June 24, 1904

The War Department ordered the primitive people at the World’s Fair to wear more clothing. (Yes, the War Department. I know it doesn’t make sense, but it’s true.) We invited them here so we could learn about their culture, then we insisted that they dress more like us.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.