Part 3

The most singular and physiologically interesting member of the party is a young lady, between eighteen and nineteen years of age, or rather, two young ladies rolled into one, who is certainly a rival to the famous Siamese Twins, and very much more attractive in appearance than Messrs. Chang and Eng. Those who saw the Siamese Twins during their presence in England will have a vivid recollection of the painful look that their features bore, and the constrained movements of their bodies while walking in any direction. There is a total absence of this in the young lady who bears the name of Miss Christine Millie, whose four bright black eyes and dazzling rows of pearly-white teeth light up a fair Creole complexion with an animation that is really attractive. This singular _lusus naturæ_ is the offspring of parents who were slaves in North Carolina previous to the American civil war, and has several brothers and sisters who are like ordinary humanity. During the struggle the family suffered considerable privation; but as a curious illustration of the changes which have taken place in Southern society, through the war and the declaration of freedom from slavery, it may be mentioned that the father of Christine Millie is now the owner of the plantation on which he was once a slave. As to the young lady herself--for we have surgical authority for describing her--she has bodily only one person, though possessed of two heads, two pairs of shoulders, four arms, and two pairs of legs, amalgamated curiously with one trunk. We can only say that an hour’s audience with her yesterday afternoon proved her to be a cultured, self-possessed and accomplished person, who had a most singular attribute of being able to hold two totally distinct conversations at the same time with different persons, or the same person, can sing a duet very tastefully and tunefully in two voices, soprano and contralto, and can dance a mazourka with singular grace and facility. There was no difficulty made in exhibiting the upper portion of the dorsal connection, and it was done without any infringement of modesty.

From the _Liverpool Leader_

“MOST EXTRAORDINARY.”

In the steamship City of Brussels, from New York, on the 2d of May, 1871, arrived a cargo which, in the words of Mr. Toole, may be termed “most extraordinary.” Of all the curiosities ever unearthed by the immortal Barnum, none can compare in the most minute degree with Millie Christine, a daughter or daughters--whichever the fastidious please--of the State of North Carolina. They first saw the light nineteen years ago, and the mother is presumably the founder of that gigantic Woman’s Rights Association in America, which has lately made formidable inroads upon English society. Here we have a young lady with one body, but two distinct minds, borne by two separate heads. All the intelligent men who saw her at the Washington Hotel the other day, can bear witness to the marvellous intelligence which predominates in both brains; the conversational powers of the two heads at once in communication with two different persons; upon different topics, would sufficiently testify it. But the marvel did not stop here; some of the sweetest duets in the language of music were sung by a high soprano and a pure contralto. The notes issued from two heads, and yet but one trunk supplied the _verve_. It may now be added that this extraordinary trunk has two pairs of perfect legs, terminating in symmetrical and very pretty feet, and that, moving upon their pedal extremities, the trunk exhibits the very poetry of motion. The polka, the mazourka, the schottische, are delineated by these two pairs of pretty feet, in perfect time and harmony, and the spectator is rewarded not by one smile, as in the case of ordinary young ladies, but by two distinct smiles, winked at you by two pairs of sparkling and roguish eyes, and thrown at you by two different sets of the purest ivory that ever adorned the mouth of an Indian Sultana. There are a lot of people here, or elsewhere, always ready to strain at the smallest gnat and swallow the biggest camel, who will doubtless put this young lady down as outside the pale of ordinary humanity. If this prejudice should carry one so far as to avoid her, they alone will be the losers. We can testify that no person of ordinary intelligence can be in her company for half an hour without yielding to the charm of her manner and the fascination of her double smiles. She has you on both sides. If you remove your head from one position you are immediately the victim of another pair of eyes, which fix you and, in fact, transfix you. We candidly admit that we were fascinated, and that we immediately lost sight of the phenomenon and became overpowered by the influence of this dual brain. The young lady will shortly hold _levees_ in London, and the public of Liverpool may hope to see her by-and-by. The eminent medical men of the United States testify that this remarkable freak of nature is united at the lateral posterior portion of the pelvis, while above that portion they are separated, have separate chests, two pair of fully developed arms, but only one trunk. With the double head they possess separate intellectual faculties as entirely distinct as in the brain power of two different individuals, while their faces indicate to a remarkable degree intelligence of a high order and great amiability.

