Genealogy is the hunt for the unknown. And when you search and seek answers to questions long quieted, you have to be prepared for the unexpected. We all have skeletons.
For years I’ve heard stories of my Uncle Oakley’s daughter being murdered. My mom and Aunt Jean used to tell me that it was so famous, there even was a song made about it. But that’s all they could tell me. Apparently, no one ever wanted to talk about it so after my cousin’s father and grandparents passed on, there was no one who knew the actual story. So, being the Nancy Drew type, I’ve been searching for the answers…. and boy have I found some!
The story is true. I’m still working on putting my findings together but what is an indisputable fact is that about supper time on May 16, 1941, Johnson W. Agrue, his wife Nina, their two sons, William and Leo Agrue and their 12-year-old granddaughter, Mary Elizabeth BREEDEN, were all found shot to death at point blank range. Five lives taken in less than 30 minutes… with dinner still on the stove.
There are lots of twists and turns in this story. Blurred relationships and scandals. As I’ve said, we all have skeletons. The hunt for the answers and consequently trial, made Dearborn history. It made Indiana history.
Stay tune for more….
familyheirlooms 
March 24th, 2011 at 10:08 am
I believe the murder was in 1941 and Carter’s execution was in 1942.
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March 24th, 2011 at 4:38 pm
You’re right… I miss typed. Thanks for mentioning it!
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May 19th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
There is a book about the murders. “Murder: A Family Erased” by Richard E. DeBolt.
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May 19th, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Thanks for the info… I didn’t realize there was a book!
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March 8th, 2016 at 10:26 pm
You can read that 19-page book at the Lawrenceburg, IN Public Library in the Genealogy Department
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May 18th, 2011 at 9:57 pm
I grew up in this area! Me and my friends would skip school and hang out near this property. We had all heard the stories but I would love to know some real details! Please continue the blog!!!
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May 19th, 2011 at 5:19 pm
Thanks for reading and I’m glad you enjoyed it! I will be continuing… I have loads of data to sort through and it’s extremely interesting!
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July 11th, 2011 at 7:16 pm
I have 2 or 3 different magazines with the murder story. The dae was May 16, 1941. The elder Agrues were my Great-Aunt and Uncle.
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July 11th, 2011 at 9:56 pm
Awesome! I have a couple of photocopies of some magazines… the old murder rag type. Are yours the actually magazines? Because I would really love to have better copies of the pictures. Mary, the grand daughter was my first cousin once removed. Her father and my grandmother were brother and sister.
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October 26th, 2011 at 4:03 pm
Growing up in this area I have heard all the stories. What surprises me is there is never a mention of William’s wife or his children. I know for fact that he was married and he had children. I was married to William’s son.
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October 31st, 2011 at 2:04 pm
You know Ruthann, I was wondering about that myself. I’m going to reread the articles. How old was your husband when his father was killed?
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September 20th, 2019 at 8:29 pm
My Grandmother was related to this family that was erased. Her name was Nina Eva Haggard I was told that she was an orphan because of this massacre. She was born April 6th 1931. I am lost for details. I know that when the murders occurred she was 13 years old. My grandfather met her when she was just 15. They married and had 3 children. Please if anyone reads this and knows who my grandma was and has more info please enlighten me
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September 22nd, 2019 at 11:18 pm
Your grandmother was not made an orphan because of this event. Nina was born on April 7, 1931 in Mariposa, Jasper, Iowa. Her mother was Ida Agrue and none of the Agrue daughters were killed. Nina’s father was Fred Schmidt who was 36 years older than her mother. Fred was born in Kentucky on 8/17/1868 and died on 4 Feb 1936. Ida had 6 children as far as I can tell by 1935 with four living in 1935. Nina had a sister, Mary Frances Schmidt born 7/23/1925 in Dearborn, Indiana (there was another child living at that time (name unknown, who would pass before 1935) Nina was born in 1931, twin brothers Harry Herman and Oliver Volantine were born on 3/23/1935 with Harry dying 30 minutes after birth. Oliver may have died as well that day, (they were premature at 6 1/2 months) but I haven’t found his death certificate. Ida Agrue Schmidt married Lawson Gillespie after the death of Fred and is listed in the 1940 census living with Lawson but none of her children are with her which is odd because the oldest would have been just 15 and Nina just 9. Nina’s birth certificate is located on Family Search. Ida, her mother was a daughter of Johnston and Nina Agrue… so those killed were her parents, her two brothers, and her niece (and my cousin), daughter of sister Bessie. So the Agrues were your great-grandparents.
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September 22nd, 2019 at 11:24 pm
I did find Oliver’s death certificate. He also die the day he was born.
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October 30th, 2011 at 2:48 pm
my name is Richard DeBolt. i have put together a small book on the murder. i didn’t publish photos, as to protect those left behind living here in Aurora indiana. i have lots of family photos dating back to 1903, johnston and nina’s wedding picture.
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October 31st, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Are you related to the family? I’d love to see pictures.
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November 9th, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Richard, Is your book for sale? I do have the magazines that I mentioned in my post back in July. Nina Agrue was a sister to my Grandfather Bonar and Johntson Agrue was a brother to my Grandmother Minnie Agrue Bonar. I spoke with Carter’s first wife, Mary, a sister of Leona’s, to whom Carter was married at the time of the murders. Mary is now deceased. I also have several family pictures.
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December 21st, 2011 at 9:18 am
i have quite a bit of info, photos and very much love to share them with you.
richard debolt
9841 st. rd 56
aurora, in 47001
812-584-4795
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February 21st, 2021 at 12:07 am
I searched for the book and can’t find it available. I would love to see the pictures of my family. Johntson and Nina are my great grandparents. Leona Agrue after Dink’s execution married a man that died in a farm tractor accident and then remarried again the final time to Roy Emery. Roy and Leona are my dad’s parents. Leona (my grandma) died when my dad was 5 years old and then he was adopted out so we don’t have any family photos at all. My dad would love to know about his grandparents (and any of the family). If you have anything to share, please let me know if email, address, or phone number would be better. Thank you!!
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June 6th, 2013 at 8:38 am
http://books.google.com/books?id=Rkp4anMNwqUC&pg=PA126&lpg=PA126&dq=agrue+family+murders&source=bl&ots=97SK_l_Q_5&sig=QXdw4g1ecXR0srT1fr2QWwUyfNI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=HI-wUfSAC6Gn4gTQgYHoCw&ved=0CD4Q6AEwAQ#v=onepage&q=agrue%20family%20murders&f=false
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