Connecticut western news., 1874-01-30
The Dead Sin uM csc Twins.

coast Of Siam, and their parents lived by fishing. None of their fifteen brothers and sisters were deformed, although many of them were twins. They made the tour of the United States, and excepting Tom Thumb, were the greatest objects of won- derment to the people. Nor was the curi "siry regarding them confined to gaping ruralists. To many men of science they were the first specimen of joined and liv- ing human beings. The fleshy 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 simultaneous when they were asleep. They were not so entirely one, however, but that each had sn entirely separate existence. Their senses were totally disconnected. One could not feel hurt inflicted on the other, the ligature being the only part in which they were sensitive in common. Much scientific discussion arose concerning them mainly bearing upon the question of pos sible separation.
 Barnum got the twins in 1850, and for s 'veraA years they were shown in his old. museum. At that time they spoke Eng fish very imperfectly. They were below the medium size. Chang was larger than Eng, and looked several years younger. He was, too, tho 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 re- scmbling those of the Chinese cigar sel, lers of Chatham street. Chang was the most robust and good natured. Eng was often sick, and always morose and peev- ish. They had sleeping room in the museum, as did the other curiositics, and one night rumpus was heard in it. On breaking open the door the twins were found fighting. Eng was on the floor, un- derneath Chang. who was choking him. . As rule, however, Chang was more for bearing than the irritable disposition of his brother warranted. They played checkers together sometimes, and took lessons in English with slow results. Their pay was $lo0 week, which they equitably divid- ed and rut into savings banks They never visited their home, and seemed to have DO 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 well one also to go to bed. Chang hs d something of n appreciative vein of fun, and liked to give senseless answers in his broken English, to the numberless questions of wis itors. They remained with Barnum until 1855, and it is believed that they had then saved about 40, GOO each. Growing tired of show life, they decided to settle down in @ warmer part of the United States.
 In their travels they had been in North Carolina, and It's climate had pleased them. So they bought two plantations and se- cured wives to complete their domestic establishment. Here they took the sur name of Bunker. They were then bach elors of forty-four. They married Eng Ilsh aistore, ~sod .wenty-siA and twenty eight. The girls had been servants, and it is said that a Lancashire dialect still clings to them. The making of the double match involved much trouble, for although the twins were not unduly exacting, it was | hard to find women who were both willing and at all desirable. There was no love- making before the engagement, the court ing was done by proxy and correspondence, and the ladies had seen their. future. bus bands only at show in London when they accepted the offer of ma rriage. The twins based their choice upon likenesses forwarded by their agent, who gave assu-- ances of the responsibility of the girls. All having been arranged, they were brought to America, the twins paying their expen- ses, and the marriage was solemnized quietly in Salisbury. The wives were not beautiful, but were strong, healthy Eng
 fish girls. The domestic lives of the coup les were peculiar. Each family had It's own house, servants and domestic estab- and managed separately, although in mat ters of consequence Chang was usually the master. The wives lived entirely at their respective homes, and the husbands alter nated-staying one week at Chang's house and the next 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 interfere. The wives did not agree very we'll, and the strangely tied families guar relied so seriously that the sisters frequent ly had periods of complete estranegment lasting for weeks at time.
 So, although Chang and Eng were rich, they did not live happily. Mrs. Chang had tho 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, al though in all other respects all were strong and not deformed. Eight are living, the oldest a daughter of seYenteen, having lately been married to the lessee of neigh boring plantation. Those of the children who wee not deaf mutes were sent to school, and are now we'll educated. Be fore their last exhibition here the twins had been again ir Europe.
 The idea of separating them by surgio. al operation had been often broact ed, but physicians had generally agreed that it would kill them. Therefore each was haunted with cread of being left bound to his dead brother, with almost a certain ty of dying under any attempt to sever him from the corpse. While Tn Paris and London, they consulted the most eminent surgeons. One experiment, however. dasht all hope of separate existence. The ligature was compressed until all clrcula- ton Of blood between them was stopped. compress was necessary 10 prevent death, This proved that neither coulJ sustain n separate circulation of the blood, and to