YEAR: 1969

SEASON: Summer

MONTH: July

DATE: 12

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Fulton County

LOCATION DETAILS: Take route 78 north from Canton, IL. In between Norris and Canton is a sign that says Brereton on right. Go straight down road for about a mile and a half and you come to a big hill. The bridge and creek are at the bottom of that hill.

NEAREST TOWN: Brereton and Norris

NEAREST ROAD: Illinois Route 78

OBSERVED: Was at a creek where I hung out almost every summer with my brothers and friends. Was probably sometime in July,1969. there was a huge tree about 300 ft. from a bridge that went across the creek. Myself and 2 younger brothers were on this bridge on our bikes. I saw something big in that tree 300 ft. away. I kept an eye on it, then I saw something same size as a full grown chimp. About 4 ft. tall, swinging from limb to limb and just playing in the tree. I told my brothers, look at that huge monkey!. We sat and watched it for 5 incredulous minutes. I could't believe my eyes. All of a sudden, I had this incredible over whelming sense of terror. Didn't see anything threatening; just felt terrified. I told my brothers we have to go and right now! I made them follow me and on the way up, my middle brother said go fast! There is a man chasing me. he was in the rear of us. We rode as fast as we could about a half mile home and he said it was a strange hairy man chasing us. I think it was a bigfoot protecting its young in the tree. It just chases us off. I didn't go back to that creek the rest of the summer. Scared me to death.

ALSO NOTICED: I never went back there that summer. went back the next year, but no more sightings or anything unusual.

OTHER WITNESSES: 3 witnesses. Myself and 2 younger brothers. I don't think they remember it. They were 10 and 9 at the time

OTHER STORIES: heard of some rumours of sightings at norris and Canton lake, which this creek connected to both and was in the middle of.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Was in late afternoon. Weather was clear, very good. Excellent vision on clear day

ENVIRONMENT: Good size creek back then that leads to Canton Lake. Woodsy, nice creek, could fish in it for small bluegill, catfish. May be dried up now. Very small bridge crosses over it.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone. His two younger brothers were too young to remember the incident.

In summary:

• What appears to have been a juvenile animal was observed playing in a tree for five minutes.
• The tree was 300 feet from the three boys.
• The animal was 4 foot tall.
• The animal was dark brown in color.
• The witness was unable to see the animal's face.
• As the boys were fleeing the younger brother saw a "big & hairy man chasing them".

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