Shortform Books

Asa Kirby: Killer, Witness, Victim (Killers of the Flower Moon)

Who was Asa Kirby? What role did he play in the Osage murders, and what happened to him? Asa Kirby was an outlaw and an explosives expert who was responsible for the explosion that killed Bill and Rita Smith. However, before he was able to confess to the murders or offer additional information, Asa Kirby died, along with an associate, Henry Grammer, who was also involved in the murders. Continue reading to learn about Asa Kirby and the Osage murders in 1920s Oklahoma.

Dick Gregg: An Outlaw Helps Crack the Osage Murder Case

Who was Dick Gregg? How did this outlaw contribute to solving the Osage murders investigation? Dick Gregg was a member of the Al Spencer gang. While he was in prison, he offered information to investigator Tom White that later lead to a huge break in the Osage murders investigation in 1920s Oklahoma. Keep reading to learn about Dick Gregg and his role in this landmark case.

Headrights Explained + How They Led to the Osage Murders

What are headrights? How did the headright system work? How did it lead to the Osage murders? The headright system was established when oil was discovered on the land of the Osage tribe. Headrights eventually led to several (if not many) murders as some people tried to co-opt the wealth of the Osage people. Read more to understand headrights and their tragic legacy.

Burt Lawson—How His Confession Led to Justice for the Osage

Who was Burt Lawson? What was his role in the Osage murder conspiracy? Burt Lawson claimed responsibility for the explosion that killed Osage woman Rita Smith and her husband Bill Smith. Lawson confessed to following the orders of William Hale, and his confession offered a substantial break in the case. Continue reading to learn more about Burt Lawson and this tragic episode in American history.

Kelsie Morrison’s Confession: A Break in the Osage Murder Case

Who was Kelsie Morrison, and what was his role in the murder of Anna Brown? How did Morrison’s confession shape the Osage murder case? Kelsie Morrison was directly responsible for Anna Brown’s murder. Later, Morrison confessed and admitted that he had participated in a murder conspiracy. That’s when the case started to come together. Keep reading to learn Kelsie Morrison’s story.

Ernest Burkhart & the Plot to Murder His Osage Inlaws

Who was Ernest Burkhart? Did he play a role in the Osage murder conspiracy in the 1920s? Ernest Burkhart is a key figure in the Osage murders. Working alongside his uncle William Hale, Burkhart systematically murdered his wife’s Osage family members in order to steal the wealth she accumulated from oil. Read about Ernest Burkhart and his trial.

Your Complete Guide to Getting Things Done Lists

How do Getting Things Done (GTD) lists help you stay organized? Can lists really keep you on track? Getting Things Done lists are some of the most important parts of the whole GTD system. There are several types of Getting Things Done lists, all of which serve different purposes, but work together in one larger organizational system. Read about the types of Getting Things Done lists and how they work.

Henry Roan’s Death: A Turning Point in the Osage Murder Case

Who was Henry Roan? Was his death part of the Osage Reign of Terror? Henry Roan was an Osage man who had a direct relationship with murder mastermind William Hale. Roan’s death eventually provided clues that helped FBI agent Tom White uncover the conspiracy. Keep reading to learn about Henry Roan’s tragic end and how it was the start of a horrific episode in Oklahoma’s history.

The Osage Murder Trial: Conspiracy, Confessions, & Lies

What happened during the Osage murder trial? Were the killers and conspirators ever brought to justice? Investigator Tom White faced several hurdles during the Osage murder trials. He battled witness tampering and the political dealings of the main conspirator, William Hale. Keep reading to learn how, in the end, White secured convictions for Hale and others during the Osage murder trials.

William Hale: The Evil Mastermind Behind the Osage Murders

Who was William Hale, and what did he have to do with the Osage murders? Was he ever convicted? William Hale, often called Bill Hale, was a local businessman who positioned himself as a friend to the Osage. Meanwhile, he was systematically murdering them and stealing their money. Keep reading to learn about the mastermind behind the Osage murders.