Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-10-23
DEATH OF 50 PENN,
A Noble Corean Killed By an Express
Train-His Work in This Country.

a Noble Corean Killed By an Express
Train-His Work in This Country.
| prince of the royal blood died last night
1t was Corean blood but it's claims to royal
qualities were probably as well founded as
those made for the purple nuid which seems to
be SO necessary on every continent save this.
baltimore and Ohio express train collided
with the frame through which circulated this
particular species Of regal liquid, smashed the
mortal shell, sprinkled the drops Of sovereign
origin over the shining track and released the
soul Of Su Penn.
WHO WAS 50 PENN?
Early in the seventies . commission, COM
posed OF eminent men, left Corea for the pur-
pose Of investigating the civilizations beyond
the seas. OF this commission was
Su Penn, man Of eminence
and an enthusiast matters pertaining
to agriculture. By and by the embassy reached
the United States aud Ii was then that Su Penn
saw, for the first time methods which if intro
duced and operated in Cores would do more to
relieve poverty and exalt the farmer
than, than any other plans that could
seekers after knowledge soon acquired all the
information and experience they deemed neces-
sary and, finding that Su Penn was neither
ready nor anxious to move toward home,
they departed without him. su Penn
seem to trouble him; he was engaged
in preparing for work that would emancipate
thousands of his fellow-beings from the thrall-
dom of poverty and he did not propose to
have his scheme frustrated by the lack OF in
terest evident in his fellow -ambassadors. Pro-
vided with ample means he pursued his investi-
cations and accumulated a large amount Of
valuable information.
STUDIED IN The AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The search for agricultural knowledge finally
brought the Corean to the Maryland Agricul-
tural College and for four years he studied
therein. His early education had by
no means been neglected. He had at
tanned scholastic and scientific distinc-
ton in his own land; had graduated
from the highest imperial institutions Of China
and had imbibcd knowledge from the royal
fount at Toxic. Japan but to him-a man forty
years OF aSe-lt seemed that there was much to
be learned in the Maryland Agricultural Col
lege. He graduated in June last, but about a
month previous to that event called at the
Agricultural Department and talked with
Assistant Secretary Willitts as to how he
might continue for time his investigation
into American agriculture. He desired to
learn something of the manner in which the de-
partment was conducted, to understand the sys-
tenn thoroughly. For time it seemed as though
there was no place in the department where the
Corean could be economically used, but
1t was finally decided that he might
be of some value in statistical work, espe
clally such as referred to Japan, China and
Corea- great deal of matter to these
countries was in possession Of the department
but no one had ever been able to do anythin
with it
APPOINTED By SECRETARY RUsK.
Su Penn, however, could speak and read both
Chinese and japanese, and he could also read
and write English, so it was finally decided to
give him anappointment for period Of ninety
days. Then he was set to work on this
statistical mine which no one had ever been
able to get anything out Of He succeeded
admirably, ;u;! because, as Assistant Sec
ricaiiurai sense With marked SS'i linguistic a
ability. One OF the tangible results
OF Su PENIS employment-which commenced
on July l6-was visible in the departments
monthly report for October. About one
to agriculture in Japan, and those who
ought to know say that Su Penn's work will
compare favorably with anything of the kind
ever done in the department.
Sq fenn's probationary term expired just a
week ago, but he was reappointed. for
he was engaged on compilation
which should show the condition of
agricultural affairs in China. He did
not want a permanent appointment, for it was
lbs intention to return 10 COrea as soon as the
opportunity arrived.
PRACTICALLY AN EXILE.
10 nave returned In recent yeans would have
been seri Gus affair, for rumor has it that
either by his absence or his advanced ideas
Su Penn had offended the ruling pewers,
and after suffering the loss of his
great estates, or the income they brought in.
had been notified that Corea would be well
pleased to have him remain permanently in
America or in any other country-always ex-
cepting Corea.
it was while waiting for his relatives to change
their minds on this matter that Su Penn was
struck by a locomotive.
THE FATAL ACCIDENT.
Last night Su Penn was at College station, on
the Washington branch of the Baltimore and
Ohio railroad. He was watching for the COM
ing of way train which ordinarily passed
at about that time and which would
convey him to his home at Charlton Heights,
a belated express train. Not knowing of the
change and to make the stoppage
of the train more certain Su Penn stood in
the center of the track and waved his
hands as signal to halt The en-
saw the signals but it was too late, and
although the Corean endeavored to get
out OF the way he was struck by the
engine and fatally injured. He was at
once conveyed to the residence of Mr..
D. NJ. Nesbit Of College Park, and there,
at HIS pm, died the man who had given the
best years Of his life to an endeavor which he
hoped would have been beneficial to his fellow
beings.
Oticially the Corean legation in this city is
said 10 know nothing Of the unfortunate noble
man. Prudence would dictate such ignor-
ance, for they have habit in Corea
OF abbreviating the anatomy Of dis
obedient officials to such an extent that one
can see through the space once occupied by a
human head as easily as you can through one
of those highly ventilated hats that seem to be
so popular in Corea-
Admiral Ammen and Maj. Avord, president
Of the Maryland Agricultural College, were
among the few intimate friends Su Penn had in
this country. Admiral Ammen will attend to
the funeral arrangements.