The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1874-01-29

CHE DEAD SIANESE TWINS.
1 LlGATURE THAT JOINED THEN
IN LIFE AND DEATH.
heir Social Ways, their Wives and
Ranilies, and shesr Mental CharaC.
sesfssies-A Living Body Bouua so n
CoFDse.
Aiery, near Salisbury, N. e., on the 18th OF
his month, ended one of the most remarka-
lie of natural pbenomena. They came to
his country in 1929, when they were eigh-
cen years old, having previously been shown
n Europe. Were born on the coast of Siam,
md their parents lived BY fishing. None OF
heir fifteen brothers and sisters were de-
ormed, although many Of them we're twins.
They made their-tour Of the United States,
md, excepting Tom Tfumb. we're the great
ut objects OF woudermert t, the people.
Nor was the curiosity REGARDING them con-
lined to gaping ruralisis. 10 many men Of
,cience they were the frat specimen Of joined
md living human beings. The ieshy liga-
lure which linked them was about foot in
length, two inches bread, and four thick,
md through it ran q large artery and many
veins, making their circulation identical.
Their breathing, too. was simultaneous when
they were asleep. They we're not so entirely
one, however, but that each had an entirely
separate existence. Their senses were totally
One could not feel hurt in
f]icted on the other, the ligsture being the
only part in which they were sensitive in
common. Much scientific discussion arose
them, mainly bearing upon the
question Of possible separation.
THEIR LIFE IN NEW YORK.
Barnum got the twins in 1850, and for
several years they were shown in his old
museum. At that time they spoke English
very imperfectly. They were below he me-
dunn size. Chang was larger than Eng, and
looked several years younger. He was, too,
the mental superior of his brother, although
both were ignorant, and had intelligence that
scarcely rose above low cunning. Their
faces were peculiarly repelling, yellow in
hue, and closely resembling those of the
Chinese cigar sellers at Chatham street.
Chang was the mot robust and good ma
,ured. Eng was often sick, and always
morose and peevish. They had sleeping
room in the museum, as did the other Gu
riosities. and one night a rumpus was heard
in it. On breaking open the door, the twins
were found fighting. Eng was on the floor,
underneath Chang, who was choking him.
As rule, however, Chang was more for
bearing than the irritable disposition OF his
brother warranted. They played checker
together sometimes, and took lessons in
English with slow results. Their pay was
500 a week, which they equitabiy divided
and put into savings banks. They never visit
ed their home, and seemed to have no care
for their family. When Eng was sick Chang
nursed him; but perhaps did so from selfish
motives, as the serious illness of one made it
necessary for the we'll ones also to go to
bed. Chang had something of an appreciat-
i've vein of fun, and liked &c give senseless
answers, in his broken English, to the num-
berless questions Of visitors. They remained
with Barnum until 1855, ard it is believed
that they then saved about $40, 900 each.
Growing tired OF show life, they decided to
settle down in a warmer part Of the United
States.
DOUBLE WEDDING.
In their travels they had been in North
Carolina, and Its climate bad pleased them.
So they bought two plantstiors, and secured
wives to complete their domestic establish
ment. Here they took the surname of Bunk
er. They were then bachelors of forty
four. They married English sisters, aged
twenty-six and twenty-eight years. The
girls had been servants, and it is said that
the Lancashire dialect still clings to them.
L. r. 81,
much trouble, for althouh the twins were
not unduly exaeting, it was har'. to find
women who were both willing and at all de-
sirable. There was no love-makiDg before
the engagement. the counting was done by
proxy and correspondence, and the ladies
had seen their future husbands only at a
show in London when they accepted the offer
of marriage. The twins based their choice
upon likenerees forwarded by their agent,
who gave assurances of the respectability of
the girls. All having been arranged they
were brought to America, the twins paying
their expenses, and the marriage was SOL
enmnized quietly in Salisbury. The wives
were not beautiful, but were strong, healthy
English working girls. The domestic lives
of the couple were peculiar. Each family
had its own house. servants, and domestic
establishment. The plantations were owned
and managed separately, although in mat
tiers of consequence Chang was usually the
mater. The wives lived entirely at their
respective homes, and the husbands alter
nately-stayins one week at Chang's and
the next week at Eng's. Each looked after
his plantation and other business during the
weeks of living at his own place, and the
visiting brother was not supposed to inter
fere. The wives did not agree very well,
and the strangely tied families quarrelled 40
seriously that the sisters frequently had peri
DDS of complete arrangement, lasting Tor
weeks at a time.
DOMESTIC IN FELICITY
So, although Chang and Eng were rich,
they did not live happily. Mrs. Chang had
the first child, and it was deaf mute. The
families increased rapidly, until Chang had
six children and Eng five. OF these children
four never heard nor spoke, although in all
other respect, all were strong and not de-
formed. Eight are living the oldest, adaugh-
ter of seventeen, having lately been mar
ried u the lessee ola neighboring plant alton.
About eight yearsago Chang became convert
ed in q religious revival, and Eng also en-
bracing the belief, they joined tie Baptist
Church. They were regular in their attend
ance thereafter, and REFINED their st ,ndiEg
as good Christians. Their tempers, however,
we're not improved by the spiritual change
and before the emancipation their slaves
we're the most whipped Of any in the region.
The rebellion freed their slaves and other
wise seriously impaired their wealth. To re-
pair their Losses they again exhibited them
selves through the country. and at Woods
Museum in this city; but they were moder-
stely successful, owing partially to raracity
which prevented managers from having any
thing to do with them. A greater curio-i-
~ in their line had sprung up. too, in the two
headed girl-two nergro children from South
Carolina are joined at the hips, and
who are on exhibition in Paris. Chang and
Eng had grown uglier as they grew older, tie
latter being wrinkled, thin, and bent.
Their tempers we're soured, and they quar-
relied with each other constantly. They had
gained greatly in intelligence, however, and
were more sensible to the gaze Of the crowd.
At the Revere House, where they boarded,
they received a few sitors, to whom they
complained OF the necessity which had driven
them back into show life. They al-o retained
strong secession Proclivities. During their
u L.. IL L.