VISIT OF EMINENT MEN IN LIVERPOOL TO MILLIE CHRISTINE.

On the 4th of May a reception for medical men was held at the Washington Hotel, Liverpool, and was attended by the following eminent members of that faculty: Dr. Nevins, Dr. Bickersteth, Dr. McGregor, Dr. Greegan, Dr. Slack, Dr. Gorst, Dr. Steele, Mr. T. Bickerton, F.R.C.S., etc.; Mr. Edgar Browne, M.R.C.S.; Mr. Jas. Pen Harris, Mr. W. H. Manifold, etc. Having had an opportunity of explaining the bond of union, these eminent men were unanimously of the opinion that Millie Christine is the most extraordinary phenomenon the world has ever seen.

THE TWO-HEADED GIRL.

LAUGHABLE ACCOUNT OF THE TWO-HEADED GIRL BY A WESTERN EDITOR.

“Girls in this city are divided into two classes--single-headed girls and double-headed ditto. The single-headed ones are certainly the most numerous, but the double-headed ones appear to be the most attractive. This is evident from the fact, that while we can see a single-headed girl almost any time, we have to pay in order to be introduced to the maid with the duplex cranium. We say ‘maid’ because the last double-headed girl we saw was not married. There was one man who courted her successfully, as he thought, for a time, but before popping the question he kissed one face first, and could never get the consent of the other head. She is now waiting till a two-headed man comes along, and is gay with hope.

“This duplex girl, however, must be in every way a desirable match. Though the assurance given that she eats with both heads may tell against her with parsimonious wooers, yet the fact that she buys dresses for one only must be an immense advantage. The same with her talking. The two-headed girl must be extremely circumspect, not only in her walk, but in her conversation. As she can never have a secret, she can have no opportunity to go around telling it. Neither will any one ever tell a secret to one head for fear that the other would split upon it.

“The fact of having two tongues should not militate against her, as, if she had only one, she would probably keep it going all the time, while, if she uses two, the one deadens the sound of the other. Whichever way we look at the two-headed girl we see her to advantage, though we don’t mean to say the least that should be understood to disparage a girl because she happens to be born with only one head.”

After an absence of eight years Christine Millie returned to her native land on October 1st, 1878. Her tour abroad was a continued ovation of success. She visited the principal cities and towns in England, France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Hungary, Austria, Holland and Russia. At every point the young lady was commanded to appear before the nobility and rulers of these great countries. Kingly presents and valuable jewels were given as tokens of appreciation not only of her as a remarkable curiosity, but of her graceful bearing, her contented disposition and of her artistic musical abilities. Before she had landed, upon her arrival, a representative of the _New York Herald_ greeted her, and the next morning that journal gave forth to the whole United States the return of one of its children, who had fully established herself to be the greatest curiosity of the greatest country in the world. Since her return she has exhibited to thousands in the cities of Boston, Philadelphia and New York. While in Philadelphia she again appeared before the professors and students of the Jefferson Medical College. Professor Pancoast for the second time examined her. A portion of his lecture is extracted from the _Philadelphia Evening Telegraph_.

This afternoon, at 1 o’clock, Millie and Christine were given a scientific examination by Professor W. H. Pancoast, at his clinic, at the Jefferson Medical College Hospital. The well-like room was crowded, and Professor Pancoast busy removing a cancer from a patient when the reporter arrived. During the operation Baron Littlefinger and Count Rosebud, two most intelligent dwarfs--perfect little men in figure--were present, and appeared interested spectators of the operation. In introducing Millie and Christine, the Professor said that he considered them the most interesting personages that have ever come under the notice of scientific men, far more interesting than the Siamese Twins. In the midst of his discourse the young ladies entered, clad in green silk on their two bodies, pretty little bronze boots on the four feet, white kids on their four hands. They moved forward like an expanded V, with a crab-like movement that was not ungraceful. Born back-to-back, the Professor explained that the natural desire of each to walk face forward had twisted them in their present position. Separate entities, separate individualities, each can pursue separate lines of thought and conversation independent of the other. From habit their appetites call for food and drink at the same time. All the ills of flesh are not, however, necessarily theirs in common. One may have the toothache and the other be free from any ache. But in the examination conducted to-day the Professor discovered a remarkable development of sensibility since his previous examination eight years ago. Touching them on any extreme of the body, on any foot for example, both in common were conscious of the touch. Christine has been and is now the larger and stronger of the two. As children they used to have little struggles and quarrels for supremacy, but, as they could not get away from each other, they early concluded that the best way to get along in their novel path through life was to yield to each other. Their present happiness and affection for each other is an example for couples who are yoked together in marital bonds. Sometimes Christine rolls over Millie in bed without awakening her. Both can sleep separately. They can stand and walk on their outside legs, but they prefer to walk on all fours. Millie cannot lift up Christine’s legs, or Christine Millie’s legs. Since the Hungarian sisters, there has been no similar case reported reaching adult life for 170 years. The bond of union between these, which is just above the bones of the spine, is chiefly cartilaginous, but the spines are so closely approximated that there is an osseous union between them. To the question by Professor Pancoast, whether either was engaged to be married, each denied the soft impeachment with decision, though the Professor explained that physically there are no serious objections to the marriage of Her or Them; but morally there was a most decided one. During the Professor’s lecture the Misses Christine Millie and Millie Christine appeared very much interested in the diagnosis of their singular condition, and evidenced their superior intelligence by their apt and ready answers.

