Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-31
THE SlAMESE TWINS.
THEIR HOMES AND FAMILIES.
Two. Embellishments - They Alternate
Three Days ~ Esch-Amusing Incl
dents virtuous. Honest, Democratic.
written for tho Dispatch.l


of Mrs. Sallie Bunker. widow of Eng
Bunker. one Of the world-renowned
Siamese twins. recalls TO mind much of
the domestic history of these gentlemen
and their families, but comparatively little
Of which has ever found Its way into
print. and which now comes direct from
one who lived in the neighborhood OF their
homes in the Old North State, and who
was personal friend of the twins from
his youth up.
Chang and Eng were born in the year
1911, 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 10 the light work OF tending
large flock Of ducks. which they used to
carry out every morning in boat 10
neghborLg marsh. where the wild rice
was plentiful: there they renamed 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 II or IS years OF age an EnSlish
traveller named Bunker happened that
way, and, aftes viewing them VITA amaze
ment. for stipulated considcrationw with
their mother, obtained possession of them.
AMABSED tOlItNf.
Leaving the East shortly after, Mr..
Bunker for several years exhibited the
twins in every part Of the known world,
treating them VITA great kindness and
making money by them wherever he went,
until in lr3l he had anassed fortune, and
the twins beng by thls time OF age. lie
CONSIDERABLY gave them their freedom,
with permission 10 adopt his name, and
with enough ready cash to start them com
fortably 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. Whist IN Raleign
they heard some talk regarding the excel
lent hunting TO be found IN the mountain
Gus part OF the State. and wishing Tor a
little recreation they Journeyed 10 the
Piedmont section, where they hnally took
up their residence at the house OF a we'll
TODD farmer named Yates. living In the
county of Wilkes, situated at the foot OF
the Blue Ridge mountains, and seventy
five miles west of Greensboro.
coURrsHIp AND MARRIAoE.
Farmer Yates was fond OF the
chase. Living in good. old-fashioned
style. with plenty OF negroes, and
dogs, raising supplies OF all KINDS,
and surrounded by a large family,
he took life easy and made il pleasant for
the twins, who boarded with him for
considerable time. Whilst there ing
Bunker became greatly attached TO Hiss
Sallie Yates and Chang Bunker lost his
heart TO Miss Adelaide.
Some time between 1885 and 1910 dou-
BILE marriage took place at the residence OF
Iather-ln-Law Yates. and the twins CON-
menced their married life on a farm which
was IN easy distance of their wives old
homestead. Here they lived happily,
farming part of the time and at Intervals
going on the road with Bsrnum and others,
returning nome occasionally TO tner laini-
lies and Preside with well-tlled pockets.
But the farm on which they lived did not
suit the twins. SO they purchased about
1000 acres III the adjoining county Oh sur
rev, within three miles of the then little
village OF Mt. Airy. now the terminus OF
the Cape Fear and ladkin-V Valley railroad.
On this estate they erected a large, CON-
Portable frame house. with all necessary
out-buildiDgs, and made many improve
ments. Being of a cheerful. kindly dispo-
sition. their lives passed smoothly ior many
years, whilst several children were born
to each wife.
A SEPARATION.
Some of the children were nearly grown
when one day. from some cause or other,
o squabble ensued in which the mothers
took and part subsequently Chang ana Eng,
who. being men of spirit and courage,
drew knives and were about to attack each
Other when the wives, seeing the danger.
LEGGED them TO desist. The twins ceased
struggling, but decided that they would
then and there be separated, and at once
sent to Mt AIRY for their family physician.
Dr. Holllngsworth, man with quite a To-
cal reputation as q skilful surgeon. lie
arrived with his instruments, and after
being told what was wanted, remarked
Very well; Just get up on that table and
I'll tx you. but which would you prefer,
that should sever the flesh that connects
YOU or cut off your heads? One will pro-
duce much about the same results as the
other" This brought the twins 70 their
senses, for they knew very well that the
great surgeons in London, Paris, and New
York had decided that II would be death
to separate them.
THE TRREE-DAYs' COMPACT.
In a perplexity of mind how to guard
AGAINST future warfare in their household,
the twins called IL DR.. Hollingsworth and
Messrs. Gilmore and Rawley, OF Mt. AIRY,
As arbitrators. These gentlemen, after re-
volving the problem in their minds, drew
up legal contract whose principal pro,
visions were that out of the money Owned
by the twins similar mansion ana ike
OlI-DOl0lUBN As tuOSc WiliNh thOS
owned should be built on the large estate
about one mile from the existing home
stead: that the land should be equally
divided between the brothers by compe-
tent surveyor: that no transaction OF a
business nature should take place on these
farms between the two brothers; that the
family of Chang should live IN one mouse,
| whilst that of Eng should live IN the other;
| and whist the wives occasionally visited
/ 10
many wears the children did not inter
change visits, though they met at church,
| or IN the village. 1t was also agreed that
| Eng should spend three days and
| three nights with his folks and
| that Chang who. of course could not help
| being present. should, during that time
remain passive and not IN any way In
! terfcre with the affairs OF Eng then Chane
! snould spend three days and nights at his
own house, Eng being during that time az
mindful of attending strictly TO his own
business. and not that OF his brother. as
| Chang had been. These provisions were
| accepted and reiigiously observed by the
brothers until death, they alternating
every three days In their visits to then
family. Indeed, so particular were they
! in not having business transaction Win
each other that if. for instance. Eng needed
| corn for his cattle. and Chang had 1t ioI
| sale. Eng never once limited at buying IRON
| his brother. And again. as sometimes nap
peued If one brother received an INVITA-
| Ton 10 dinner or tea. the other would, OF
| course. 90, but upon leaving would re-
mark to the host " | will pay my visit tc
You at some future time"
WHY HE STAYED IN BED.
Allusion has been made to the cheerful
aisnos,tion of the twins. They were live,
Nv and very fond of joke, and seyera
might be related did space permit. iwC
will suffice. On one occasion, WING
driving through the neighborhood. III Z
buggy. they were thrown out, resulting u
one being badly bruised. whilst the othel
escaped without scratch. IL then DE
came necessary for the injured twin TO re
main in bed for week, and. OF course
hrs brother had TO do likewise, explainit
70 friend who called to see them that NJ
STAYED there 70 look after his brother an'
keep OFF the flies.
HAD no TICKET.
The other joke occurred on trip tnel
made from Greensboro to Raleigh. Be
fore starting Eng purchased one ticket
thev then boarded the tram. and ate
awhile tho conductor came around 10
tickets. Eng handed his up. but Chang
s,h a marry twin kle in his eye, remarked