YEAR: 1969

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: August

DATE: 9

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Fulton County

NEAREST TOWN: Norris

NEAREST ROAD: Illinois Route 78

OBSERVED: Years ago I had a strange experience as a kid. I was ten years old and I remember it was the summer time. My bedtime was 8:30 so I knew this had to have happened later in the evening as I was already in my pajamas. It was dark outside. My ex-brother-in-law had an old pick-up truck that he was always having problems with. He called my mom and asked if she could come get him as he had broken down.

We got into the car, me in my pajamas and we headed out one of the country roads that is east of Norris. As we got nearer the creek (Middle Fork of Copperas Creek) and woods there is a curve in the road. After coming out of the curve the headlights shined onto something that was crouched down behind the fence and near a fencepost. We couldn't tell what it was but it's head did stick up above the four foot fence.

It appeared to be watching my brother-in-law whose truck was just ahead of us. When we got to the truck we told him about it. He grabbed a rifle he had with him and strapped a flashlight onto it with some duct tape. I went with him as as he took off to see what this unusual creature was.

He moved his flashlight back and forth near the fence and that is when it stood up. It was really tall and was on two feet. It immediately took off running into the woods that were close- by. In two or three steps it was gone.

ALSO NOTICED: None before this.

OTHER WITNESSES: Three, me, my mom and my ex-brother-in-law

OTHER STORIES: None

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Around 10 p.m.

ENVIRONMENT: Near the creek and some woods.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness in person and also by phone. The witness' mother is no longer living and he has lost contact with his ex-brother-in-law.

In summary:

- The animal was 7 feet tall.
- The hair was whitish.
- Although the witness said the animal was huge, because of the amount of time that has passed he is unable to estimate a weight.
- The witness was unable to see the animal's face.

About BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

Stan Courtney has a special interest in wildlife audio recording. He has attended numerous BFRO Expeditions. See Stan's blog StanCourtney.com for recordings he has collected over the years.

Stan Courtney can be reached at illinois@bfro.net