While abroad Millie Christine made herself mistress of the French, German, Italian, and Spanish languages. Always industrious, she makes her entire wardrobe, even to her dresses, for exhibition purposes. She dresses herself without trouble. Having lived thus long together, they express no desire to be parted and hope to leave this world as they came into it--together.

THE MISSOURI PACIFIC RAILWAY COMPANY, St. Louis, Iron Mountain & Southern Railway Co. and Leased, Operated and Independent Lines. August Sundholm, P. & T. A. G. H. Richie, Guy E. Thompson, Ass’ts. S. W. Cor. Markham & Louisiana Sts. & Union Depot.

Little Rock, Ark., February 19, 1899.

Conductors S. L., I. M. & S. Ry. and Connecting Lines:--It is customary to carry Millie Christine on one ticket.

Respectfully, AUGUST SUNDHOLM, P. & T. A.

NORFOLK & WESTERN RAILWAY CO., Norfolk & Richmond Vestibuled Limited. Fastest Train in the South. VIRGINIA AND OHIO LINE. West and North-West. C. H. Bosley, D. P. A., Jno. E. Wagner. C. P. & T. A., 838 Main St., Richmond, Va. W. E. Hazlewood, P. A., 93 Granby St. under Monticello Hotel, Norfolk, Va.

Norfolk, Va., April 25, 1903.

To Conductors, Norfolk and Western Railway Company.

Gentlemen:--For your information I beg to advise that manager of Millie Christine, a dual woman, is in the habit of only purchasing one ticket for her. This custom has been adhered to and recognized by all lines.

Yours truly, W. E. HAZLEWOOD, P. A.

Certificates of Eminent Medical Men

Hundreds of certificates might be given, but the following are sufficient:

1,100 WALNUT STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA., Jan., 1871.

I have examined Millie Christine and consider her a more interesting anatomical curiosity than the Siamese Twins, on whose bodies I made (assisted by a colleague) a post-mortem examination. I consider the union of the Carolina Twin more curious even than the famous Hungarian Sisters, who were born October 26th, 1701. Millie Christine is joined by the sacrum and coccyx. The lower part of the spinal cords are united together. There are separate bladders, but one common vagina, one uterus to be recognized, and one perfect anus. The bond of the union at this date measures 26 inches in circumference.

WM. H. PANCOAST, M.D., etc.

1,117 SPRUCE STREET, PHILADELPHIA, PA., Jan. 20th, 1882.

I have had the opportunity (in conjunction with Professors Gross and Pancoast) of examining very carefully the celebrated Carolina Twin. She and they are simply wonderful in their anatomical construction--far more so than the Hungarian Sisters or the Siamese Twins. Intellectually they are separate and distinct, sexually but one. Rectum and vagina in common and possessing but one uterus.

T. H. ANDREWS, M.D.

NEW YORK CITY, August 5th, 1871.

