Osage family, becoming the guardian of his Osage wife to gain control of her oil rights. He married into the Osage family, and following his uncle William Hale's orders, he was eventually exposed and convicted by the FBI.

The pursuit of justice was arduous, but the authorities pressed on, determined to expose the truth. By the time the first trials commenced, Burkhart had already been sentenced to life imprisonment by Oklahoma courts. The legal battles were fraught with complexities, and the first trial of Hale and Ramsey ended in a hung jury, highlighting the challenges faced in bringing these criminals to justice.

The revelations surrounding these murders shocked the nation, particularly the role of William Hale, known as "King of the Osage Hills." Hale masterminded the killings of numerous Osage individuals, driven by greed and a desire to control their valuable oil rights. Burkhart, Hales nephew, was persuaded to marry into the Osage tribe to gain their oil money when they were killed.

The story of the Osage murders is once again brought to the forefront, in Martin Scorseses new epic, "Killers of the Flower Moon." The film, based on David Granns 2017 book, explores the complex history of these events, promising a nuanced perspective on a shameful chapter in American history. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Ernest Burkhart, and Blackfeet actor Lily Gladstone as Mollie Burkhart, promising a powerful portrayal of the key figures involved.

The film brings to light the fact that many Osage people, including Mollie Burkharts family, became targets, and the Osages prosperity was met with a wave of mysterious deaths. Journalist Dennis McAuliffe investigated the suspicious death of his grandmother, Sybil Beekman Bolton, an Osage with headrights.

In the 1920s, Oklahoma's landscape was a place where the promise of wealth and opportunity collided with the dark realities of greed and violence. The Osage Nation, once a symbol of resilience and self-sufficiency, found itself at the center of a deadly conspiracy driven by the allure of oil money. The investigation into these heinous crimes was a complex undertaking.

The story of Ernest Burkhart serves as a stark reminder of the human capacity for evil and the importance of seeking justice. Burkhart was convicted for the murder of William E. Smith in 1926, and died in 1986. The narrative remains an enduring cautionary tale, reflecting the fragility of the social fabric when confronted with the corrosive power of greed and deceit.

As the story unfolds, it reveals a tapestry of relationships, betrayals, and long-held secrets. Ernest Burkhart, the nephew of the notorious William Hale, found himself entangled in a web of lies and deceit. Hales ambition led him to order the murders of several Osage people, all in a bid to secure their valuable oil rights. The FBI, in their investigation, exposed Burkhart's involvement and helped bring Hale and his accomplices to justice.

Mollie and Ernest Burkhart's story of love, loss, and survival in the face of extreme adversity makes for a compelling and important narrative. The film, set in 1920s Oklahoma, brings to life the tragic story of the Osage Nation. The film highlights the brutal killings of indigenous people and the lengths to which some would go to acquire wealth. The story of the Osage Murders remains an important reminder of a dark chapter in American history.

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File Ernest Burkhart and his wife Mollie Kyle.jpg Wikimedia Commons

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