The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-03-23

Arrival of the Messrs. Bunker,
Juniors, in Philadelphia.
Great Indignation Over the
Autopsy.

PHILADELPHIA. March %. 1874.

PHILADELPHIA, March %. 1874.
Your correspondent spent the closing hours oil
yesterday with the sons OF the Siamese Twins.
Chang and Eng the child Of the former being by
name Mr.. Christopher W. Bunker, and the name OF
the latter Mr.. stephen d. Bunker. Both sons have
attained an age slightly beyond manhood; both
were Identified with the Confederate cause; both
have travelled with their parents during their
tours OF pubic exhibitions both are strong, healthy
ana hardy specimens OF humanity; both, Dy their
nara service during the war, have iamiliarized
themselves with all the details OF active, energetic
life, and, by means OF their subsequent wander
ings, each has obtained thorough acquaintance
with the world. By means of interview with
Mr.. Christopher ". Bunker, at which his cousin
stephen was present, your correspondent learns
the following interesting particulars:
YOUNG BuNKER's INDIGNATION.
In CHANGING to take up California paper, dated
the Goth OF January. 1874, l first saw the news OF
my father's and uncle's death. The news, OF
course, startled me, and for the moment was
utterly Frustrated. / was In distant land, my
father was dead, and the awful news ceaved my
hearts centre like knife. In my last letter nome
had stated my intention OF going TO Sacramento,
ana, supposlng that our family would address me
there, repaired to that place. The day Of my ar
rival at this far off country received letter from
my sister, Mamie Bunker, That my father
was dead; that neither family knew what
to do, and that it was the earnest wish
OF oil my relations for my immediate return.
Hastily disposing OF all my business at once set
out for home; but upon my arrival at Peoria, Ill.,,
on February Learned that the bodies OF my father
and uncle were on their way for auo psy at Phila-
delphia. God only knows how l felt when read
this. In her letter my sister assured me that
the bodles were buried under the house; that
AaA hat
no disposition would be made OF them until
my return. 1 was utterly dlsheartened, and
wept. IL seemed to Inc then useless 10 go
home, but could not help wondering what
unnatural influence had been brought to bear
upon my mother and my aunt In order to render
them capable Of tisposins Of the twain human
and dumb sisters were at schoO. found them in
tears and both indignant that the bodies should
have been turned over to the doctors.
DEATH OF SISTER MAMIE.
My dear and beloved sister Mamie died on Feb.
ruary II, one month to day from the hour OF my
the 18th OF February, twenty-lOur hours after her
demise at once wrote to my cousin, who was
Immediately came. All OF Us who had moved In
the world, who had familiarized ourselves sum-
ciate its feelings and its whims, at once
stegnly upbraided our relatives for allow
ING the poaes to fs a1d otSer
and aunt stated that they had Ueen Influenced
by the arguments insinuated upon them by Mr..
my father and uncle most intimate friend. Gill
mer advised everything, and thus trampled to
cate feelings His whole idea was TO have
the bodies exhibited, and he pressed mis-
the great ptI pecuniary Seneats likely to result from
the autopsy and subsequent exhiDition. All these
things were to me and to my
buried like common animals in rude, unpianed
pine box in the construction of which nothing had
| been made use OF save the hammer aud saw. Gill
mer planned, advised and instituted the whole
business, and despite what the physicians say.
believe, and so does my cousin, that he did SO Tor
his own peculiar views.
Let me tell you what this man did. He over
private papers and after giving Information to the
| HERALD correspondent asked HIN II he did not
think the news afforded was worth year or two's
subscription TO your paper. Had known Mr..
Gillmer was so anxious TO get the HERALD would
have subscribed Tor it during an indefinite term Of
! years myself rather than to have had him ne
gotiate between my mother and the Philadelphia
physicians Gilimer's whole idea was to have the
| mer has outraged our entire iamily. Had either
myself or my cousin been at home we would have
! defended the bodies even until our own death.
NO MONEY FROM THE AUTOPSY
! / deny that my mother or my aunt until this
| hour have received one cent for the bodies, nor
shall either our mothers or ourselves receive one
| cent ior their exhibition in future. When We
looked upon the bodies OF our parents to-day they
They were lean, gaunt and dreadfully changed,
pale. emaciated and unnatural looking, so much
Sodns them How deeply regret that was
not at home when they died would have given
them a decent and q quiet burial, and none
now, our " best truest, most sympathetic feel,
group have intruded within the domains OF a
private family; and my mother, my aunt, my
| cousin, along with all our family, are reported TO
have disposed OF these bodies in order to derive
| CARRYING BACK THE TWINS.
We leave for home tonight. We carry our own
dead along with u.s. So cunningIy did Gilmer work
tnat as DR.. Alien, OF Philadelphia, SAID to
me tonight, the contract would have been
null ana void, not worth the paper it was
transcribed upon, because 1t was written on
all our intimate friends and negnbors Will be per-
mitted to look upon them. U, how l wish that
aow 70 a .ae 81
| injected nuid might be dispelled and that the
bodies might quickly decay AS Is they will be
fear after they are buried they may be stolen.
Several parties have already travelled hundreds Of
miles to visit my mother and have asked her that
they might be permitted to make contracts for
their future exhibition
| A CHRISTIAN FUNERAL TO BE PERFORMED.
| As soon as we arrive home funeral service win
be preached. But, alas we carry back to our
home only the shells OF our fathers: their lungs,
tors. The doctors tell US that II the families re-
quest Il they will all be sent down
the final grave was dug in that plot Of
ground within which rest the other members
soua be eurea but when the man
came along he who had already during lie been
apparently my fathers and my unce's dearest
friend and adviser, they could not resist his ap
peal. Never, never, shall the Siamese Twins be
seen again. We have not received one
cent for the autopsy. nor shall we
ever exhibit the bodies. 1t would Kill us to
do so. No extremity could possibly induce u.s.
while for the public comment already made, for
the undue advantage taken OF US, Tor the extent
to which our own sacred aud beloved dead have
been paraded In false and unnatural coors in the
public press, we have nothing but regret, sorrow
aud tears.
THR FORT SILL INDIAN DEPREDATIONS,