#tbh one of the best things about being a reference librarian is finding weird stuff like this

[ratinthewall]

August 2, 1934; St. Charles Chronicle Vol LIII, No. 15, p. 5

[image caption: Will Eat Snakes if Fair Doesn’t Want ‘Em Chicago. - Last year one Clif Wilson ran a snake show on the Midway, at A Century of Progress, where the Street of Villages is now located.  Little has been heard about Clif since the 1933 World’s fair closed, but the following telegram addressed to Jack Morrison, of the exposition’s publicity division, may throw some light on Clif and his slithering charges: Mr. Morrison: As I have eight monster snakes and times are tough and the World’s fair don’t want me, I am forced to kill the snakes for food and invite yourself, Mr. Bartley, Mr. Lohr, Mr. Randolph, Mr. Bell and Mr. Owings to a snake food banquet.  Time and place to be announced very shortly. Sincerely, Clif Wilson P.S. This don’t go if I would be successful in getting placed at your fair.]