Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-03-04
|IuC|DE LADY OF '.klBE DISSUADES
 | MANY FROM DEATH
trange Japanese Woman Maintains Vigil for UnfOrtunateS

Naw York, Mar. 3.-High up on a
 ;ll overlooking harbor where great
 .ean liners nose in from the Pacific.
 ves the Suicide Lady of Kobe. Her
 ea1 name is Mrs. Jo, or Jo-San, as
 F, is respectfully called by the These and foreigners who know
 It was only during the past
 Ear that Jo-San became the Sui
 ide Lady. Her husband was 8
 Ehristian pastor. For Is years af-
 er his death, Jo-San worked as a
 lible woman among her people, open
 np her home to those who were in
 istress and her heart to all whose
 ives she touched.
 Her evolution into the Suicide Lady
 oncerns certain railroad crossing
 Suma and bad Japanese tendency
 cut the skeins of life instead of
 irving to untangle them. Suma be-
 anne a popular suicide resort. Men
 md women came from many parts of
 apan to end their lives by jumping
 Into the sea, or by throwing them
 elves under the wheels of passing trains. Police stationed at the Railroad crossing managed to prevent bcme of the suicides, but the number Ii deaths remained large.
 It was when police measures failed
 hat Jo-San had her inspiration. One
 Hay all Suma was startled to see a large sign board at the railroad crossing and another near the water bearing the words:
 Would-Be Suicides,
 Stop Moment!
 If for any reason you feel you must take your life, please call on me and talk it over.
 This announcement was followed by Jo-San's name and address. In 6ust four months, 160 for peace and after many years of service to Budda, women and girls turned back from death to accept Jo-San's invitation. Geisha girls in pitifully gay kimonas and young women from excellent families stum- bled side by side up the hilltop path which leads to Jo-San's..
 One of the first surprises was the fact that the majority of the women came from well-to-do homes. One of them was the daughter of fa- nous Tokyo educator. who had mar ried against the wishes of her family md who was too produ to let them lnow that she regretted the match. Another rebelled against a forced marriage with rich silk merchant many years her senior. Another, he wife of public official, was ,ersecuted beyond endurance by lisapproving mother-in-law. One # the first to come was an aged wo- gan who had spent five years and &ly all her savings making cir eof al lthe Buddhist holy pglaces Hthe island of Japan. She hoped hat by making the 25O-mile journey yer and over, she would at last find cage. One day, during her pill flmage, Buddhist priest held her p on the high road and robbed her all her money. Disappointed in CT quest the gray-haired woman ulned her steps towar3 the Mecca | Suicide. Jo-San's signboard car " It's message of hope to her and |sit was that woman who had sought eace for five years in the holy laces of Buddha, found it at last the gospel of Jesus.
 Loss of health or occupation tfalned family relations, and intem- crate husbands started the large laJor1ty of the women, on their jour- ey to Suma. One young woman had ntered house of ill-repute, in order ;, pay the expenses of her husband mo n was studying at an American Tho the life was more lah she could endure, she had no re- reaches whatever for the husband ut her In it. She was his wife, and lerefore bound to make his welfare CT first concern.
 |, I:,erhaps this modern graduate in l'lilanthropy would find fault with o-San. It is doubtful. if she ever card of a card-index system. If ae ot her girls was referred to as
 case' she would not understand er only system lis to open her oiae to those who need a haven l,rlng the days of readjustment, to 'li on the disapprovfng mother-in- w, the unkind father or the in mperate husband, to find employ eht tor those who must support ;;eeimselves, and to touch each life ltn the golden wand of the gospel. '-ean may be quite unscientific in 1T methods, but the fact remains at of the 160 discouraged women no sought her aid, not one has since Ken or attempted to take her life. 'mehow or other, Jo-San must have t them right.
 onder the name of the Women's eliare association, Christian work s m Kobe give what support they III to the Suicide Lady. But the use on the hilltop is no longeer ige enough for all who have turn
 pack from Suma; and as Jo-San's 'rk IS undenominational, no one ara has assumed responsibilty aeretore the interchurch world oVement survey committee for Kobe asking $2,0O0 for a new house, so at those who come to Jo-San may
 sure Of shelter during the first ying days of readjustment.
 meanwhile Jo-San's fame has ,ead abroad turnout Japan, and. y py day, up the steep path go ,aiy factory girls and disappointed res, unhappy gerishas and tired old Ii;e.ail i;fn seeking as their last hope
 iie the Suicide Lady of Kobe.