Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-11-24
Court Grants Defense's Request To
Dis-Inter Remains of Midship-
man Branch To Estab-
lish Cause Of
Death.
LIEUT.. robson REQUESTS The
PRESENCE OF DR.. II.
E. AMES.
This Mornings Session of Court
Was Largely Taken Up With
Further Medical
Testimony.

The most important development IN
the court martial of Midshipman
Minor Meriwether, Jr., at this morn
ing's session was the determination of
the court TO grant the request of the
counsel for the defense and eXnumc the
body of Midshipman James Il Branch,
who died as the result of the fist
fight with Meriwether and have an
autopsy held.
This decision was reached after an
executive session of the court shortly
after noon. The request Of Lleutan
ant Robson came after the morning
session mad been taken up entirely
with additional medical testimony by
N, and Surgeon ]. F. Stone, who
was recalled to the stand after DR..
Mccormack. The continued cross
examination of these witnesses. like
that of DR. Finney and DR.. Thomas
yesterday afternoon, seemed to leave
the question of the absolute certain
cause of death an open one. All of the
medical men examined so far by the
court have admitted that death may
have been caused by fracture at the
base CT some other portion of the
skull. although they would not swear
positively whether or not there had
been such o fracture.
For this reason the determination
to investigate the body was arrived
at. A telegram asking for the neces-
sary orders from the Navy Department
was a once dispatched to Secretary of
the Navy Bonaparte. At the same
time the request of the counsel for
defense that Surgeon Howard T.,
Ames, u. S. N, fleet surgeon of the
North Atlantic feet, and Surgeon
Gatewood, of the Naval Hospital at
Washington. be ordered here to attend
tile autopsy, was forwarded to the
department. This move will delay
even further the ending of the court
which will undoubtedly continue fan
into next week.
The testimony this morning, as said
before. was all of an expert medical
nature, the principal examination be-
ing conducted by Admiral McCor-
mack, retired), of this city. This
officer showed an unusual insight into
the case and fired direct questions
" ith cleor points in view at the wit,
ness. The question of the possibility
of other causes having aided, if not
produced the death of Branch was
gone over carefully by this officer at
the medical hearings both yesterday
and the day before. 1t had been tes-
titled by Midshipman Pritchard that
extremely hot cloths were placed on
Branch's headsafter the fight to reduce
the swelling about his eyes and face.
With the former doctors this appli.
cation of heat had been pronounced
as incapable of doing any harm or
good in the real seat of trouble. Ad-
miral Mccormack this morning asked
the surgeon il these very hot appli-
cations might not have increased the
amount OF blood ia the head of Mid
shipman Branch. The answer was
1T would AS Branch's head had
been wrapped in hot towels for scv-
eral hours after the fight, this was by
far the best point brought out by the
medical testimony in favor OF Meri-
we ther.
The question Of the physical copdi-
tion Of Branch was again opened and
by the questions of Admiral McOor-
mack it was brought out that Midship-
man Branch had been examined physi-
cally last on March s, 1905. At that
time, according to the records sub
mitied by Surgeon K. p. Stone, the
condition Of the dead mldshipman was
-EANEllEuA
tious including his heart. Admiral
Mccormack then asked If it were
shown that midshipman. after being
examined by the Academy surgeons
and passed as .. X. lad died of heart
trouble in two weeks. would it appear
that the examination had been thorough
Surgeon Stone said that it would
not and added that no one was infal-
liable.
Admiral Mccormack then requested
that the records of the case of the
late midshipman Clark be submitted.
This case is well remembered in An
napolis. DIR. Stone, under cross exam
ination by the court, fled by Admiral
Mccormack, admitted that in the ex.
animation of Midshipman Branch q
weakness of the heart might have
been overlooked, saying that such
might be possible, but hardly prob
able. +" The case Of Midshipmar
Battle, who last year dropped dead
as Sunday dinner formation. was also
introduced and discussed. The import
ance of all of this medical testimony,
was, however, over sbadowed by tht
determination 70 perform an autopsy
on the remains Of Branch. and this
will be the next big advance in get
ting at the real root of the cause oi
death
The sessions of the court today were
attended by much more comfort fol
all concerned. as the place Of meeting
was transferred from the little coopeC
up room in the recitation shed to ths
large reception room Of the officers
mess building nearby. This allowed
additional room for everyone and
quite number of persons were admit
ted TO the court and heard the testl
mony during the morning session.
Midsbipma1 Meriwether was agar
attended bv his uncle, Col. ". H.
McNutt, Of Memphis. Tenn, VINO
however, was compelled TO leave fol
his southern home this afternoon
Although he will not permit any O
them to be published, it IS knowi
that the accused young man Is dali.
in receipt Of kilograms from all part
of the-country, but particularly from
the South, expressing sympathy ans
commenting him for his behavior
one particularly strong one was re
ceiYed today from Mrs. Carolin