Daily Kennebec journal., 1913-12-24
FOR The LOVE
OF THE LAWYER.
Remarkable Story of Slave
Like Companion of Late
Melvin H. Couch Woman
Lived a Prisoners Life in
His Office.

Monticello, \. Y. Dec. 23.-Melvin II.
Coucn, former district attorney of Sui
Ivan county, was quietly buried this
afternoon, leaving behind him no writ
ten word to explain what will go down
as the mystery of Monticello-his
strange dual existence and associations
whit his slave-like companion, Ade-
laide Brance who, for three years, was
virtual prisoner in his office.
From a cell in the Jail where she was
held on a technical charge, the woman
saw the funeral procession pass on to
the cemetery. She had expressed
wish to be at the graveside, but the
lawyers widow forbade it. Later this
afternoon she was to be released.
Then l am going to vanish" she said.
Couch died on the lounge in his Of
flee early Sunday morning. His COM
p1nion, shrieking, gave the alarm and
summoned physician. Then for the
first time it became known that for
three years she had. for the love of the
man, existed in a tiny quarter of the
office partitioned off as a combination
sleeping, living room ard kitchen.
Couch visited his wife and daughter
at his home every Sunday but spent
most of his time in his office. The
Branee woman says she loved bim de-
votedly, that he returned her love and
that their relations dated back d5
years, when she was a book agent and
CHANGED to cali on him.
Bit by bit Sheriff Frank L. Kinne
and George L. Cook, county prosecu-
tor, have brought out the story of
Miss Brance's life with Couch, whose
death she announced in so dramatic
a manner Sunday at the home of DR..
j. f. Curlette, brother-in-law of the
dead attorney
It was due to the discovery of the
presence of the woman by the widow
when she was led to explore a room
in his offices her husband had always
forbidden her to enter that the story
became known and the manner of the
life for three years of the voluntary
prisoner revealed.
Miss Brance told the prosecutor that
many years ago she lived at Goshen,
life she withheld. After much ques-
tioning she told of her life in the lit
tie room opening oft Couch's offices,
of how she never went out except at
night and then only when she was
sure no one would see her, and how
she lived on provisions brought to her
by the lawyer and through it all was
happy because she loved and was
loved. as3A
She said she was 40 years old and
had been a book agent, but stopped
there except to add that it was while
trying to interest Couch in book 10
years ago that their friendship began.
They met 2at frequent intervals after
that time, 1slle said, until about three
years ago. when they concluded that
secret meetings that lasted day at
first could sbe prolonged to a week,
then weeks and finally led to her TAX
ing up living quarters in the lawyers
office.
When confronted by the widow of
the man with whom she had lived in
secret for so long, Miss Branee begged
for forgiveness, crying piteously. L
loved him. / loved him.
Although her hair is streaked with
gray end her face pallid from her en-
forced confinement. Miss Brances voice
is well modulated and the quality of
tone bespeaks education and culture.
At the county Jail, Miss Brance has
denied herself to all callers, saying that
she desired only to be permitted to
leave the scene of her love and TO be
forgotten.
An autopsy performed upon the body
of Couch revealed that his death had
been due to heart disease. The cord-
ner's verdict was accidental death. Fol-
lowing the autopsy the body was TAX
en- to his late home at hte request of
the widow Mrs. Couch refuses to dis
cuss the case.