Paul Gordon Love, a 22-year-old World War II veteran, was a student at the University of Illinois branch campus in Galesburg, Illinois, which had opened on the grounds of the former Mayo General Hospital. On October 2, 1947, he and his roommate went to downtown Galesburg. While there, Love attempted to cash a check at a music store to purchase a record. When the clerk was unable to cash the check, Love asked for the record to be held for him, stating he would return later to pay for it. After leaving the store, he and his roommate headed to the bus stop to return to the university, but Love unexpectedly decided to go back downtown alone and said he would skip his afternoon classes. He was never seen by anyone who knew him again.
The initial days following Love's disappearance were met with a degree of optimism, as local reporters agreed to withhold immediate publicity at the request of his father, in hopes that it was not a serious matter. However, as time passed without any sign of Paul, concern grew. It was discovered that he had left behind all of his clothing and a significant amount of money, including $1,400 in a bank account that was never touched. A $20 check from his mother, which he had with him, was also never cashed. The day before he vanished, he had mailed a letter to his parents, which they received after his disappearance, giving no indication of any distress. Friends, however, reported that Love had exhibited some unusual behavior, speaking of 'battle fatigue' and a desire to return to a place in Italy he referred to as 'Hill 606,' though his military records indicated he had never been in combat.
Several leads emerged in the wake of his disappearance, but none provided any definitive answers. A motorist from Mt. Pleasant, Illinois, contacted police, stating that on October 8, 1947, he had picked up a hitchhiker matching Love's description. The hitchhiker claimed to be from a Chicago suburb and was heading to Hollywood, California. Another report came from a woman who witnessed a man being beaten and forced into a car, which then sped off in the direction of Lake Storey; however, a search of the lake yielded nothing. Years later, in 1953, the discovery of human bones near Wataga prompted speculation that they might belong to Love, but dental records ultimately ruled out this possibility. The case of Paul Gordon Love's disappearance has remained unsolved for decades, leaving a lasting mystery in the community of Galesburg.
Last Seen: Oct 2, 1947
