In the year 1900 the Trans-Siberian Railway was completed.  Its 6,600 miles of rails, if laid in a straight line, would pass one-quarter of the distance around the earth!  It had traversed an unexplored continent, creating, as it moved along, homes for the workmen, schools for their technical instruction, churches, hospitals, inns, stores; converting a wilderness, in fact, into a semi-civilization at the rate of a mile a day for nine years!  And whereas in the days of the Mongol subjection it required four years for the Grand Princes to go from Moscow to Sarai, near Pekin, to prostrate themselves before the Great Khan, many perishing by the way from fatigue and exposure, the journey from Moscow to Pekin may now be accomplished in two weeks.  In perfect good faith Japan commenced her task of reformation in Korea.  But the way was obstructed by the large and powerful family of the Queen, who were, in fact, the chief vampires in the kingdom.  A few Korean miscreants led by Japanese officials formed a plot to get rid of these people, seize the Government, and then administer the reforms themselves.  Forcing their way into the palace Oct. 8, 1895, there was enacted a tragedy similar to the one which recently horrified the world in Servia.  While the King was being insulted and dragged about by his hair, the fleeing Queen was stricken down and stabbed, several members of her family sharing the same fate.  She, it is said, was then carried, still breathing, to a grove in the park, where, after having kerosene poured over her, she was incinerated.  Such was the fate of the intriguing but fascinating Queen of Korea, of whom Count Inouye said:  “She has few equals in her country for shrewdness and sagacity, and in the power of conciliating enemies and attaching friends.”

The King, a prisoner in his palace, allowed to see or speak with no one, unaware of the death of the Queen (as were all except those engaged in the plot), was compelled to sign odious edicts framed by a cabinet composed of men upon whose hands the blood of his adored wife was scarcely dry.  The first of these brought for his signature was a royal decree deposing the Queen, “who for 33 years has dulled our senses, sold offices and titles,” etc., etc.  “Since she will not give up her wickedness and is hiding and plotting with low fellows, we hereby depose her and degrade her to the lowest rank.”  The King declared he would have both his hands cut off before he would sign this infamous paper, which did not prevent its appearing with his name attached.

After four months of this torture the wretched man escaped in disguise and found safe asylum in the Russian Legation, where he remained for one year.