I can’t believe the interest shown in the murders of Johnson and Nina Agrue, their sons William and Leo and their 11 year-old granddaughter Mary Breeden on May 16, 1941 in Dearborn County, Indiana. I started researching the tale a few years ago when my mother told me the story as she knew it, hearing it from her mother. It wasn’t talked about much in my family. Little Mary was the daughter of my great-uncle Oakley Breeden and my first cousin once removed. Her father and my grandmother were siblings and after the murder, family members said he distanced himself from everyone.
I’ve managed to gather quite a bit of info, but there is more out there. I haven’t been able to work on my research consistently for the past couple of years, but the response I have been getting lately from other family members has renewed my interest and renewed my dedication to get to the bottom of the story.
Stay tune… more is definitely coming!
February 10th, 2012 at 11:36 pm
My grandmother is from Lawreceburg, and I have heard the story of these murders many times. My grandmother attended the funerals of the deceased, as well as the trial of Dink Carter. She told me that her aunt (either Fanny or Emmy) lived near the jail, and foiled one of Carter’s escape attempts by calling the cops when she saw him sawing through the window bars.
April 16th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
My Grandmother Nina Was Related To Those Killed…
April 16th, 2012 at 8:25 pm
http://books.google.com/books?id=If9GiGRV7a8C&pg=PA56&lpg=PA56&dq=murders+Dink+Agrue+May+16,+1941+Dearborn+County,+Indiana&source=bl&ots=y6zTZRJv-D&sig=NES0j7ZxU0ZjisMpoDw9eluMDIQ&hl=en&sa=X&ei=ocKMT8mfKYLy2QW08sjpCQ&sqi=2&ved=0CEEQ6AEwBA#v=onepage&q&f=false
April 16th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
Thanks for the link Glen. I’ve read that bit before but I think there’s more to the story. The unfortunate thing is not hardly anyone alive knows it first hand.
May 22nd, 2012 at 7:43 pm
My great grandmother, Minnie Matilda Agrue Bonar, was the sister of Johnson Agrue. My great grandfather was Basil Bonar, brother of Nina Bonar Agrue. My aunt has done a lot of research on this, and she has the original magazine done on this story.
March 27th, 2013 at 9:35 pm
I wrote an article in the LHS high school news paper on this story. I spoke with my Great Uncle Charlie Campbel who had quite a bit to say what went on in the jail house.