A continuation of articles in our series highlighting Water for Elephants.
By: Parisienne
The Benzini Brothers in Water for Elephants had the lovely Lucinda but in 1860 P. T. Barnum had Chang and Eng Bunker. Chang and Eng (their names are Siamese for left and right) were born on May 11, 1811. They were born in Thailand, which was then called Siam and are considered to be the most famous conjoined twins to date. It is because of them that conjoined twins are called “Siamese Twins”. A four-inch ligament at the chest that stretched conjoined them.[1]
Captain Abel Coffin, an American sea captain, discovered Chang and Eng in 1829. They toured internationally and in the United States for four decades. In 1832, they stopped touring with Coffin and managed their own careers. In 1838, they retired to North Carolina where they lived on a plantation. They both married and fathered twenty-two children between them.
In 1860, they partnered with P. T. Barnum because their finances were becoming insufficient. They agreed to a six-week engagement with Barnum at Barnum’s American Museum and after some financial losses during the Civil War they agreed to tour with Barnum during his European Tour. Originally, Barnum had been using a wax figure of the twins for his museum and in 1853 published some material about their life.[2]
Chang and Eng passed away on January 17, 1874 within a four-hour span of each other.
Please join us for a discussion: Thursday, April 7th@7pE/12UTC
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Lurker
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Open Book
LIH
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Hi Paris,
Wow, Chang and Eng had a pretty full life. Now, they are the example of maximizing what you’ve been dealt.
After reading your article, I was curious to know if they could have been separated. Apparently, after their death it was determined they could have been successfully separated. In 1689 a German physician by the name of G. König performed the first successful separation of conjoined twins.
Do u know if they were still touring with B&B around the time of there death? Did they perform a certain talent in these B&B shows?
Open Book,
According to some research I found,they could have been seperated. They were linked together by a band of cartilage at the sternum and only shared a fused liver but it functioned independently in both men.
http://www.phreeque.com/chang_eng.html
Interesting! I wonder if it came down to cost and/or if they were fine just the way things were. Hmmmm….
Honestly, I don’t think a doctor would touch them way back then.
LOL!! I love the avatar Littlebells that’s my favorite SNL skit of Will Ferrell & Christopher Walken. This is great fun.
Thanks OB! I noticed everyone’s avatar seemed to go with their username and well, I love me some cowbell! hahaha!
Paris, I agree. I’m sure surgery would have been very dicey. Not like today’s at all and there probably would have been a lot of infection and disease.
Paris,
Thank u for finding this information for me. This is very fascinating.
Great article Paris! I am always fascinated how conjoined twins marry and have families. i wonder how they block things out and keep things somewhat private and personal.
LittleBells,
Thank You! I’m fascinated by their personal lives too. I guess they wouldn’t be able to keep secrets from each other.
Just found this interesting info. Alex Sink of Florida…she ran for governor is the great grand daughter of chang bunker.
http://www.tampabay.com/features/humaninterest/alex-sink-says-grit-and-pride-were-legacy-of-famous-ancestors-siamese/1123894
Paris.
Great research u found and article!
So the brothers decided to get separate houses at some point. That had to be difficult to manage but I guess living under one roof with two wives was far more difficult.
I have a lot more Q for tomorrow nights discussion.
I found this video on YT about the Mutter Musuem. They have a plaster cast of Chang and Eng and also have their livers in preservation fluids.
The information on the twins starts around 2:08
Hi Paris!
Hi Ladies!
I probably won’t be here this evening because I have too much going on, but I wanted to stop by and say hi. *waves*
Paris, here are some questions I have for you:
Do you know if having conjoined twins was very popular amongst the circuses?
What other deformities were popular to exploit?
Do you know what the psychological well-being was of these people during and post circus?
What kind of money or compensation did these people get, other than room and board?
Ok, can’t wait to come back and read! 🙂
LittleBells,
Glad you could stop by. 🙂 I won’t get to all your questions tonight but I will try and answer them over the w/e. Real life is starting to catch up to me. Great questions though!
Great video Paris
Wow! So they were gymnast and performed acrobats.
Hi everyone! Getting to stop by for a bit.
Paris, No worries!
Hi Everyone!
Wow, great article Paris!
I didn’t realize it was so far back in the 1800’s.
I don’t know why i failed to make that connection?
Interesting though.
Hi Lurker!
Hi Everyone!
Thank you for your interest in this article. 🙂 I know everyone has many questions. If I don’t answer them tonight. I will work on it over the w/e.
1) The Bunker twins were conjoined thoroacopagus twins.
Hi Ladies!
Open Book, yes they performed acrobactics. (I assume to show people their version of “normal”)
Lurker,
Thank you!
Did they ever go back to Siam to see there parents?
I haven’t found any research to say that they did. Unfortunately.
Yeah! I could not find anything either. It seems like once they left home and came to America they never went back.
Yeah that’s what it looks like. Although don’t you think their parents would try to find them?
Found some more information as well.
Yeah, but back then people sort of expected not see their family once they left home. It was either too expensive or too long to travel.
that’s true. 🙂
That would be so difficult. I’m assuming they felt it was worth it (to leave their families). I can’t imagine not seeing my family again. Ugh.
