Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-11-23

that he had only reported one man
since he had been at the academy ana
that lie could not help.
Meriwether rejoined that If he ever
reported him he would have to hight.
There was some further talk about the
standing of the families to which they
belonged, and the affair closed with
Meriwether calling Branch a "sneaking
coward, and a damned coward" and
mo gentleman"
After Meriwether and 1eager hau
left. Branch asked the witness what
he should do and was told that a 1lght
was necessary. Afterwards Branch had
told him that he had not reported Merl-
wether An upper classlnan, Moves,
had spoken to him about it ana he had
concluded that it would he a dirty
trick to do SO.
Ralph Yeager, a claSsmate of Meri-
wethcr and who went to the room with
him on the night of the quarrel, testi-
fled that Branch had called Meriwether
"a damn fool when he came to the
room, and said that he was damn
ratty." BY the latter Ycager explained
that it was meant that he did things
that the code" did not allow for mem
bers of his class.
1t was explained that Il fourth class
man, for instance, has to keep away
from certain walks Of the academy,
turn squarely at corner, never look at
an upper classman, never talk to girls,
observe certain regulations when eat
ing and speak most respectfully when
spoken to by an upper classman. This.
it appeared, was still the unwritten law
of the institution where hazinS has
been abolished
DIR. Robert f. Hoyt. head of the de-
partment of physical culture at the
academy, furnished some interesting
data on the comparative size and
strength of Meriwether and Branch.
While Meriwether was slightly older.
heavier and taller. Branch was larger
Of chest and arm and his total per-
centage Of strength was about one-fifth
greater than Meriwether's.
Commander COlvocoresses was ques-
toned by the judge advocate i'm regard
to the attitude of the academy authori-
ties towards lighting. He said most
emphatically that there was no wink
ing at it but every such offence would
W puIitSltu severely IL kIlON II. ne
also testified that all midshipmen were
made acquainted with the regulations
Of the navy by printed copies and by
oral instruction. He showed the court
the gloves which had been turned over
t. him as having been used in the fight
They are known as punching bag
gloves and have almost no padding.
Midshipman Harold V. McKitterick
who acted as second for Branch dur
ing the fight. told of the arrangements
and the insistence of both PARTIES that
the fight should be to a finish. The
fight itself, he testified, lasted over %
rounds of two minutes each. with one
minute intermissiOn. Early in the fight
one of Branch's eyes were closed but
he was holding his own. At the end
of the goth, Meriwether foulcd by hit
ting in the clinch and offered to forfeit
the fight. This Branch and his seconds
would not allow. insisting on Il finish
Earl w. Pritchard. the roommate of
Branch, was recalled and said that af-
ter the fight Branch had been given a
hot shower bath and treated with tow
els soaked with hot water and applied
to his head and body. Branch, he said.
had complained about soreness in one
arm and parts of his head. but had
talked naturally. The witness retired
at A. NJ. and arose at $50 He then
saw that Branch was unconscious and
one leg and arm had Il convulsive
movement. He then notified the au-
thoritieS.