Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-02-06
SUNBURY R FRIDAY MORNING. FEBRUARY g. 1874

of Mt. Airy, shortly after their removal to
that place, where the larger children lived
and attended the school in the district.
| They were all apt scholars, and seemed to
inherit large amount OF natural acute
ness from their fathers.
"The twins were excellent farmers, and
| superintendent all the work upon their
plantations. They could hoe and plow,
and were very deXterous in using the axe.
They built several log cabins themselves,
and could put up the corner of two story
house as quickly as any other two men.
As traders, especially in live stock, they
won quite reputation. They were honest
to penny, would not take the least ad-
| vantage of any one, and repOsed the same
confidence in every one else, but unfortu-
nately frequently came to grief. In max
| ing bargain they would obtain all the
| points in the case and then withdraw, and
under the plea that two heads were better
than one, consult with each ether as to the
best course to pursue.
''Stories have always been in circulation
regarding the supposed fabulous wealth of
| the twins. From their numerous trips
| abroad, and exhibitions, it is true they
amassed considerable money, but when
the war broke out, they being very large
Shareholders, of course their property in
that direction was swept away. They also
had large amounts in the State banks, and
as these institutions evaporated they were
further reduced in circumstances Then
they were induced to invest in State of
North Carolina bonds, which were cOnsd-
cred 4 safe investment, and when the war
closed there was not much left to the un-
fortunate Siamese but the plantation upon
which tEey resided at the time of their
death.
'Their political creed, previous to the
rebellion, was of the Old-line Wing party,
and their votes were regularly deposited
at each election. Since they both belonged
to the same party, no political differences
ever arose between them. Although their
homes were in the South they were North
ern in their ideas, but at the commence
ment of the rebellion had no alternative
left them but to take sides with the land
OF their adoption or leave the country.
| Their they declared for the G. )nfederacy,
and two of their sons went into the rebel
army, and fought ogavely, if unwisely.
| Trouble, however, surrounded the twins.
When Stoneman's cavalry came through
that country, and called for recruits,
draft was made; into the magic wheel went
the names of Chang and Eng. But one
name came out. The gallant commander
was nonplussed One must 90, but the
other would not. He dare not take them
both. So he resigned claim to either of
them, and thus they escaped actual SER
vice.
''Chang's illness first became marked
about the year 1861, when he commenced
to suffer from bronchitis, and the disease
gradually worked down, ending in sup
posed Inflammation Of the lungs. He
never apprehended death-the idea Of dy-
ing never seemed to occur to him. With
Eng, who was always healthy, the case
was different He would oftentimes re-
mark, We'll, we can't live long, and
would become respondent. The last
named, when remarkinG upon the expected
demise of either himself or brother, would
use the plural we Chang, from his semi
paralyzed condition, was generally very
mOrose and irritable, and Occasioned his
brother considerable trouble. One day
they came into DR.. Hollingsworth's office
and Eng demanded the doctor to sever
them at all hazards, saying that his brother
had become so disagreeable that ne would
not live with him any longer. Of course
the doctor refused to do this, and after a
long time spent in attempting to reconcile
them, they were induced to 60 home
They never again made such application,
although it is known that disputes fire.
queuty arose between them, in which
knives were drawn, and they threatened to
kill each other.
Regarding the scientific interest of the
case, and the value Of a post mortem eX-
animation, the public at large are we'll in
formed. No arrangements have as yet
been entered into for the cOnsummatiOn of
this project. At this point it is well to
state that it was a fact not generally known
that when one coughed. it produced her
NAL protrusion in the side of the other.
There are grave doubts as TO whether
any wills were left by the deceased. Mr..
r. 5. Gimer, the business agent Of the
twins, was not aware Of such documents,
and the twins were also i'll doubt i'll this
respect, although it was known at one
time that they drew up testamentary let
ters, and named their respective wives as
eXecutriXes. These were afterwards de-
| stroyed, it was supposed. Recent devel-
opments, however, lead to the belief that
they had wills drawn up by son of Mr..
Gilmer, young lawyer of Mount Airy,
and that the witnesses to the signing were
sworn to Sc crecy. a few days will bring
to light this fact, and it will then be known
whether there are any provisions forbidding
an examination of the bodies being made. :"
What MRS. Lincoln Says About Abb