YEAR: 1945

SEASON: Spring

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: White County

NEAREST TOWN: Eldorado

NEAREST ROAD: The highway going to Harrisburg. Not certain

OBSERVED: I personally did not have an incident but my Aunt and Grandmother did. I am not certain the year. My aunt was a young girl and she is in her late 70's now.

My grandparents bought a cabin for a weekend get away. This cabin was very remote. It was near Eldorado and the area was called Sandy Run. There were 4 cabins on a lake surrounded by woods. Very remote.

My aunt and my mother were sleeping in the front room. My aunt awoken in the middle of the night when she heard the front screen door on the enclosed porch open. She heard footsteps. There were 3 front windows and a door looking out onto the porch. She saw a large man-like figure walk past all three windows and stop at the door. The figure bent down to look in. She said it looked like a very large man covered in red hair and had a pointed head. She was afraid and ran and got into bed with my grandparents. And never spoke of it until years later.

I have been listening to this story (only when I ask her to retell it for many years). She has never deviated from the story. Ever. My aunt would not lie to me.

As I was a young girl. My grandmother told me she was at the cabin alone in mid day. She looked out the back and saw a large ape looking creature on the cliff and descending down the cliff like no human ever would be able to. She told me that story once and I will never forget her conviction about it. My grandmother would have no reason to lie to me either. My grandmother has passed but my aunt is still living.

After these stories I have become a major bigfoot enthusiast. Everyone I know thinks I'm a nut. But there is no doubt in my mind what my grandmother and aunt saw.

I would love to meet other researchers or enthusiasts.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: One in middle of night probably summer.

One in middle of day probably summer since they didn't go to the cabin in winter

ENVIRONMENT: Forest, lake, cliff

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with both the submitter and the witness (Aunt) by phone.

In summary:

The witness watched the animal walk past all three windows and stand at the closed doorway looking into the cabin.

• The animal was upright on two feet and appeared to be built like an athletic baseball player.
• The witness estimated the animal's height at 6 1/2 foot.
• The long hair was red, like an orangutan's.
• The witness was unable to make out any facial features due to the hair covering the face.
• The head appeared to be somewhat pointed.

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