The undersigned were among those who were invited to visit Millie Christine to-day, heartily concurring in all former medical reports relative to she and they being both two and yet but one person, stamping her as the world’s greatest and most interesting personage:

Dr. ANDERSON, Dr. DAVIDSON, Dr. BRUCE, Dr. CROMPTON, Dr. CHADSEY, Dr. COOPER, University Medical College. Prof. CARMICHAEL, Dr. E. B. BELDEN, Dr. WOOSTER, Dr. BEACH, Dr. C. H. BROWN, Dr. J. C. BOULLE, Dr. I. C. MCCOY, Dr. S. W. DAVID, Dr. BARKER, Dr. DEMAREST.

_Lancet_, Medical Journal of England.

The following prominent scientific men of Great Britain are among the few who vouch for the genuineness of the marvelous Two-Headed Nightingale:

SIR JAMES PAGET, Bart, Pres. R.C.S., F.R.S., &c. SIR W. W. GULL, Bart, M.D., F.R.C., &c. SIR W. FERGUSON, Bart, M.D., F.R.C.S., &c. SIR HENRY THOMPSON, F.R.C.S., M.D. HENRY FEE, F.R.C.S., &c.

And leading surgeons and medical men of Russia, Austria, Switzerland, Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Belgium fully concur and endorse the statements above given.

15 SOUTH CHARLOOT ST., 11th Jan., 1856.

I have this day examined Millie Christine, and find that the band of union is between 15 and 17 inches in circumference, involving at least the bones of the sacrum and coccyx immovable, uniting the sacral nerves and spinal cord, so as to constitute one individual, or two girls in one nervous system. I also find both heads sprightly and intelligent, and deem her a much greater curiosity than the Siamese Twins.

(Signed.) JOHN LEZARS, Professor of Surgery to the Royal College of Surgery, and Senior Operating Surgeon in the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.

NEW ORLEANS, 10th Feb., 1858.

I have this day examined the “Two-Headed Girl,” and find her to be a very remarkable anatomical curiosity. The spines are united, having rectum and vagina in common.

J.C. NOTT, M.D.

I fully concur in the above opinion.

THOS. HUNT, M.D.

ST. LOUIS, MO., May 28th, 1858.

We, the undersigned, having made a critical examination of the _lusus naturæ_, known as the “Two-Headed Girl,” now being exhibited in our city by Mr. Vestal, would beg leave to state that this wonder, as regards the pelvic arrangements is, in our opinion, one; in all other particulars double.

JOHN B. McDOWELL, M.D., B. F. EDWARDS, M.D., WM. CARR LANE, M.D., J. M. SCOTT, M.D.

ST. JOSEPH, MO., July 13th, 1858.

The undersigned, physicians of St. Joseph, having been invited to see the _lusus naturæ_ now on exhibition in the city, fully concur in the statement that it is the greatest wonder of the age, having two heads, four legs, four arms and but one body, and one consolidated pelvis, and perfect sympathy of desire.

W. I. HEDDEW, M.D., J. H. CRAND, M.D., J. A. CHAMBERS, M.D., O. B. KNODE, M.D., C. CATLETT, M.D.

ROYAL GUEST.

THE FAMOUS

Two-Headed Nightingale.

[Illustration: Royal Coat of Arms]

_Four Times by Command before the Royal Family._

_Thrice before the Prince and Princess of Wales and also before all the Crowned Heads of Europe._

A ROYAL GUEST.--By Royal Command, Mlle. Millie Christine, the marvelous “Two-headed Nightingale,” visited her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham Palace.--_London Times._

Mlle. Millie Christine, the famous “Two-headed Nightingale,” had the honor of appearing (by command) before H. R. H. the Princess of Wales, at Marlborough House.--_Pall Mall Gazette._

H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, accompanied by Prince John of Glucksburg and Mr. Paget, attended by Col. Keppel and H. I. H. the Grand Duke Wladimar of Russia and Suite, attended by Col. Ellis, paid a visit to the exhibition of the “Two-headed Nightingale” at Willis’s Rooms.--_Morning Post._

So much pleased was Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales with the “Two-headed Nightingale,” on her departure for the continent, she left orders that a couple of brooches should be presented to the two-in-one young ladies.--_The Standard._

They have been well educated, and appear happy, lively, and good tempered.--_London Times._

The “Two-headed Nightingale” sings popular duets very sweetly and cleverly.--_Daily Telegraph._

Her care will no doubt be regarded with great interest.--_London Daily News._

The Carolina Twin, Christine Millie, is the owner of a most valuable brooch, presented to her by H. M. G. Queen Victoria.

