hollandsburg murders

i'm trying to do a story on this. does anyone have any information. thanks.

What do you need? Why are you going the story?

I'm looking for info on the two boys that were killed in a car fire in rural Rockville years ago. It was again mentioned recently when the two local sheriff's candidates had a debate. any info will be very much appreciated

Linda H wrote:

I'm looking for info on the two boys that were killed in a car fire in rural Rockville years ago. It was again mentioned recently when the two local sheriff's candidates had a debate. any info will be very much appreciated

One of boys name was Roger Crum. He was with his best friend and they had been to a high school class reunion if I remember correctly

Linda H wrote:

I'm looking for info on the two boys that were killed in a car fire in rural Rockville years ago. It was again mentioned recently when the two local sheriff's candidates had a debate. any info will be very much appreciated

The boys names were Roger Crum and Duke Catlin. This has been a mystery since it happened. There is so much that doesn't pan out. The main thing being there was nothing on fire around the car, not the grass or the cornfield the car was in. There are just too many things not right about the case.

steve b wrote:

<quoted text>I would like to know where the house was located. I have been going to Raccoon lake my whole life nad these murders happened when I was 6 years old, so to answer your question really just a way to answer my own thoughts.

Have you found where the house was? It is really eazy to get to. The original trailer is no longer there. A modular is there now. I need to find out the county road number as I only know it by a nick name. I found an old newspaper in my attic from when the murders first happened and it has rough sketches of the men they were looking for. I will try to find the county road number and post it for you.

Linda H wrote:

I'm looking for info on the two boys that were killed in a car fire in rural Rockville years ago. It was again mentioned recently when the two local sheriff's candidates had a debate. any info will be very much appreciated

I'm wondering why you're interested in these guys deaths. I believe that almost all the locals know what happened and why. Unfortunatly occasionally small county sheriffs departments are corrupt. A lot has to do with cash and who has the most. Welcome to Parke County.

Wanda wrote:

<quoted text>
Have you found where the house was? It is really eazy to get to. The original trailer is no longer there. A modular is there now. I need to find out the county road number as I only know it by a nick name. I found an old newspaper in my attic from when the murders first happened and it has rough sketches of the men they were looking for. I will try to find the county road number and post it for you.

no I haven't found it yet.If you find it let me know. Thank you.

steve b wrote:

i'm trying to do a story on this. does anyone have any information. thanks.

steve can you tell me if you found any new info Rodger was my best friend in the military could you please let me know thanks Randy Boylan rboylan@rochester.rr.com

debbie s wrote:

<quoted text> The boys names were Roger Crum and Duke Catlin. This has been a mystery since it happened. There is so much that doesn't pan out. The main thing being there was nothing on fire around the car, not the grass or the cornfield the car was in. There are just too many things not right about the case.

Debbie my name is Randy Boylan I was in the army with Rodger could you please give me any info you might have on the murders I thought this was an accident. please email me at rboylan@rochester.rr.com

Linda H wrote:

I'm looking for info on the two boys that were killed in a car fire in rural Rockville years ago. It was again mentioned recently when the two local sheriff's candidates had a debate. any info will be very much appreciated

One of the two boys that were killed was my brother. I can try to answer any questions you might have. My eamil is janetoo@hotmail.com

At the initial briefing at the Parke County Sheriff's office, we were advised the State Fire Marshal's office found accelerants were used. They were POSITIVE. However, later on, when it appeared boys from politically influential families were somehow involved, the story from the State Fire Marshal's office, the Parke County Sheriff's Department, and the Indiana State Troopers changed, and we were advised the car "spontaneously combusted" in an isolated wheat field (wheat was still green and about 4 inches high). Duke and Rodger just happened to pull into that field to get some sleep when they were only about 4 or 5 miles from Duke's house.

Janet Catlin Medders wrote:

At the initial briefing at the Parke County Sheriff's office, we were advised the State Fire Marshal's office found accelerants were used. They were POSITIVE. However, later on, when it appeared boys from politically influential families were somehow involved, the story from the State Fire Marshal's office, the Parke County Sheriff's Department, and the Indiana State Troopers changed, and we were advised the car "spontaneously combusted" in an isolated wheat field (wheat was still green and about 4 inches high). Duke and Rodger just happened to pull into that field to get some sleep when they were only about 4 or 5 miles from Duke's house.

