Devils Cave photos by Michael Murtaugh

The Legend of Devils Cave

The Legend of Devils Cave by Michael Murtaugh This is the legend of devils cave as it was related to me from a field guide at Red Oak nature center. Our trip began 2:40 pm. Thursday 6-13-13 Our group walked first to the cave and then to the nature center. After seeing the cave I had a question for the field guide… “How long had Native Americans occupy the cave in from about what year?” Her answer when we reached the nature center was a question to my question. “Did the Native American ever Occupy the cave?” There was a brief pause and then she asked. “Do you know the legend of Devils Cave?” My response was “Do tell?” She began… “Long ago.. The settler lived on one side of the river and the Native Americans on the other. To this I thought, “The fishing must have been pretty good in the spring” She went on… “The story goes there was a young brave who would steal from the settlers and bring back his trinkets and other loot and show it off to the Tribe. Chief Waubonsee warned the young brave that it was against their peoples law to steal” The young brave ignored the chief and that night road into camp on a white pony he had stolen and showed it off to his friends. Chief Waubonsee ordered the brave banished from the tribe. At this the brave laughed and left the tribe. He was never seen again.. However a few months later a glowing image was seen on the other side of the river for just moments at a time at night…This went on for weeks. Some of the tribe had an idea the glowing spirit lived in a cave down by the river…now known as devils cave. So the tribe lit a great fire at night by the cave entrance and soon later a glowing figure leaped out of the cave through the fire and into the river.” Then she asked ”What can you tell me about the brave who stole? “Well for one thing, the brave did not die when he was banished from the tribe…” “Yes” she responded “he had opened the center of a tree to find a mosey substance.” “Yes I continued, “and it was phosphorus” “Yes it glowed. He would use it to cover himself then using a blanket he would show himself only briefly to the tribe on the other side of the river. “Then he would cross the river to dwell in the cave.” “Yes, and that is the legend of devils cave” On our way back to the van, I asked my friend Brad, “Perhaps the brave survived the fire and was ok when he landed in the river?” “Yes, but I think its safe to say, he learned his lesson…” his voice trailing off into the woods and we both laughed.. I hope you enjoyed this story.. To learn more about the legend of devils cave. You can visit Red Oak forest preserve in North Aurora IL along Route 25 just a mile north of Route 56 or search for Red Oak nature center North Aurora IL.