Chang and Eng

Chang and Eng

(1811 – 1874)

Chang and Eng were conjoined twin brothers whose birth place and condition became the basis for the term “Siamese twins”. (Siam was the name off the current country Thailand at that time). They were joined at the sternum, and their livers were fused. Of course, someone tried to make money of their misfortune and they were brought to America in 1839 by a man named Robert Hunter.

But…..

They were determined to live as normally as possible, and in 1839 they bought land in Wilkesboro NC.

Here is where it gets interesting:

They married sisters in 1843.

They shared a bed built for 4.

They had 21 kids between them (Chang 11 and Eng 10)

After a number of years the wives had a falling out, and separate households were set up, and the brothers would alternately spend 3 days at each house.

With the strange life they were destined to lead, they maintained a high reputation for honesty and integrity, and were highly respected by their neighbors.

And we think we have problems! We could could all learn a lesson from these guys about dealing with adversity.

They are buried in The White Plains Baptist Church Cemetery in White Plains, North Carolina.

Nikola Tesla

Nikola Tesla

( 1856 – 1943 )

Nikola was a Serbian American inventor and futurist that is best known for his contributions to the design of Alternating Current (AC). He was visionary and a lot of his research  achievements were so complex, We still can’t figure out today. Here is an example: In 1898 he Demonstrated a radio controlled boat that he tried to sell to the military a a radio controlled torpedo, and they showed no interest at all, imagine that. So far ahead of his time, and since the all powerful Thomas Edison wasn’t exactly his best friend, his works are largely forgotten today. There has however, been a recent renewed(and much belated) interest in his research.

Read about all of the things he was into, it’s like science fiction…..

His ashes are on permanent display in Belgrade, Serbia, at the Tesla Museum, along with his death Mask.

Doc Holliday

Dr. John “Doc” Holliday

( 1851 – 1887 )

A Gambler, gunfighter, and a dentist, he skirted both sides of the law throughout his life. One of the most famous characters of the American west, no doubt. Doc is mostly remembered for his friendship with Wyatt Earp, and the shootout at the O K Coral. The myths are many about his life, but he is believed by many to have killed between three and seven men, and participated in nine shootouts. I put a pic of “Big Nose” Kate up just because ( she died in Prescott, Arizona in 1940 and is buried in the Arizona Pioneer Home Cemetery in Prescott, AZ.).

Holliday is buried in Linwood Cemetery in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.

His original marker had the date wrong, and the records for exactly where he is buried in the cemetery are lost, but these are pics of the current marker there.

Edward Trelawny

Edward John Trelawny

( 1792 – 1881 )

An Adventurer, Trelawny seems to have stepped out of on of Byron or Shelley’s Poems. A contemporary and friend of both , he made the arrangements for  both of their funerals. He lead an incredible life, was a biographer and novelist in his own right, but seems to have been lost in the shuffle with the stiff competition of Byron and Shelley(no wonder!). “Recollections of the Last Days of Shelley and Byron” is an excellent contemporary first hand look at their lives that he wrote . He out lived all of the romantic poets, dying in 1881. He had purchased the plot beside of Shelley in 1822 to be buried beside him and his ashes were. On his stone is an excerpt from Shelley’s poem, “Epitaph”.

There are six or so biographies about him, but not too many people seem to know who he was…… Truly, obscurely famous…..

He is buried at Campo Cestio in Rome, Italy.

“Wild Bill” Hickock

 

James Butler “Wild Bill” Hickock

(1837 – !876)

Wild Bill was a gambler, gunfighter, and lawman of the old west. Definitely a folk hero, some of his exploits have been fictionalized. Known for not wanting his back to be unguarded, he ironically died when he was shot in the back of the head and killed during a poker game  at the age of 39. The hand he was holding, a pair of aces and a pair of 8’s, has come to be known as the “deadman’s hand”. Makes you wonder what the kicker was(that’s the fifth card). It’s been the subject of debate since the murder.

He was killed in Deadwood, Dakota Territory(now South Dakota) and is buried there at Mount Moriah Cemetery.

Trivia:

Calamity Jane is buried next to him.

Hickock was inducted into the Poker Hall of Fame in 1979.

 

Jack Kerouac

Jack Kerouac

(1922 – 1966)

A pioneer of the “Beat Generation”, he was an author and poet. His literary prestige grows every year, and all of his works are still in print. He covered just about every topic, and during his life, he was an underground celebrity. Of course now that he is gone the Establishment recognizes his genius. Isn’t it funny how often that happens.

Best known as an author, his poetry is something to read too. Check out his work, he was way ahead of his time.

He is buried in Lowell, Massachusetts, in the Edson Cemetery