The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-12-26
OTHERS DEVOTION
C0NV|NCES WIDOW
MISS BRANcHs WILL LEAVING
ALL TO CHURCH rs
FOUND.
CHRISTMAS IN JAIL
WOMAN WHO LIVED IN soNTrcEL-
Lo LAWYERS OFFICE THREE
YEARS WON'T TELL
LIFE STORY.
CHRISTMAS IN JAIL

MONTICELLO, N Y, Dec. 25-
Another mark Of the devotion of
Adelaide M. Branch to Melvin H.
Couch. in whose offices she lived for
more than three years, was found to-
day. 1t is will made by Miss Branch
bequeatning everything to Couch him
self
Not only did the woman seclude
herself N feritable den, constructed
in the lawyers inner off %, do his
typewrIting Tor him, attend to his
cooking, nurse him and comfort him.
but she wanted to give him everything
at her death.
Those facts were driven home to-
day on Mrs. Couch, the widow, and
her daughter. Louise, when they made
another search Of the office and final
ly opened small safe in the consulta-
ton ro) n of the lawyers Office.
Mrs& Couch and her daughter were
busy going over the property in the
room. They examined the will
curiousiy. Mrs. Couch was much i'm
pressed by the evidence 1T the wo-
mans devotion to her husband
Wife Amazed at Love.
She Is reported to be convinced OF
the intense love which Miss Branch
has for her husbands me mory. and
W OCfichG Mat thSlS tdh DS no opuhl
of the spiritual quality of Miss
Branch's affection
Mrs. Couch put the will with other
belongings OF Miss Branch found in
the cubbyhoIe, and turned them over
to Sheriff kinnie for the woman. Miss
Branch, however, was greatly anger
ed today to find missing q picture of
C"Ich, which she had In her trunk.
She begged the sheriff to get ii for
her, saying that it was as lear TO her
as the memory of the man.
Miss Branch was cheered today bS
the Information that her brother.
Herbert o. Branch, will arrive here
tomorrow evening from Hartwick,
near cooperstown. to take her away.
BY that time, 1t is expected that
George II. Smith, her attorney, viii
have turned her mortgages INTO cash.
Won't Sell Life Story.
Meantime. the woman spent the day
quietly In the hospital ward OF the
jail practically locked in. but per-
mitted at any time to leave. should /
she decide to do so. she has sent out |
notes that she does not wish to see /
reporters and Will say nothing to them /
She has refused offers OF $500 or /
more, Tor Interviews, and or muCn I
larger amounts for the story of her
life. She has refused them emphati- |
eally.
AS fact. however. she Is being /
guided by friends of Couch, who are
using every means to prevent her /
telling her story TO the public. The /
fact is that Couch knew the greater /
part of the scandal OF Monticello. and |
that she, from her point OF vantage I
in his Office, knew the same Things
herself, COUGHS friends do not want
her TO talk. and they say so frankly. /
Gets Presents I'm jail.
II am feeling much better" she said
to one of the women who visited her
today. She was delighted with the
many expressions Of sympathy sent
her in kilograms. letters and with
small Christmas presents.
The Rev, Il. C. Underhiil of Rich
nond Hin, n. Y. sent n telegram today
70 Herbert o. Branch, care of Sheriff
urging the brother to send
Miss Branch to Florence Crittenden,
II 21s Third street. Washington, D.
=. The reason for the recommendation
1as not been made plain.
DR.. Gauthers, coroner and health Of
fcer. said today that the report that
stanley b. Smith committed suicide
through brooding over the death of
Couch was absurd.
II knew Couch, and I knew Smith"
le said. Il know also that Mr.. Smith
was no intimate friend of Couch, and
scarcely knew him at all except by
sight"
.