The “White River Monster” was a legendary creature reportedly sighted many times in the river close to Newport. This 230-pound eight-foot gar and his brethren may have been the source of that legend. The note on the postcard claims that fishermen in the area used deep-sea tackle to land these monsters, which have been recorded to weigh as much as 250 pounds. (Courtesy of Ray Hanley.)

Watson, Tim, and Elizabeth Jacoway. Newport and Jackson County. Arcadia Publishing, 2016