YEAR: 1997

SEASON: Fall

MONTH: October

DATE: 11

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Jersey County

LOCATION DETAILS: Between Otterville and Grafton.

NEAREST TOWN: Otterville

NEAREST ROAD: County Rd 9

OBSERVED: It has been several years ago but I really feel the need to tell someone this story. Several years ago when I was in my mid twenties or so me and a friend saw something on our way back from dinner in Hardin. As we were driving (at night) we passed it on the side of the road. Our headlights hit it and I remember it's feet were straddling the white line on the side of the road. It's back side was facing us. So we never saw the front of it only it's backside.

It was like it was bent over eating or picking something up and as we passed it stood up. I still have the vivid vision in my mind. When it was standing up straight, about where it's hips were, was as tall as the hood of my friends truck. Which was a small Ranger type truck. It had longer black looking fur. It had legs that seemed to have no shape. Just straight and long.

She was driving and I said "what was that!" after we had passed it. She said "I don't know!" I said turn around! She said terrified "No way!". I then said "turn around turn around"! She did but when we went back there was nothing.

We told some friends about the incident but got laughed at and teased. We decided that we would keep it between us. This is a true story. I never believed in bigfoot or things of that nature. But I can't help remember what I saw with my own eyes.

ALSO NOTICED: Through the years I have told myself it was probably some one playing a joke with a suit on or something. But I have also thought, if it was some one playing a joke we could have hit them because it was on the road just of to the side.

OTHER WITNESSES: One witness. My friend. Driving her truck. We had just eaten dinner and were chatting on the drive home.

OTHER STORIES: No. But I have wondered if there has been sightings in that area before and no one wants to say anything. Afraid of what people would think or say. Like me and my friend were. I got on this website to see if any one else has seen the same thing in that area.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: 9:00 pm. It was dark. The weather was clear maybe a little cool.

ENVIRONMENT: Fields or river bottoms on one side of the road. Thick trees and brush on the other side of the road.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with both witnesses by phone.

In summary:

• The animal was around seven eight feet tall.
• The animal was squarish in build.
• The color of the hair was black.
• The animals weight was 350 to 400 lbs.
• The animal stood up as the witnesses drove by.
• The witnesses were unable to see the 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