The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-24
ADDITIONAL PAGES
OF LIFE REVEALED
Woman Who Was Willing Slave
OF Lawyer Couch Tells
Her Story
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DEATH
Begs Physician for Poison, So
That She May Die on His
Newly-Made Grave.
NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR DEATH
Especial to The Times Dispatch. =,

III.
Alonticello, y. Y. December 23.-As
additional pages of the secret history
OF MS life were displayed to-day for tn e
Inspection of neishbors who had hon
orcd and respected him, the BODY OF
Melvin H. Couch, lawyer and iur;et
was borne silently through the village
streets to its last resting place in Rocl,
Ridge Cemetery.
Iru" To him in death a S she had been
."roush lie. Mrs. Couch hraved driv-
ing snow and hailstorm to pav Last
Ntributc to the father OF her children
In hcr hour of sorrow the grief-strick
Ell widow was comfortcd by the pres
ence OF scores. who. like herself. had
hFed III ignorance of the LAWYERS
strange dual personality.
Denied the privilege of attending tho
funeral and burial OF the man for
whom she sacrificed. as a willing slave
or so-called love. the hest years of her
life. Miss Adelaide NJ Brance. who
characterizes herself his wife OF the
heart viewed the cortege from n
barred window of the Sullivan County
Jan, She wept as this last chapter
In the extraordinary drama was being
enacted.
Not Responsible for Death.
Al O'Clock this morning, just twelve
hours before the body of Couch was
lowered into his grave. Miss Brance.
after trying third degree ordeal in
her cell. was vindicated of all resnon-
sibility for the death OF tho man She
had loved. She was also freed of tho
technical charge of petty larceny, and
told that she was at liberty to leave
Monticello.
Miss Brance collapsed under the Sc
we're cross examination. and two ply
sicians. Drs. Curlette and Cauthier. and
MIS- Andrew Dunn, the Jail nurse re-
manned at her bedside in the hospital
ward until morning. She was not
physically able to leave the prison
She begged Dr. Curlcttc. n brother OF
Mrs. Couch, to give her sufficient poison
to end her life
Give me poison, doctor" she blend
ed. II want to die. End my life now.
or l VIII kill myself when leave here
Yes. ] will die on the grave of Mel
vim
There is Il story going the rounds in
the village Tonight that Miss Brance
ala attempt TO hang herself in the hos
however. TO confirm the story. Her
father. Squire" William Brance.
hanged himself ten years ago in Hart
wick. where Miss Brancc was born
Her brother, Herbert o. Brance. is now
postmaster ut lLartwicS
Couch Died Alone.
1t developed to-day when Miss
Branco told her story that Couch did
not die III her arms, as has been re-
ported. When he was stricken the
woman left her barren prison and
went TO summon DIR, Curlettc When
she returned to the law Office in the
Temple. Couch had breathed
his last. When DR.. Curlettc reached
tho office few minutes later, how
ever. she had her arms about tho neck
or the dead man and was weeping.
Who arc you?" DR.. Curlotte asked
in surprise.
This is my home," she sobbed at
belong here. FIe was mine, He was
my soul-mate"
Puzzled by the presence OF tho wo-
man whom he had never seen, DR. Cur
lettc. brother-in law OF Couch, sent
her into tho secret chamber, which had
been her home for three years. and told
her to remain thore until he returned
FOR her In the meantime DR.. Cur
CONTINUED on Third PaEal