The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1892-07-23
CHANG AND ENG.

The recent death near Noun
Airy, N. c., of Mrs. Sallie Bunker
widow OF Eng Bunker, one Of the
world renowned Siamese twins, re.
calls to mind much of the domestic
history of these gentlemen and their
families, comparatively little OF which
has ever found its way into print,
which now comes direct from one
who lived in the neighborhood O.
their homes in the old North State,
and who was personal friend O.
the twins from his youth up.
Chang and Eng was born in 1871,
in the lowlands Of Siam, of humble
parentage, and at an early age lost
their father, As soon as they were
old enough to be of use to their
widowed mother she put them to
the light work of tending a large
flock of ducks, which they used to
carry out every morning in boat
to neighboring marsh, where the
wild rice WIS plentiful; there they
remained all day and at night at
the blowing of horn. the ducks
would waddle back to the boat,
crawl aboard, and then the twins
would paddle them home. When
the boys were probably IL or IS
years OF age an English traveller
named Bunker happened that way,
and, after viewing them with amaze.
ment, for a stipulated consideration
with their mother obtained poss-
ession of them.
Leaving the East shortly after,
Mr.. Bunker for several years exhibit
ed the twins in every part of the
known world, treating them with
great kindness and making money
by them wherever he went, until
1892 he had amassed a fortune, and
the twins being by this time of age,
he CONSIDERABLY gave them their
freedom, with permission to adopt
his name, and with enough ready
cash to start them comfortably in
life. This happened in Raleigh, N.
c., and the young men, though they
loved their protector well, loved
freedom better; so, with friendly
parting on both sides, they started
out to make their way alone-and
yet together. While in Raleigh
they heard some talk regarding the
excellent hunting to be found in the
part of the State, and,
wishing for little recreation, they
journeyed to the Piedmont section,
where they finally took up their resi-
dence at the house OF a well-to-do
farmer named Yates, living in the
county of Wilkes, situated at the foot
of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and
seventy five miles west of Green's
boro.
Farmer Yates vas fond of the
chase. Living in good, old fashion
ed style, with plenty of negroes and
dogs, raising supplies OF all kinds,
and surrounded by large family,
he took life easy and made it pleasant
for a considerable time. While
there Eng Bunker became greatly
attached to Miss Sallie Yates and
Chang Bunker lost his heart to Miss
Adelaide.
Some time between 1885 and 1910
a double marriage took place at the
residence of Father in law Yates,
and the twins commenced their mar.
ried lite on farm which was in easy
distance of their wites' old home
stead. Here they lived happily,
farming part of the time and at
intervals going on the road with
Barnum and others, returning home
occasionally to their families and
ireside with well filled pockets. But
the farm on which they lived did not
suits the twins, so they purchased
about 1000 acres in the adjoining
county of Surrey, within three miles
OF the then village of Mount Airy,
now the terminus, of the Cape Fear
and Yadkin Valley Railroad. On
this estate they erected a large, COM
Portable frame house, with all neces-
sary outbuildings, and made many
improvements. Being of cheerful,
kindly disposition, their lives passed
smoothly for many years, while
several children were born to each
wife.
Some of the children were nearly
grown when one day, from some
causes or other, a squabble ensued
in which the mothers took part, and
subsequently Chang ard Eng, who
being men of spirit and courage,
drew knives and where about tc
attack each other, when the wives
seeing the danger, begged them te
desist. The twins ceased struggling
but decided that they would ther
and there be separated, and at once
sent to Mt. Airy for their family
physician, DR.. Hollingsworth, a MAJ
with quite local reputation as
skillful surgeon. He arrived will
his instruments, and after being tolc
what was wanted; remarked:
Very well; just get up on tha
table and I'll fix Won. but whicl