The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1913-12-24
Miss Branch Had Lived i'm
Monticello Lawyers
Former Office.
STILL HELD IN HOSPITAL
All Charges Are Withdrawn.
hut Her Mental State MAY
Re Questioned.

h'tH iiNht-'. ~ Dec. -O.-Tne III.
neral Of Melvin II. Couch and the reyela
tons that have followed his death caused
general sorrow here to-day. He was the
best loved man in Monticello.
Convinced that the whole truth would
end the scandal more quickly than half
The truth pr. J. r. Curlctte, brother i'm
: Law OF Mr.. Couch. told this evening the
story Of adelaide NJ. Branch's secret life
IN the Office OF Mr.. Couch for the last
three years and OF similar life in
,oars preceding in the old building that
was destroyed by fire in 1909
That story was related to Dr. Curlette
~hcn he was summoned early Sunday
morning to Mr.. COUGHS deathbed. The
woman hysterical over the loss Of the man
Nhorn She had loved. admitted that there
had been a secret relationship between
them in the old building extending back
for possibly ten years. that in all those
Years she had been n self-senten need
; prisoner in a small compartment on the
lawyers inner office
Dr. Curlette's story.
Tho mind of the woman" the doctor
sad has been affected to such an extent
thai 1t is feared she will commit suicide
the moment she is alone. For that reason
she has been constantly under the eye Of
trained nurse. Though she has been
discharged from the custody OF the Law
ho,auso District Attorney Cooke has found
Yp,ltps. nnN which he r.. efa N har abo
Is in such hysterical condition that
she Is still All inmate of the hospital in
thc county jsil---not against her desire.
howoyer--and will remain there until her
lawyer. .N-County Judge Smith. sells her
mortgages, amounting to $500, and fur
rshss funds on which she can live
Otherwise she would go out into the world
ponuil.ss. Even then 1t is feared she
might end her life"
rr. curette's story came at an oppor-
tune time. Through the conflicting state
rieuts made by the various county officials
and a poorly managed attempt to conceal
tho facts rumors spread that an effort
WAS being made TO prevent the woman
from telling her story and that she was
being detained illegally. DIR. Curiette was
sctuated in part by his wish to heed the
WIDOWS pathetic request
Let us bury poor Mels body. let every
thing come out and let us forget every
thing as quickly AS possible"
Dr. Curlette entered the office of the
District Attorney after the funeral. Men
ard women who had trudged through the
slush we're returning home. 1t was al
most dark when he walked in. lie
ha this n q
fair that any person would give over his
own name.
4 secret Well Kept.
y give you my word OF honor, gentle
men" he said. that no man In this
town knew OF the existence Of Miss
Branch in Couchs Office UP to the time
went there on Sunday morning.
! had no idea of il. While ten years ago
there we're rumors of his friendship for
her they died out after she disappeared.
II knew he was i'll last week, for
had treated him for hardening OF the
arteries near the heart. Nevertheless. ]
was surprised when l was awakened on
Sunday morning about o'clock by
woman half dressed, who excitedly told
me Mel was ill.,
who are you and how do you know?
asNed, as looked at her sharply and
realized she was not a member OF COUGHS
family
Never mind now.' she answered but
!oo Will come. won't you?
= said ] would, and when I reached
COUGHS office found him dead ! knew
~ once it was caused by collapse OF
Inc The WeeDlpP
T'eously. I said to her;
You are not his wife What are
son doing here?
g. NE
go away at once commanded, and
thrust her into the hall.
90 Please, doctor she pleaded. I can't
20 have no money. my clothes are
here. and IT vii, cause a scandal
WHO are you? ] asked again.
am more than his wife, she an
swered, pushing her way back into the
'nnrr office. i am his soul mate She
kept repeating that word soul mate in
uathctic manner.
Doctor she continued, leading me to
'H' cubbyhole. look at this cell. You
: - ! nave no right here. Look at this
'"t' No wife would have lived there
a. ! have for three years, doing his
:. GEOGRAPHY and typewriting, bandaging
n. ankle, looking after his wants, keep
I"i charge Of all his papers, and cooking
''' nun. No wife would have endured
''l AS ! have, nothing hut a heaven
"'.n love would make woman endure
To- that.
Now'' she continued. weeping her
nahSing down over her face, = have