New-York tribune., 1905-11-30
2 BRANCH IS BETTER OFF. 7
Me7i10ether EnUi6s Dead MidShap-
mQn-Defence Rests Case.

Annapolis, Md. Nov. 29.-Midshipman Minor
Meriwether took the stand In his own defence
to-day before the court martial which is hearing
the charge of manslaughter against him lot
causing the death of Midshipman James h
Branch in fist fight. Midshipman Meriwether
was warned by the court that he was not
obliged to commit himself in any way. At the
close Of his testimony the defence rested its
case. -..'
He said that he had been systematically per-
secuted and run by Mfdshipman Branch after
the time he first met him on the Santee Septem-
ber l, 1904 when Midshipman Branch was put
there for misconduct. He related several cases
when he had been run" by Midshipman
Branch, and then told of the events Immediately
preceding the fight. He said: .#.z.
When We were transferred to the Arkansas
from the Hartford, / heard that Branch re-
quested first class men to report me for sneak
ing. When returned to Annapolis Branch
and I were put in different classes. L saw
Branch so to my room for an extra Inspection
1 went to Mr.. Bradley and asked him If there
had been an extra inspection. ordered he tHel
told me that Branch had asked to get report
against me if he bradley could. <a@e
That night after consulting my friends Went
to Branch's room with Jaeger. asked Prttchard
if I could see Branch. and was told that coulo
I went into Branch's room, and the light was
turned ] said that had come TO see MN
about what occurred. Branch said:
''You are a fool to come to see me; you
know that my class hates you" ] said, That IS
not SO; you the only one who does Branch
then asked What If / do?' said, "Then you
are a - sneakng~ coward and I Will fight you,
though / am not in fighting condition. added:
IF you get up 1 wifi lick you" He saidI You
mean you will try That's what / WILL 1
said, "and if you get up 1 will show you he
did not get UP, and after little further con-
Yersation Jaeger and left the room.
1 called Branch what ] did because j was
told the custom was that a fight would end
feeling and Branch had told me he was going
to "bfIgel me; that is, make fail, and /
wanted to fight and end the matter j did
not intend to fight when j went to the room,
but he again told that he intended to bilge
Meriwethers counsel then asked him about
his refraining from hitting Branch during the
fight although allowed to do so under the rules.
The witness told of two instances of this, ex-
planning that he did not believe any blows
should be struck in stand-of fight unless men
are on their feet. He also told how he fouled
and offered to give up the fight, but the seconds
would not allow it. OF the fight itself Midship-
man 1Ieriwether said: -.~.4 e-s
During the fight we first fell under the blinds.
About the twelfth round rushed Branch and
hot1 fell sideways through the door. The next
round Branch hit terrific uppercut It stunned
me for some rounds. I returned TO ms Jaw.
He threw his head back and returned, LS4lt
swung my arm around his neck. We 1eH IN
that position. his head striking the floor. We
were lifted up. My arm could not be used Io5
the next two rounds. My left arm was cruSfeq
in football game about three years dSb' L
had a severe operation, but failed physically
However 1 passed the next year. The arm Is
stiI weaker than the other.
Neriwether then showed a deep scar on the
wrist of the left arm. He said a silver plate
had been put in there. He continued:
At the end of the twenty-third round NIT
Branch came across the room and we both
anoIoe,ized. and he said: "Afterward we will be
friends" He then left and 1 have never seen
him since We parted friends. could not
60 TO breakfast the next morning had 70
90 to the hospital. About o'clock the next
afternoon was told by a nurse that Branch
was dead. / requested official inVestiSatlo9
Tv fhe superintendent. 1 was hurt and grieved
was indeed more fortunate in being IN hrs
Mace in going to sleep and not waking up than
to be in mine and having to live this hte aIter
this sad and deplorable affair
In answer TO a question. Midshipnan Merl-
7vether said that if he had not resented Branch
continued actions he would be in the same posi-
tion as another classmate with whom no one
has anything to do. -
The prosecution then began its cross-exahl-
instion Midshipman Merlwether said IN answer
70 a ouestiou: =" Hazing' consists of physlca!
exercises Running is much worse than haZLnS'. =.
C,aptain George P. Colvoc0resses, connrnandtIlt
of Tnidshfpuen, was the first witness Tor the
rabu+taI AS commandant, he said, ne looh
the stand that fighting at the academy was
against good order and discipline ana Wouid
NOT be tolerated. This. he said i lhIilh -
also the view of Superintendent Sands.