YEAR: 1967

SEASON: Spring

MONTH: August

DATE: 15

STATE: Illinois

COUNTY: Cook County

LOCATION DETAILS: Along bike path in Schiller woods.

NEAREST TOWN: River Grove

NEAREST ROAD: Irving Park / East River

OBSERVED: I was taking a bike ride along Des Plaines River in 08/67. I was very tired so I sat down on this fallen log and was watching the river. Across the river in the dark shadows of the forest a shadowy figure emerged. I watched it closely while it was splashing in the water like it was looking for fresh water clams or crayfish. It scared me because it was covered with a thick coat of hair like an ape. It resembled a cross between an ape and and a cave man. As I watched it thru the ragweed and cat tails which hid me I cleared my throat and coughed. It looked all around and seemed to be agitated.

I kept sitting on the log because I lost sight of the creature. All of a sudden three huge rocks were tossed from the river toward me.They were the size of throw pillows. Moved out with my bike around the cat tail blind and saw it face to face. I yelled wow! It was moving into the cat tails for it crossed the river without a sound. Upon seeing me it picked up more rocks and hurled them at me.

It was muscular black brown In color with mud on its face very wrinkled skin. It had bulging eyes and a pushed in nose. I ran as fast as I could along the game trail along the river. As I ran I heard a howl that sounded like an air raid siren. As I ran I heard screaming and saw shadowy figures on other side of river moving. Bigfoots? I got to the parking lot on East River road and left.

ALSO NOTICED: Never went back there since 1967. Went back with my my wife this July 2014 twice. Did not see creature but did find structure made of logs in forest resembling a shelter. Took photo of it.

OTHER WITNESSES: I was there alone.

OTHER STORIES: No. Back in 1967 not much was known about Bigfoot. I was 19 years old and only told my parents who disbelieved me. These creatures do exist. They are curious but not gentle giants.

TIME AND CONDITIONS: Between 7:30am -8:30am. Bright sunshine hot and humid humid 85°f.

ENVIRONMENT: Flood plain of Des Plaines River. Creature emerged from forest or wooded area coming down a slope to river.

Follow-up investigation report by BFRO Investigator Stan Courtney:

I spoke with the witness by phone.

• The witness estimated the animal's height at six and a half foot.
• The animal was very muscular, broad shoulders with no neck.
• The animal's coloring was black and brown.
• The witness was 20 feet from the animal.
• The witness described the face as having bulging eyes, pushed in nose, little hair on face.



Aerial photo of sighting location on the bike trail along Des Plaines River just north of W Irving Park Road.




Possible structure found July 2014 in the same area.

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

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