Hi LittleBells!
How tall were they?
I’m trying to find it for you. They didn’t look very tall.
Hello all! Great article! I’ve always wanted to know more about this but never got round to it. Thanks!
Hi Ozzie!
Your welcome. 🙂
I had to go look up PT Barnum and it seems that he was like the ‘first’ Ripley’s believe it or not! And then parlayed that into a traveling exhibition that became a circus!
I know. I just found his other acts today.
It’s interesting how he became the top circus. And how in WFE they were chasing Ringling as the ‘best of the best’.
Ringling paired with B&B. They became Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Bailey.
I think Ringling and Barnum merged around the time WFE is set in. I’m sure I read that in my travels through information somewhere!
Oops Paris beat me! At least I wasn’t imagining things! 🙂
Hi Ozzie!
Nice to see u!
Hi Open Book!
It was 1919 they merged though Ringling bought barnum 1907.
Thanks for the info Ozzie!
Do u know why Ringling was able to buy Barnum? or Why it seem like a good deal?
http://www.ringling.com/FlashSubContent.aspx?id=11714&parentID=366&assetFolderID=370
Open Book, I found some info here to your question here. From reading it I assume because P. Barnum had already died and Ringling bought out Bailey’s widow….if i read that correctly.
Thank U, that makes sense.
your welcome. 🙂
Barum died in 1891 so if they merged afterward, you’re likely right.
I think it was sometime in the 1900’s.
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=1250
Forgot to insert this up top. 🙂
http://books.google.com/books?id=ag6OunNxHrMC&pg=PA151&lpg=PA151&dq=height+of+chang+and+eng+bunker&source=bl&ots=iBkMPKkLTE&sig=t2hrAXiQ9Nxpx-uumtqqrwbF29A&hl=en&ei=TEeeTdGGK4Ka0QH414G1BA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDsQ6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=height%20of%20chang%20and%20eng%20bunker&f=false
According to this article in 1829, they were 5’2 and 5’1 and a half.
Thank u, Paris.
I was looking at their clothing. It seems they did not have them specifically made. Do u know if they did?
I don’t know. I haven’t found any thing in my research that states that yet but I will let you know if I find something.
I would assume that whatever clothing they did have. It had to be altered to allow for the ligament of skin.
What I like about WFE is the authenticity to the period, characters and novel. Could u imagine WFE as a comedy instead of a drama?
no! It has to be a drama. The story wouldn’t come across correctly any other way, IMO
I have always been fascinated with costume designers and set designers. I love authenticity because it makes the story more believable and not perfect or cartoonish. I really have high hopes for this film.
No way – I mean for a period it was pretty somber and serious. So no, it wouldn’t be successful to me as a comedy.
There was comedy during that time, but not via this novel.
I agree, with all the serious story lines, it could not have been a comedy.
Yes! I ultimately agree with u. The reason why I asked the Q because comedic films were more popular during that time period than dramas.
Anyone know who are playing the “carnies” in WFE? I’ll go look it up…..
apparently these are the only acts that were auditioned:
http://waterforelephantsfilm.com/2010/04/23/circus-side-show-acts-being-cast-for-water-for-elephants/
Hi Littlebells,
I really like the flame throwers. They are awesome to look at. Have u seen them do it up close? It is quite scary.
No! But I’ve watched people swallow swords and that’s just all kinds of creepy. It’s one of those things you just don’t do so when you see someone attempting that kind of thing you can’t look away! 🙂
Can you imagine what they are doing to their throats?
No, but now you totally have my curious!!!! Off to research….
LOL LittleBells, you crack me up. 🙂
4th paragraph….Oh my gosh! http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/bodily-feats/sword-swallowing.htm
I know. In my mind I’m saying don’t look turn away, turn away. AHH!! Then it’s too late. LOL!!
If this is a double post, my apologies.
Oh my gosh, 4th paragraph. http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/bodily-feats/sword-swallowing.htm
and Yes OB it’s like a train wreck you can’t help but watch. Humans are interesting, aren’t we! 🙂
testing testing, 1,2, 3 *I’m having technical difficulties*
And I’m back.
OB, yes, it’s like watching a train wreck! 🙂
Oh my gosh, 4th paragraph down. Never in a million years would I ever attempt this! Not for all the money in the world. Eeek!
http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/bodily-feats/sword-swallowing.htm
O.k. u almost need a medical degree to perform this stunt. How insane! Did u watch the video? AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
OMG. You couldn’t pay me enough to do that.
Ok, that’s it! I’m over my computer! THis is my 4th attempt.
4th paragraph:http://health.howstuffworks.com/human-body/bodily-feats/sword-swallowing.htm
LittleBells,
Its showing up ok. 🙂
LittleBells,
Did you see the interview with Rob in the new Elle mag?
Everyone!
I have to leave early tonight. Paris! Great article and research. I learned a lot.
Take Care!!
Bye Open Book!
Bye Open Book!
Sorry for the long pause there. My interent connection has finally decided to work again!