MILLIE CHRISTINE A ROYAL FAVORITE.--Piccadilly Hall was closed last night, for Millie and Chrissie were commanded to appear at Marlborough House--her third time there.--_London Times._

MUSICAL ENTERTAINMENT BY MILLIE CHRISTINE, THE TWO-HEADED NIGHTINGALE.

_Selections from the following, and many other songs, will be sung as Duets by Millie Christine, at each reception._

O’ER THE WAVES WE FLOAT.

_Words by J. E. Carpenter. Music by Stephen Glover._

O’er the waves we float, we float, Fairies two, in our fairy boat, Fanned by the breezes, rocked by the tide, In our nautilus barque we glide, we glide. When the strong cordage snaps in the gale, Safe o’er the surges we sail, we sail; In the bright calm we rest on the deep, And, lulled by the zephyrs, we sleep, we sleep.

Cast by the winds from shore to shore, A moment you view us, and then no more. The nautilus shell, by human eyes, Is seen on the waters, that sink and rise, Over the billows away and away; Ours is the freedom that knows no decay. Braving the tempest, and stemming the tide, In safety forever, we glide, we glide.

“As for Millie Chrissy, the two-headed girl, she is a perfect little gem or gems, or a gem and a half, we don’t know which. She sings with one or two voices very sweetly, and in dancing we never saw any one more graceful. We expected to see a monstrosity, but were agreeably disappointed; on the contrary, we found her pleasing in appearance, agreeable in her manners, and endowed with good conversational powers. Great care and attention must have been bestowed upon her education.”--_New York Times._

“Take the children and go to Odd Fellow’s Hall, and see the wonderful two-headed girl combination while you have an opportunity, and you will thank us for the advice.”--_Washington Republican._

WHIP-POOR-WILL’S SONG.

A BALLAD.

_Composed by H. Millard._

Oh, meet me when daylight is fading, And is darkening into the night, When song-birds are singing their vespers, And the day has far vanished from sight; And then I will tell you, darling, All the love I have cherished so long, If you will but meet me at evening, When you hear the first whip-poor-will’s song.

CHORUS.

Oh meet me, oh meet me, When you hear the first whip-poor-will’s song.

’Tis said that, whatever sweet feelings May be throbbing within a fond heart, When listening to whip-poor-will’s singing, For a twelvemonth will never depart; So then we will meet in the woodland, Far away from the hurrying throng, And whisper our love to each other, When we hear the first whip-poor-will’s song.

_Whip-poor-will, &c._

And in the long years of the future, Though our duties may part us awhile, And on the return of this evening, We be severed by many a mile; Yet deep in our bosoms we’ll cherish The affection, so fervent and strong, We pledged to each other this evening, When we heard the first whip-poor-will’s song.

_Whip-poor-will, &c._

“There are a lot of people in England, as elsewhere, always ready to strain at the smallest gnat and swallow the biggest camel, who will doubtless put this young lady down as outside the pale of ordinary humanity; if this prejudice should carry any so far as to lead them to avoid her, they alone will be the losers.”--_Liverpool Leader._

“This wonderful exhibition is of the most chaste character, and we can safely recommend it to fathers, mothers, sons and daughters.”--_Boston Transcript._

PUT ME IN MY LITTLE BED.

_Words by Dexter Smith. Music by C. A. White._

Oh, birdie, I am tired now; I do not care to hear you sing; You’ve sung your happy songs all day, Now put your head beneath your wing. I’m sleepy, too, as I can be; And, sister, when my prayer is said I want to lay me down to rest, So put me in my little bed.

CHORUS.

Come, sister, come, Kiss me good-night, For I my evening prayer have said, I’m tired now, and sleepy too, Come put me in my little bed.

Oh, sister, what did mother say When she was called to heaven away? She told me always to be good, And never, never go astray; I can’t forget the day she died, She placed her hand upon my head, She whispered softly, “Keep my child,” And then they told me she was dead.

Come, sister, come, &c.

Dear sister, come and hear my prayer, Now, ere I lay me down to sleep Within my Heavenly Father’s care, While angels bright their vigils keep. And let me ask of Him above To keep my soul in paths of right, Oh! Let me thank Him for His love, Ere I shall say my last “good-night.”

Come, sister, come, &c.