The Washington times., 1905-11-24
AUTOPSY ORDERED,
BODY OF BRANCH
TO Be EXHURED
The MeriWether Defense
Scores Victory in Fm8
Point Made
APPEAL TO BONAPARTE
Court Acquiesces and Will
Make Request of Secre-
tary of Navy.

ANNAPOLIS. Nd. Nov. 24.-As
Lis O'Clock this afternoon, Admiral
Ramsay. president of the Meriwether
court-martial, announced that the
court had decided to grant the re-
quest Of the accused that an autopsy
be performed on the body OF Mid
shipman Branch. and to ask the
Of the Navy to order such
autopsy.
Lieutenant Commander Robinson
requested. on behalf of Alidshipman
Meriwether. that Naval Surgeon
Ames. now on duty at the Academy.
and Surgeon Gateweod. on duty in
Washington. be present at the au-
topsy, as physicians who had pre-
viously been connected with the case.
Court Gives Consent.
Admiral Ramsay and Captain
Mark consented on behalf of the
court.
The autopsy VIII probably be per-
formed tomorrow
IN The meantime. the defense viii
proceed with the examination Of wit
nesse-
Ask Autopsy
JusEafser the prosecution fastlss 81.
wether case closed It's present ton y
testimonv- AT l2:s0 tlss aTterlsus.ss. Lien
tenant Rohisoa. fcT tFie accused. moved
that the eourt-zaarfici orafr al cx-
humafion or siae body of Midshiuman
Branch
Captain Mark. the Judge atIvseSte.
stated that he thought the cour, had
power to do this but suggested that the
permission of the family of the deceased
De first obtained
District A1tsrney Rose. who Is watch
Ing the Interests CT tac Department OF
Justice al she trial asserted that there
WAS no question but that 4 civil court
had power TO issue such an order. but
that he thought il best fer naval
court in the circumstances. not 10 un-
necessarily harrow the feelings of the
deceased's family.
The court then went into executive
session TO consider the mater.
During the reading OF yesterdays
record AIeriwether and his counsel.
A4E4LSAatL &DL1tllAnIEE EiQUttESOHs HElA
an earnest conversation. After the ap-
proval of the record the judge advo-
cate said the prosecution would can
one more doctor who had attended
Midshipman Branch The witness was
Dr. Mccormick. OF the Academy Hos
pital.
Probably by Fist Blows.
He testified that Branch came under
his observation between 1880 and IL a.
IN. on November g Witness described
Branch's condition. which practically
tailed with the testimony given By the
doctors yesterday. Witness said
Branch's condition could have been pro-
duced by fist blows on the head.
I Replying 10 the Judge advocate, WIKI
ness said the primary cause of death
was the blows 10 head received during
the night On erass-examination by :
i NJ Munro. civilian counsel for the ao-
cused. witness said IN autopsy might
1 have revealed different cause OF DEATH
! It was possible, witness said, that an
[ autopsy might have revealed an inter-
] vening cause OF death between the tight
ma death. The witness was positive IN
his opinion that the primary cause Of
( Branchs death was the repeated blows
! Witness Under Fire
I Admiral Mccormick. Of the court,
asked the witness numerous questions.
the purpose of which was 10 establish
the fact that while the blows 10 the
head may have been a primary cause
of death. yet other conditions could
have existed which an autopsy would
have revealed, the conditions BY them
selves being sufficient TO cause Branch's
Admiral Mccormick displayed min
ute knowledge of anatomy and save ths
/ impression that at some time or other
he had practiced medicine. He prac-
tieally put the witness through a civil
questions asked the witness would not
say that earlier medical attention WOuis
] have beea beneficial
Only an Autopsy.
Ia answer TO "A question from counsss
/ Tor the accused witness said that only
an autopsy could have determined posi-
/ lively the true cause OF oeath
The last question asked the witness
Was put bv United States District At
I tornev Rose I3e asked Has any
thing taken place since Noef eNamina-
: tion to change your opinion tnat The
= primary cause of Braneh : death Was
the blows 20 The head!
! '.%othing. / 3nl stiil 81 thlt opinion"
/ replied Dr 8icCmmick
/ Dr Stone came in and corrected his
/ Il siinIonN Of yesterday. lsI ans sNsF 10 =
} question from the 5adEe .sstNOcatv, Df.
4 Il one said be last ass sect Ia , pils-
/ sicat examination "a Eraacii us March
/ \ 1905, and at tiIat tiaue tsse tlidshlD-
( man condition was St-tutistru-
Admiral Mccormick. OF the c0ure.
i wanted TO know if Il we're aul possible
/ for mtdshipman 20 GeNel9a 2 disease
/ OF the heart immediate y after an ess-
I animation. DT. Store said suca hing
could occur but il VS. not prGb8 be