The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1874-01-30
THE sswESE TWINS.
r,ctr sc~ssi WAYS. Nheir wives nnti
s.,,r," a tistse Hody Bowed 60 storpe.

The death OF the Stnicse tNlhs w VT
Aicry, near Salisbury. n. C., on the
18th Of this month, ended one of the
most remarkable of natural phenomena.
They came to this country in 1879,
when they we're eighteen years old, hav-
ing previously been shown in Europe
They were born on the coast of siam,
and their parents lived by fishing. None
of their fifteen brothers aud sisters were
deformcd, although many of them were
twins. They made the tour of the Uni
ted States, and, excepting Tom Thumb,
we're the greatest objects Of wondermcnt
to the people. Nor was the curiosity
regarding them confined to gaping rural
ists. To many men of science they were
the first specimen Of joined aud living
human beings. The neshy ligature
which linked them was about foot in
length, two inches broad, and four thick,
and through it ran large artery and
many veins. making their circulation
identical. Their breathing, too, was 81
multaneous whea they we're asleep.
They were not so entirely one, however,
but that each one had an entirely sepa-
rate existence. Their senses were total
ly disconnected. One could not feel a
hurt inflicted on the other, the ligature
being the only part in which they were
sensitive in common. Much scientific
discussion arose concerning them, main
ly 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. Chang was
larger shan Eng, and looked several
year 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-seliers Of Catham
street. Chang was the most robust and
good-natured. Eng was often sick, and
always morose and peevish. They had
a sleeping-room in the museum, as did
the .SAer curiosities, and one night 1
rumpus was heard in it. On opening the
door, the twins were found fighting
Eng was found on the floor underneath
Chang, who was choking him. As 4
rule, however, Chang was more forbear
ing than the irritable disposition Of hi;
brother warranted. They played check
ers together sometimes, and took lesson;
in English with slow results. Their pay
was 500 a week, which they equiiabl,
divided and put into savings banks
Tho never visited their home, and seem
ell TO have no care for their family
When Eng was sick Chang nursed him
but perhaps did so from selfish motives
AZ the serious illness of one made it nee
essary for the well one also to 90 TO bed
Chang had something Of an appreciatiy'
vein of fun, and liked to give senseles:
answers, in his broken English, to ths
numberless questions Of visitors. The,
remained with Barnum until 1855, anC
it is believed that they had then saved
about $40, 900 thousand each. Growing
tired Of show life, they decided to settl,
down in a warmer part Of the United
States. -
DOUBLE WEDDING.
. In their travels they had been in
North Carolinia, and its, climate had
pleased them. So they bought two
plantations, and secured wives to COM
plete their Observation-Disclosures. Here
they took the surname of Bunker. They
were then bachelors of forty-four. They
married English sisters, aged twenty-six
and twenty-eight The girls had been
servants, and il is said that Lancashire
.Halect still clings to them. The making
NJ se double match involved much
trouble, for, although the twins we're not
unduly exactins. it was bard to dnd wo-
men who were both willing and at all
desirable. There was no love-niaking
before The engagement, the counting was
done by proxy and correspondence, aHd
the ladies had seen their future ha.har1@
only at q show in London when they ac-
cented the 6'ler OF marriage. The twins
based their choice upon likenesses for
varied by their agent. who gave as ur-
ance of the respectfully of the girls,
All having been. arranged, they were
brought to America, the twins paying
their expe.se', and the marriage was
solemnizcd quietly IN Salisbury. The
wives were not beautiful. bat we're strong
and healthy English working sirls. The
domestic lives Of the couples were pecul-
lar. Each family had its own house,
servants and domestic establishment
The plantations we're owned and managed
separately, although in matters of conse-
quence Chang was usually the MASTER
The wives lived entirely at their respec-
tive homes, and the husbands alternated
stay ing one week at Chang's house,
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 whiting brother was not
supposed to interfere. The wives did