Tracy Lowe, 36, grew up in Tahlequah and has a blended family, with three brothers and three sisters. His mom is Margie Burkhart, granddaughter of Mollie Burkhart.
Margie works for the Cherokee Nation, writing grants for a cancer program and has been with the organization for over 20 years. Tracy’s father is Andrew Lowe, who is Muscogee and Seminole.
Tracy spent part of his childhood in Skiatook and remembers one time when his mom took him into the bathroom during a tornado for safety. He said he was lucky that their house was spared.
He described David Grann as sensitive and thorough in his work, having spent years investigating the Reign of Terror. David reached out to Tracy and his mother several times during the writing of the book, and they spent a couple of weeks together during his research. Tracy and his mom Margie were appreciative of David’s sensitivity to the family’s history.
Tracy said his mother overheard conversations about the events in their home. When the book about the Reign of Terror was made into a movie, Tracy and his mother were initially shocked but ultimately appreciative of the publicity. Tracy’s mother attended a pre-screening of the movie in New York City and found it to be fairly accurate, although it was emotionally challenging for her to see the deaths portrayed on screen.
Osage News talked with Tracy Lowe, who said both he and his mother split up the duties of giving interviews to the press. Tracy said his mother doesn’t want to be in the spotlight and is a more reserved person, even though she’s done several interviews.
Editor’s Note: This conversation has been edited lightly for clarity
Osage News: How involved were you with the book when David Grann was doing his research and talking to your mom? And, what was your impression of him?
Tracy Lowe:I’ve met him twice for an extensive period of time. I think we spent about 3 or 4 hours together at OSU. The impression I got of him – he was great. He was very careful and very sensitive to the information he was sharing with us and all around a great person.
My mom and my dad took David Grann to several sites and, you know, they walked around and kind of talked about some of the events that took place. And he got a real feel for it. He said that he could actually feel some of the presence, you know, and it really probably guided his thoughts and his words he chose to put in his book.
ON: What did you and she think about the way that their [Ernest and Mollie] relationship was portrayed in the movie?
Lowe: We didn’t really talk about their relationship or any of these events growing up. My mom probably heard whispers in the kitchen from her family – from [my] grandfather Cowboy.
I have to rely on the book. I have to rely on the information that he put out there and kind of lean on some of what my mom has told me. I think it’s possible there could have been love there. I know it’s hard for people to accept. I totally understand that, because, you know, how can you commit such acts when you love this person.
ON: When you and your mom heard the book was being made into a movie, what were your thoughts? How involved was she when consulting for the movie?
Lowe: It was kind of surreal. It was really good that these stories were getting such publicity. At the same time, some of these things were akin to you. Mollie was fighting for justice.
It was kind of surreal. It was … heartbreaking as well, to see some of the deaths on screen. And I think it probably moved her just as much as it did me after I had seen it.
ON: What was her impression of Martin Scorsese and the way he was telling this story?
Lowe: Just like David Grann, he wanted to get her opinion and see how she felt and maybe get a little more insight on that relationship because he was building the movie around those two. She felt pretty good that it was in the strong hands of a great director. He has a presence, and she felt that he was a very outstanding person.
He actually came and met with several of the tribal members. And one thing I will say, he shook everyone’s hand in line. I mean, there must have been maybe 100 people there and he shook every single person’s hand and basically introduced himself.
ON: What did you both think about the way that Lily Gladstone portrayed your great-grandmother?
Lowe: She did great. I think everybody knows that. She was amazing, her acting and just off screen as well. You know, she was an amazing person. Just bright, enthusiastic and wanted to put everything she had into the role. And I think she executed it.
ON: What did your mom tell you about her grandmother, Mollie Kyle?
Lowe:She mostly talked about Cowboy because he was closer. What she did speak about, Mollie, is that she was a survivor. She says that word a lot even still.We have a lot to be grateful for because of her. If she hadn’t stayed so strong and reached out to try and find justice, I don’t think I would be here, and I don’t think my son would be here just simply because of that.
ON: What did your mom tell you about her dad, Cowboy?
Lowe: He was very loving. But at the same time, I believe he was torn. I think his identity was a big question for him because, as I keep referring back to – on one hand, you have Ernest and you have Mollie. Having Ernest as a father probably cast a shadow that wouldn’t be easy to walk in. I think he grew into his name, Cowboy. I heard he was a pretty rough, tough kind of guy. But as I mentioned, he was also very loving to his children and his wife. He was a sharp dresser too.
ON: What are some of the moments that stuck out to both of you in the film after you watched it?
Lowe: The Reign of Terror affected so many people. It wasn’t just our family. We understand that. And we couldn’t be more sympathetic to everybody else that is also affected.
Some of the main parts that stood out for me – I remember specifically there’s not very much of him in it, but when he brought in Cowboy, when Ernest brought in Cowboy and spoke about him. That was kind of surreal … I was like, that’s my grandfather, you know, on screen.
I guess it goes without saying, but the murders were difficult to watch because, you know, they really happened. It was really your family. It was kind of a hard pill to swallow. Kind of hard to stomach.
ON: Are you glad that the film was made and that this story is out there in the public consciousness?
Lowe:I really am. I’ve had several people come to me and say that they didn’t even ever know about that, they never even heard of it. I think it kind of opens the door for other history to come to light. I think it helps draw out more of what’s not on the surface yet and will inspire other people to talk about the past.
