Newspaper

Newton Kansan, March 22, 1963




Alden Branine, prominent Newton attorney, ended his life with a bullet through the head at his home here today.

Mrs. Catherine Hudson his secretary, heard the shot while preparing breakfast for him and ran to the bedroom finding the body in bed.

He had been dejected at times since the death of his wife in 1960, friends said he spoke of suicide in conversations with Mrs. Hudson, but she thought she had talked him out of committing and act of violence before returning to the kitchen, she explained to friends.

Five minuets later, she said she heard the report of a gun. It was a .38 caliber revolver. The bullet entered the right temple and emerged from the left. The holster was found on the floor near the bed.

The act took place about 11:20 a.m. Corner Carl O. Tompkins reached the home at 1609 Hillcrest Road, five minuets later. There were no signs of life the corner said.

attorney Fred C. Ice, Mr. Branine's law partner, had visited with him a short while before, and before leaving the residence he had asked Mr. Hudson to remain there until he (Ice) returned from Cottonwood Falls this afternoon.

"He was morose, but he said nothing to intimate hat he might be considering suicide." said he. "He talked about a trip he expected to make to California real soon, and signed a power of attorney for the handling of some local property in his absence. A few minuets after I left Mrs. Hudson called me by phone and reported the sad incident.

Although in semi retirement from active practice, Mr. Branine was senior member of the law firm Branine, Ice, Turner and Ice.

His three daughters, Mrs. Victor McCall of San Antonio, Tex., Mrs. Howard Roberts and Mrs. Nancy Kerckhoff, both of Covina, Calif., have been notified and are on the way to Newton.

Mrs. Fred C. Ice is a sister. A daughter, Mrs. Jean Gould, died here several years ago.

Mr. Branine was a son of the late Ezra Branine, early day Newton attorney. He was a veteran of World War I, and had served as county attorney. He was affiliated with all the Masonic bodies here and of the Shrine and Consistory in Wichita, the American Legion and the Elks Club here. He was 65.