Yes the Crums would agree with you how the stories they told us got changed as soon as some of our local importants got brought into this situation. I was shocked at this cover up, I have always lived here and felt safe but not anymore. How can anyone live with there conscious covering up something this horrible. These boys were not bad boys and no one deserves this kind of death and leaving behind little children on both sides. I didnt realize until this time that we have a corrupt county the way you usually think of big Cities. I wish so much someone would blow this case open and bring out the truth. They must of thought we were totally dumb families because we all came from the country but we are all much smarter than the officals that must of took a while to cook up such a ridiculious report. Everyone in the county thought they were totally evil leaders.

My name is Randy Boylan I have been trying to locate Benny for a long time is this who is writing this letter or do you know how I could reach her I was in the army with Rodger and knew both of them very well also had the occasion to meet his Mom my email is rboylan@rochester.rr.com Thank you for your time Randy Boylan

Crum Family wrote:

<quoted text>Yes the Crums would agree with you how the stories they told us got changed as soon as some of our local importants got brought into this situation. I was shocked at this cover up, I have always lived here and felt safe but not anymore. How can anyone live with there conscious covering up something this horrible. These boys were not bad boys and no one deserves this kind of death and leaving behind little children on both sides. I didnt realize until this time that we have a corrupt county the way you usually think of big Cities. I wish so much someone would blow this case open and bring out the truth. They must of thought we were totally dumb families because we all came from the country but we are all much smarter than the officals that must of took a while to cook up such a ridiculious report. Everyone in the county thought they were totally evil leaders.

Randy Boylan wrote:

My name is Randy Boylan I have been trying to locate Benny for a long time is this who is writing this letter or do you know how I could reach her I was in the army with Rodger and knew both of them very well also had the occasion to meet his Mom my email is rboylan@rochester.rr.com Thank you for your time Randy Boylan <quoted text>

Hi Randy, I am one of Rodgers aunts. I know Benny lives south of Bloomingdale but I am not sure of her address. Here is her parents address so you can contact them and they can help you. Linda Schmeltz 11041 N Hwy 41 Bloomingdale, IN 47832 Hope this is of some help to you. Rodgers Mom (Lila) lives in Florida now and his Dad (Dan) lives in Pittsboro, In.

I remember this incident because I was a friend of a friend of Rogers' at the time. I remember that my entire yard was like a pond due to the heavy rainfall . I thought how weird that a car could burn with the ground so wet. I also remember a lady in my beauty shop telling me that her brother was a trooper and she wasn't supposed to tell but at least one of the boys had a gun shot wound to the head.However,my parents were friends with the coroner at the time and he said otherwise.I also remember that the keys were missing and also the license plate. I questioned that at the time,but was told that the fire was so hot that they melted. I never believed that.It was also said that the boys were so drunk and they passed out with the car running and couldn't wake up to get out of the car. It was also said at the time something about the judges' grandson being involved.Rogers' headstone, in Miller's cemetary,is really unique and almost tells the story of his life.We got the idea for my little brother's headstone from his when he was buried down there. You may also want to talk to Anita & Larry Crum from Kingman. Her brother ,Marty , died while being chased on foot by the same cop involved in the above incident. They spent tons of money having it investigated ,but never got anywhere.I am sure that the cop lied at first while the family was searching for Marty.My sister worked for the jail at onetime and if I remember correctly, she crossed one of these same officers the wrong way and was fired on bogus accusations. Hope some of this helps.

Crum Family wrote:

<quoted text>Yes the Crums would agree with you how the stories they told us got changed as soon as some of our local importants got brought into this situation. I was shocked at this cover up, I have always lived here and felt safe but not anymore. How can anyone live with there conscious covering up something this horrible. These boys were not bad boys and no one deserves this kind of death and leaving behind little children on both sides. I didnt realize until this time that we have a corrupt county the way you usually think of big Cities. I wish so much someone would blow this case open and bring out the truth. They must of thought we were totally dumb families because we all came from the country but we are all much smarter than the officals that must of took a while to cook up such a ridiculious report. Everyone in the county thought they were totally evil leaders.

I will blow this case wide open. We need to talk.

My cell is email rboylan@rochester.rr.com email asap thanks

Boylan wrote:

My cell is email rboylan@rochester.rr.com email asap thanks

We will talk soon.

I will not post anymore comments after talking with Rodgers family I am very sorry to bring this back up. I was just on line doing a google search and his name appeared. To Benny and family I am very sorry if this brought up old memories. Take care. Randy