The Washington times., 1905-11-24

.
20 the Academy July Is. 1858. and died
from the effect OF an embolism Of the
brain July >, ten days later. The wit
ness said an examination may nave
failed to discover the presence OF the
SYMBOLISM as no one IS lnfaihbie ne
bringing out the facts in connection with
Midshipman Park death IS regarded as
a strong point for the defense. as tt
helps 10 establish their contention that
Branch had q VegStuD.e growth thar
caused a rupture or an artery which
produced a hem0rrhage IN the brain and
caused death.
Want Remains Exhumed.
At 1915 the judge advocate announced
that the prosecution closed, and Lieu
tenant Robinson. for the accused. said
ne was not ready to produce his witness
until after the recess. but he would at
this time ask the court 70 authorize the
exhumlng OF the body that an autopsy
be performed IS that would settle many
questions that ought to be settled. The
judge advocate said that the court had
no such power. and that 10 have an
autopsy it would require tHas consent OF
Mr.. Branch. father of the deceased mid
shipman-
Clark Died of EmboIism.
There were two features of the AIeri-
wethcr court-martia today One was es-
tabiishing The fact that Midshipman L.
F. Clark had died from an embolism of
the brain. which IN many respects was
similar To the condition disclosed by the
operation on Branch.
This camc in the nature OF "a surprise
and was sprung by Admiral McCor-
mick. who has displayed a keener in
terest IN the trial than any other mem
Der of the court. DR. Stone had been
recalled. ana was questioned by Admiral
Mccormick about what the doctor would
think OF q lnidshiprnan passing the en-
trance examination and then developing
vegetable growth resulting in an en-
holism of the brain a day or two after
the examination.
The doctor expressed something OF a
doubt. and then il was that the admiral
produced the death certificate OF Clark
~ which it was shown that the, con-
uttlOn causing Clarks death was almost
Identical with the conditions existing
at the time OF Branch's death. This Is
regarded as the strongest evidence Yet
given for the cause OF the accused
The other feature was the closing OF
the prosecution earlier than expected
and the request by the defense for an
autopsy
Evidence for Accused.
Admiral Ramsay. president of the
court. announced that counseis request
for an autopsy had been granted and
that the Secretary OF the Navy be re-
ouested by telegraph to order an au-
topsy.
The court also granted the request Of
Counsel Robson for the accused 10 have
Medical Director Or. II. z. Ames and
DR. J. D. Gatewood present at the au-
Court took recess until o'clock.
Ancient City Excited.
Little is discussed at the Academy and
IN the little naval city OF Annapolis
outside of the Meriwerner case, the mid
shipmen code Of honor and the proba bic
result OF the trial Interest attaches
largely TO the effect on the traditional
system Of honorable satisfaction for per
sonal insult which has obtained for
fifty years IN Uncle Sans naval school.
The impression IS fixed that Meri-
wether cannot be convicted Of man
slaughter. the testimony introduced by
the prosecution showing eoncIusively
that aside from the steps taken by
Meriwether To provike the fight, the
contest was perfectly fair. and that
MeriWether displayed sportsmanlike for.
bearance at all stages of the hght
All malice and wantOnaess on Meri
WetnerS part We're preeluded by his at
titude IN Offering 10 forfeit in the TWEEN
tieth round. after committing Il technf
cal foul, and In the fifteenth round WheI
he refused 70 strike Branch when The
latter slipped and was off his guard
OIenses of a minor character under
section OF article s of the naval regu.
iauon-uslng profane language and en-
gaging IN a prizefight with Branch-f0I
which MeriWether is being tried in ad-
ditiOn 10 manslaughter, have been am
ply established by Judge Advocate
Mark.
Many Other Fights.
lfe~s-~-rt7.s--s
only be such q proof OF the existence OF
the system as to exoaerate him individ-
ually or more blame for having fought
Branch than has been carried away from
the Academy by nearly every officer who
has graduated in the memory Of men
for nearly every graduate has had one
OF more fights.