Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-11-30
PARTEDASF FRIENDS
Midshipman Meriweather Relates
Details of Fight With
Branch.
WAS COMPELLED TO DO 1T
Fatal Injury inflicted When Both Went
to the Floor In
Rush.

Annapolis, Md. Nov. 3O.-Midship-
man Meriweather yesterday related to
the court martial the whole story of
his quarrel with Midshipman Branch.
a quarrel which led to a fight, after
which the two young men shook hands.
made mutual apologies. and parted
friends
Meriweather told of the prosecutions
which led up To the quarrel and the
challenge to fight. Some of these per
secutions consisted of insults which
could not be repeated in the presence
of women in the court room. and had
10 be whispered to the judge advocate.
Fought 10 End Feud.
After telling of the quarrel in
Branch's room. Meriweather contin-
ued:
Il was told the custom was that
fight would end the feeling and Branch
had told me he was going to 'bilge'
me, that is, make me fail, and | wanted
10 fight and end the matter. l did not
intend to fight when | went TO the
room. but he again told me that he in
tended TO 'bilge' me-
Meriweather's counsel then asked
him about his refraining from hitting
Branch during the fight. although al
lowed TO do so under the rules. The
witness told of two instances of this
kind. explaining he did not believe any
blows should be struck in a stand off
fight unless the 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.
Details of the Fight.
During the fight said he. I'VE first
fell under the blinds. About the 18th
round | rushed Branch, and both fell
sidewise through the door The next
round Branch hit me a terrific upper
cut 1t stunned me for some rounds.
l returned to his jaw. He threw his
head back and l returned, but swung
my arm around his neck. We fell in
that position, his head striking the
floor We were lifted up. My arm
could not be used for the next two
rounds. My left arm was crushed in
a football game about three years ago
| had a severe operation. but failed
However. passed the next
year. The arm is still weaker than the
other"
Meriweather then showed a deep
scar on the wrist of the left arm. He
said a silver plate had been put in
there
Both ApolOGized.
"At the end of the 23rd round" he
continued. Mr.. Branch came across
,lo
he said: 'Afterward. we will be friends.
He then left and / have never seen
him since. We parted as friends. |
could not go to breakfast the next
morning. / had to go TO the hospital.
A man came and said there was a man
in the hall. He was
brought to the hospital. ! w'tited un-
til the operation was over that night,
and DIR. Ames told me that Branch was
doing well. About 3 O'Clock the next
| was told by nurse that
Branch was dead. / requested an Off
cial investigation by the superintend-
ent.
sad Memory All His Life.
81 was hurt and grieved beyond ex-
preston. | think that Mr.. Branch was
iiiOit lbl tilifit III D'IhS III MS Ildtt.
in going to sleep and not waking up.
than To be in mine and having to live
this life after this sad and doplorable |
affair"
In answer To "A question. Meriweath- !
CT said:
IF | had not resented Mr. Branch's.
continued actions / would be in the |
same position as another classmatc |
with whom no one has anything TO do. |
Under these circumstances / would