The Snake Handlers of Harlan, KY

In light of the recent death of a religious snake handler here in the United States, I share with you an International News Photo from October 23, 1947 of snake handler W. H. Edmonds holding aloft a poisonous timber rattlesnake during a worship service in Harlan, KY. Though outlawed, the practice obviously continues today in some remote regions of the United States.

Photo collection of John and Teenuh Foster