Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-11-14
MIDSHIPMAN
IN TROUBLE
INQUIRY IS ORDERED IN REGARD
TO THAT FATAL RING
FIGHT.

Eanaparte today ordered a court mar
tial for the trial of Midshipman Minor
Meriweather, Jr., of the third-class, at
Annapolis naval academy, in connec-
ton with the death Of Midshipman
Branch, which followed a fistic en-
counter between the two naval stu
dents.
Secretary BOnaparte issued the fol-
lowing statement in connection with
the case:
James Branch. Jr., a midshipman,
second class, died at the United States
naval academy at Annapolis about 10
a. M. November Z. A board of in
quest having been duly convened by
order of Rear Admiral Sands, U. S. NJ,
superintendent of the naval academy
and senior officer present, in accord
ance with the provisions of articles
1875 and 1776. of the United States
navy regulations. reported under date
OF November 8. as follows
"The board from a view of the
body and from the evidence before
it, is of the opinion that Midslipman
James H. Branch. Jr.. died from the
effects of injuries received in a fist
fight with Midshipman Minor Meri-
weather Jr This was not occasioned
by any act of duty in which he was en-
gagged
This report was approved by the
converting officers. Prior to the death
of Midshipman Branch a board of in
vestigation. appointed under the pro-
visions of Article IVA of the United
States navy regulations. had investi-
gated and reported the circumstances
preceding and attending the conflict
referred to in the finding of the board
of inquest. Briefly stated. these cir
oumstances were reported by the
board of investigation to be as fol
lows:
Some personal hostility had exist
ed for some time past between Mid
shipmen Branch and Merriweather
'Midshipman Branch. in the dis
charge of his duty, inspected the quar-
tiers of, Mdshipman Merriweather.
and he is alleged to have discovered
there suit of civilian clothes. Pos
session of clothing of this character
by midshipmen is a serious offense I'M
der the regulations of the United
States naval academy. No report of
this alleged discovery, however, ap-
pears to have been made by Midship-
man Branch. Midshipman Meriweath-
CT subsequently visited the quarters
of Midshipman Branch and became en-
gagged in an angry alteration with
the latter on the subject of his in
spectiOn of Merriweather's quarters.
In the course of this dispute, Midship-
man Merriweather is alleged to have
insulted Midsnipman Branch, apply
ing to him the epithets Sneak COW
ard. After consultation with other
nidshipmen, Midshipman Branch chal
lenged Midshipman Merriweather to
fist fight. and the latter accepted the
challenge. The fight took place on the
evening of Sunday, November 5. 1t
lasted between an hour and an nour
and quarter, and was finally declar-
ed to be a draw by the referee, hav
ing been interrupted by reason of the
reported approach of one of the Off
GERS. At the conclusion of the en-
counter Midshipman Merriweather ap-
reared to be the more seriously in
jured of the two combatants, and went
to the hospital while Midshipman
Branch, whose injuries seemed at first
superficial, went to his quarters. A
the naval academy by the senior med.
ical officer, and also the evidence TAX
ell by the board of inquest, indicated
that Midshipman Branch received Sc
we're injuries to the brain as the re-
suit either Of blows on the head, in
flicted during the conflict, or Of falls,
of which several are said to have oc-
Cured while it was in progress
"sTha dana ri mont M nacoccitv
for the appointment of a court of in
curry in the premises. 1t is clear that
these reports apply to Midsnipman
Minor Merriweather. Jr., offenses of
such gravity that his trial by court
martial is Indispensable. Section 5341
Of the United States revised statutes
reads as follows
Every person who, unlawfully and
wilfully, but without malice, strikes,
stabs, wounds or shoots at, or other
wise Injuries another, of which strik-
ing stabbing, wounding, shooting or
! otherwise injured such person dies,
either on land or sea, within or with
out the United States, is guilty of the
| crime of manslaughter.
'In view of the foregoing facts a
court martial is hereby ordered for the
trial of Midshipman Minor Merr-
weather, third class, on such charges
as may be preferred against nim and
all papers in the case are hereby re-
ferred to the judge advocate general.
1.-The department feels that it has a
duty to discharge against Midshipman
Merriweather in connection with this
deplorable affair by reminding the pub
lie that he has had no opportunity
! to give his version of the affair, and
that in view of the very serious stu
alton in which he is placed, he will
rot have any such opportunity before
ne makes his defense under the court
martial. The department therefore
asks as an act of justice a suspension
OF judgment respecting his conduct I'M
til he has been heard in his own de-
fense."
Secretary BOnaparte said today that
the department would take no indie
pendent action with respect to the
midshipmen who participated in the
fight between Midshipmen Branch and
Merriweather as referee, seconds, etc.
unless such action is recommended by
the authorities at the naval academy,
who have been instructed to investi-
gate the matter and apply such discip-
linary measures as they may deem
called for by the circumstances.
|
Professor Royee's idealism.
Professor Josiah Royce of Harvard
whose "Idealism" has received some