Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-11-22

ple that he did hate. but Branch had dis
played bitter enmity to him ever since ne
had been in the academy. and he in,enaea
TO soak him tho first time he got
chance. The following day. or few days
after Meriwether announced to Vahdecar,
that 1T was all fixed up, and now Will
nave a chance to get even.
He said: MY chance has come now.
Branch has challenged me- and the hgnl Is
going TO be soon" Witness then detained
Dranch's inspection of Meriwetners quar-
t.rs. 1t seemed that In Meriwethers ap-
sence Branch had examined Dress sur
case In which he found suit or cluzeii
clothes For this he reported MeriWetne,
who called Branch a sneak and coward.
I'm croSs-examinat.on and after being
shown a copy of the naval regulations, WI
ness admitted that the ex limitation maoe ~
Merlwether's absence was vfoia'ioh VI '"e
regulations 49,.
ard who was a roommate OF Branch, ana
who was present when the insult was pass
ed prior To the fisht. Pritchard said that
Branch had turned In on the night IN ques-
ton when Meriwether had sought MIN IN
his room Meriwether accused Branch OF
having gone through his room In his abb
sence and then called him sneak and
cowa rd." with some profane trimmings,
adding that II Branch wanted to take that
sort OF language it was all right, he LEFT
the room Branch asked his chum what
he thought OF the occurrence. and Pritchard
replied that there was only one thing 10
, wcther with a challenge. He made this
statement as a matter of course. as though
sending a challenge was regular estab-
lished custom.
Meriwether's Call on Branch.
Midshipman j. A. Eyer, who was with
Meriwether when he called at Branchs
room. was then called. He recalled the
circumstances of the visit about as Branch
room-nate had described them, and said
that Meriwether had told Branch that he
knew why he had come to call upon MN:
Branch replied: You are a d-n 1901 10
take this thing up. You know every one
has been on the lookout to report you
THAT is not true" replied Meriwether,
"You are the only man in the academy
who has ever reported me-.
Ii was also brought out In the examina-
ton that there were a number or Things
that the first-year men were not allowed
TO do. They were not allowed to walk In
certain parts OF the grounds. especially loS-
ers' lane; they might not walk with any
girls except relatives. This is known as
"fussing" and they were compelled to SIT
erect at table without touching the table
with their hands.
Violating these rules was characterized as
being ''ratey." or, in other words. break
ing the rates. Branch told Meriwether he
had always been too ratey and for this rea-
son the upper classes were down on him.
There was considerable discussion over
point brought out being that Branch had
called Merwether "A damn fool for COM
ing to him. and that Meriwether had
told Branch that II he would get up out OF
bed he would knock him down there. These
were sthe immediate exchanges OF words
that preceded the challenge.
Physical Records of the Boys.
Dr. r. E. Hoyt, the physical director of
the academy then appeared with the physi-
ba these
IL appeared that Meriwether was seven
pounds the heavier OF the two. but Branch
had three and five-eighths inches advan-
taxe in height. On the strength test i'll
the gymnasium Meriwether had made 6o3
Kilograms and Branch S'4 Kilograms There
were no records of the reach of the Two
men but DR.. HOyt thought they were
about the same.
No Rule Against Fighting.
CAPTAIN Colvocoresses, the commandment
OF midshipmen, identified the gloves that
had been used in the fight. He said they
were what are known the punchtng-b bag
gloves" In ordinary ring par,ance they
would have been about two ounce. Captain
Colvocoresses said that there was no reg
ular prohibition In the Naval Academy reg
ulation against lighting. He had known of
one case in which seven dement's had been
given for lighting. This case was entered
in what was known as the president
Book" but was not Official and was merely
for the guidance of the commandment. OF
the practice of fighting IN general captain
CoivocoresSes conveyed the impressions that
he disapproved AS TO the specific case OF
Meriwether and Branch. he said that IN
speaking of the case afterward he had re-
marked that II the blow had Immediately
followed the words IN that quarrel there
would have been no serious consequences
He explained that ne meant phys-c cal con-
no punishment
would have been the same.
Asked whether there had been any other
fights between midshipmen since he had
been comma ndant of midshipmen Capt.
edge"
There was a mild smile by some of the
younger members of the court at this reply,
and the question was not pressed.
Capt. Colvocoresses said that he had Sug-
gested the punishment of twenty-five de-
merits and dsrating in the case of mid
shipman officers concerned In the fight.
This was afterward increased to fifty de
merits. This action, however was sus-
pended until after the death OF Midshipman
Branch.
Replying to President Ramsay Capt Col
vocoresses said that his first recommends
ton had Included the principals well
the seconds and timekeepers in the fight.
Apparently had Branch not died this would
have ended the matter. 1t was of interest.
too. that in the course OF his testimony
Capt. Colvocoresses referred TO the code"
which was supposed by some officers not TO
exist.
The Fight Described.
Mdshlpman Vincent. who was the second
Of Branch in the fight. was then called, and
admitted carrying the challenge. There
was meeting of Humphrey, Vincent and
Jaeger In Vincents room. where the details
were arranged. and two first classmen were
chosen as referees and timekeepers.
Midshipman Vincent then described the
fight in detail. 1t was about even up to the
fifteenth round, and In the twentieth Meri
wether committed an unlntentional foul
Meriwether called attention TO 1t and offer
ed TO forfeit the fight, but II had been ar
ranged that the fight should go to a finish,
SO the contest went on.
When asked by the judge advocate what
the participants did about supper formation,
since the fight took place during supper,
witness replied that he had gone to the pet
~ officer in charge and said that as he was
a second in fight he would be absent. SO
far as he knew the other participants did
the same.
AS to Branchs condition after the fight
witness said 1t seemed to be perfectly sat-
isfactory. bar two black eyes. He helped
Branch to take the hot shower after the
fight, and then left him In Pritchard's
charge. thinking no more OF the matter.