John Bonner’s tombstone is located behind the United Methodist Church in Aurora. On it is the traditional born, March 21, 1812, but then it says “was killed” November 23rd, 1895.

“Was killed” tells a story and it is the story we’ve chosen to begin our Historical Shiver Tour.

From Washington Gazette reported by H A Latham published Thursday, November 28th, 1895. Terrible Tragedy in Aurora the headline read. Banker and merchant J B Bonner murdered and robbed. Coroner’s jury find four persons guilty. Our town was shaken from center to circumference on Sunday by the news that Mr. J B Bonner had been murdered and robbed on Saturday night about 8 o’clock, near his home, and his body thrown over the fence into the field and not found until the next morning.

When Detective Fowler was interviewed, he shared that he, coroner Joshua Tayloe, and attorney Rodman went to Aurora Sunday afternoon on the steamer, the Gazelle. At the time of their arrival there was no suspicion as to who had committed this heinous crime. The coroner’s jury convened Sunday night, Dr. Tayloe decided the bullet wounds caused the death. The next morning Detective Fowler questioned several people, visited the scene of the tragedy, and discovered a footprint for a man’s size nine shoe. Other prints at the scene led to another suspect and both men were taken into custody and placed under secure guard. A confession was later given when one of the suspects’ employers came and talked to the accused.  

Our skit, “Wrong Step” gives the evidence and confession of one of the suspects with the haunting of the victim, Mr. John Bryan Bonner.

“Was killed” tells a story that needed to be researched and shared. We hope you will come out and join us Friday and Saturday night as we explore this and other moments in Aurora’s past. From the life of Betty of Betty Town, to that of a young butcher from one of Aurora’s illustrious grocery markets we combine history with a little horror to give you a shiver.