Chang and Eng: A Messy American Dream

02/28/19 • 36 min

8 Listeners

Many of us have seen pictures of the original "Siamese Twins" Chang and Eng. But their story is so much more than a medical case study. Mo travels to Mount Airy, North Carolina - the inspiration for Andy Griffith's Mayberry and the real life home of the conjoined twins - to join the many descendants of Chang and Eng for their annual family reunion.Learn more about the Mobituaries book: http://bit.ly/MobituariesBook
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Mobituaries with Mo Rocca - Chang and Eng: A Messy American Dream

Transcript Summary

In the podcast episode titled "Chang and Eng: A Messy American Dream," the fascinating story of Chang and Eng Bunker, famous conjoined twins, is explored. From their arrival in America to their settlement in Mount Airy, North Carolina, the episode delves into the challenges and triumphs they faced. Despite the indignities they endured, Chang and Eng became stars, exhibiting their physical feats and entertaining audiences across the country. Their love lives were equally unique as they married two sisters and had a total of 21 children, maintaining separate households for intimacy. However, the episode also uncovers their ownership of slaves during the time, as well as their support for the Confederacy during the Civil War, which ultimately led to their loss of fortune. The story concludes with their burial in Mount Airy, where they are celebrated both in the United States and in their homeland of Thailand. This episode offers a captivating exploration of a complex and extraordinary American dream, making it a must-listen for those interested in unique histories and untold tales.

Transcript

Speaker 100:00:03.600

It's July and I'm in mount Airy, North Carolina, population ten thousand three. Located at the foothills of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. This is the birthplace of beloved American actor Andy Griffith and the model for Mayberry, the setting for his classic sitcom The Andy Griffith Show. Griffith played Sheriff Andy Taylor, keeping watch over his sleepy town and his young son Opie, played by little Ronnie Howard. When you give you word, neve