The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1905-11-24
THE "CODE" OF
MIDSHIPMEN
EFFORT TO SHOW THAT
ANNAPOLIS WINKED
AT FIGHTS
FISTIC CCONTESTSFREOUENT
Battle Between Branch
and Meriwether.

Annapolis, Nd, Nov "a LIN the fret
days court martial proceedings In the
case Of Midshipman Minor Merlwether
Jrg charged with the death Of Mldship-
man James r. Branch in fist fight, the
code under which dghts among mid
shipmen are conducted. was explained
Nldshlpnan A. w Fitch. who refereed
the fight which was followed by Branch's
death. stated that he had oniciated in
nineteen such contests. and Midshipman
McKittrick testified that he had taken
part IN nine.
Detailed accounts were given Of the
arrangements by which midshipmen on
duty acquiesced In absences without
leave and other derelictions IN order that
the fights might go on. and the testi-
mony also showed that although fire.
quently injuries resulted from these
fights and the recipients often had to
be taken 10 the hospital. nothing further
was ever heard Of them. This the de-
fense brought out on cross examination,
Il being evidently intended to show that
the authorities also "wlnked" at the
code and the pre-arranged fights un-
der 1t.
sideiIehts TO Hazing.
Interesting sidelights to hazing, or
"runniRg as it is called at the acad-
envy developed from the testimony OF
one OF the midshipmen, NIeriwether had
been generally dislked3 he said. because
he wGs too "ratty." that is, it was ex
planned. he did not abide by the rules
laid down for the government Of the
lower classmen Some OF these were
that he should never enter lovers
lane" an academy walk; that he should
turn all corners at right angles; that he
should not look at upper classmen- and
should answer most respectfully when
addressed by one OF them; that he must
never touch the table nor ask for any
thing during a meal. and under no cir
cumstances. fuss" that is, to be in
the society OF young women. These
rules and many others are contained in
the "code" relating TO the government
Of under classmen.
NIidshipman Earl w. Prichard, room
mate of Branch, gave very detailed tes-
timony as to the quarrel which led TO
the fight He said that the evening of
October 30. Meriwether had come 70 the
suite OF rooms occupied by himself and
Branch. with him being classmate'
Nidshipmap Yeager. Branch had gone
to bed In his own bedroom. but rose on
his elbow and turned on the electric
light as his two visitors entered. Meri-
wether opened the conversation by say
ing that he had come TO talk about the
way Branch had treated him. He said
that Branch had reported him either for
having suitcase in his room or for
having civilian clothes in the case. while
Branch was on duty. and Meriwether
called Branch a sneak"
Branch answered. What II 1 did?'
and Meriwether said, you used your
Official position 20 get even with me.
ana man who would do it is a damned
low down sneak and coward Meri-
wether was then threatened by Branch
with neing soaked" by the whole
second class, TO which Branch belonged
Branch adding, "You know they can
bnge (cause him TO faiD you il they
want To-. Meriwether said he knew they
could. but that he did not give
damn"
Prlohard continuing his testimony
said ihat after Meriwether had left
Branch asked him what he must do and
was told by the witness that he must
hght. The conversation continued be-
tween them. he said, and it developed
that Branch did not intend TO make any
report against Meriwether. on the ad-
vice Of an upper classman, Branch said
that he had decided 1t would be dirty
trick 10 do So Thus # is indicated
that The whole fight was based on Meri-
wethor's belief that Branch had done
something he mad not done.
Had Branch on His Knees.
Midshipman Harold v. McKlttrick a
classmate Of Branch, was then called. He
acted as a second 70 Branch and said the
fight took place in Bancroft han and tina.
the midshipmen officers made no report
Of 81. that being according 20 the code 70
The rounds were two minutes In dura-
ton. with one minute intermissions.
Early IN the fight one Of Branch's eyes
was closed. but up to the fifteenth
round he had somewhat the better OF
#. Then Meriwether had It a little In
his favor tin toward the end. when he
appeared fatigued ana cllnched 70 save
himself.
There were several miner fouls, ncne
OF which appeared intentional, nor lad
'iAny effect on the outcome Of the hght'
once, toward the last. Meriwethor fouied
by hitting in clinoh and offerei 10 give
up the fight. but this was not accepted
by Branch and his seconds. Another
time. Branch was on his knees pna un-
der the rules could have been hit. but
Meriwether would not hit him. Both
Of these were points IN Meriwether
favor.