Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1874-01-30
5fiscellamu.
Chang and Eng.
Strange and Eventful History of the siamese
Twins.

The Siamese twins, who have just died,
will always rank among the most inter-
esting Of scientific phenomena, not only
on account of the almost unprecedented
peculiarly of their condition, but be-
cause they have been so extensively known
and gazed upon in all parts of the world.
We find in the Brooklyn Eagle very
full account Of their life and strange ex-
periences, and Gull from it some interest
ing facts which we have not before pre-
sented. Their parents were fishers on
the coast of Siam, and of the lowest or
der of that people. The band Of flesh that
united them was flexible, and possessed
sufficient faculty of extension to allow
the twins to face each other, and to stand
back to back. Their breathing when
asleep was simultaneous, bot when awake
was subject to the individual will. Each
seemed to be master Of his own physical
feelings and sensations without regard to
the other, but they shared in the pain
caused by pinching or otherwise injuring
the centre of the feshly ligament. Bar
mum obtained them in 1850, and from
that time they became great celebrities
For years they were exhibited at the old
Museum on the corner of Broadway and
Ann streets, New York, the site now oc-
cupied by the Herald building. At that
time they spoke English very imperfect
ly. They were below the average size,
but Chang was the larger, more intelli
gent and more robust. Chang was good
natured and cheerful and not without a
certain perception of humor. Eng was
peevish, morcse ami given to finding
fault. 1t is said that the two did not al.
ways agree, and, indeed, there is ira
dition that, hearing great row in the
room they occupied in the old Museum
building in Ann street, Barnum went
there to find out the meaning of ito
discover that the two Siamese brethren
were engaged 10 vigorous game of fist
icufs. As a rule, however, Chang SUBJ
mitted to the April moods of his
brother without dissent. They learned |
to play checkers together, and passed |
much of their leisure time in that way. !
Their salary during their contract with
Barnum was 500 week, and this sum
they equally divided and placed in
savings bank. They remained with Bar
mum until 1856, and it was then believed !
that they had managed to accumulate
$4,000 apiece. AT this time they re-
tired from public life. During their
travels they had visited North Carolina,
and, the climate and the locality pleas
ing them, they located there, and with
their joint property of $4,000 purchased
two plantations at Mount Airy, near
Salisbury. At this time they were bach.
elors of forty-four.
Having made up their minds to settle
down they took notion to get married.
There was no romance in their love-mak-
ing. On the contrary it was one of the
most prosaic of match-makings. They
wanted wives and were not very partic-
nlar as to who they we're, so long as
they would marry them. After a long
search, two Lancashire lasses, who had
seen the twins in London at show, but
who had never been seen by the brothers .
we're found willing to enter into the
married state with them. Correspond
snce brought the match about, and the
Two English girls were prevailed upon
TO come to America. The marriage was
'olemnized very quietly at Salisbury,
n. G. Their domestic arrangements
were peculiar to themselves. They liv-
ed on different plantations. One week
Chang lived with Eng at his plantation,
and the next Eng with Chang. Each
brother, during the weeks residence at
his own home, transacted the business of
the farm, without the interference of,
though often with the advice of the 9TH
er. The wives lived entirely at their re-
spective homes. The sisters did not al
ways agree, and in time their quarrels
became SO frequent that the life of the
twins was anything but happy. To the
family of Chang was born the first child
but it was deaf mute. The families
increased rapidly, until Chang had six
children and Eng five. OF these four
we're like Chang's first child, deaf and
dumb, but in every other respect, strong,
healthy, perfect children. Eight of the
eleven are still living, and but short
time ago, the oldest living, daughter
of Chang, seventeen years of age, was
married to a neighboring planter. The {
course of life of these strange beings {
was such as to secure the respect, at
least of their neighbors. Their dealings $
with their fellow men were just and hon. c
orable. About eight years ago, both