Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1905-11-23
MERIWETHER TRIAL BEGINS
Nidsbipmsn Who Engaged in Fatal Fist
Fight Before Court Martial
MAN KILLED WAS IN CLASS ABOVE HIN
Inquiry develops Fact that cadets
I'm Common Have a Code of Their
own and that Fighting
f. Frequent,

ANNAPOLIS. Md. Nov 22.-Midshipman
Minor Mcriwother. jr. Of Lafayette La,
member of the third class OF the naval
academy, was put on trial here today be-
fore a naval court martial on charges that
include that Of manslaughter in having
caused the death OF Midshipman James r.
Branch. jr, OF New York, a member Of
the class above him, az a result Of r. pre-
arranged fist fight which took place on the
evening Of Sunday, November last
The sad accident OF the death Of young
Branch under such circumstances has been
widely noticed. and has called attention to
tho existence at the naval academy OF an
unwritten code governing the student body
but quite outside the authoritative regula-
tons, and generally i'm violation Of them
Under the code" every detail OF these
fights is fixed, the midshipmen on duty alb
staining from reporting them and excusing
from formation those connected with them
These facts were very clearly brought out
both by the judge advocate and in the
cross-examination by Lieutenant Com
mander Robson for the defensa
The witnesses today included Branch's
roommate. the referee ana timekeeper Of
the contest and all the four seconds were
examined in a greater or less degree about
U
nection Of the code" and their ideas OF
their duty under the regulations.
Midshipmau A. w. Firth. who referaed
the fight which was followed by Branch's
death, stated that he had oficiated in
nineteen such contests, and Midshipman
Mck1ttrick 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 derelictlons in order that the
nights might go on, and the testimony also
showed that although frequently severe in
juries resulted from these fights and the
recipients often had TO be taken to the
hospital nothing further was ever heard
OF them. This the defense brought out on
cross examination, It being evidently in
tended to show that the authorities also
winked at the code and the prearrange-
ment of the fights under it,
Ha1inE stilI I'm Vogue,
Interesting sidelight to hazlng or run
ming" as it is called at the academy, de-
veloped from the testimony of the midship-
men,
Meriwether had been generally dIsliked,
he said, because he was too "ratty." That
is, IT was explained that he did not abide
by the rules laid down for the government
were that he should never enter lovers
lane" an academy walk. that he should
turn all corners at right angles, should
not look at an upper classman, and should
answer most respectfully when addressed
by one of them, that he must never touch
the table nor ask for anything during
meal, and under no circumstances fuss"
that is, to be in the society of young
women. These rules and many others are
contained in that part OF the code" relat-
ing to the government Of underclassmen.
Branch had been one OF the midshipmen
who. according to the testimony, deter
mined to make life mot worth living for
Meriwether because he wouldn't abide by
these rules, and from that the enmity
arose.
The accused is defended by Lieutenant
Commander James X. Robson. U. 8. N,
and James NJ. Monroe OF the Annapolis
bar.