The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-30
Y. .E2!HEfilEa IS
 ;;.5 OWN WITNESS
fcont'nued from First Pace,

---~4- ---.- his head back and returned but swung my arm around his neck. We fell in that position his head striking the floor We were lifted up. My arm could not be used for the next two rounds. My left arm was crushed in a football game about three years ago. l had | severe opera ton but failed physically. However, l passed the next year. The arm is stlli weaker than the other"
 Meriwether then showed a deep scar on the wrist of the left arm. He said d silver plate had been put in there.
 ''At the end of the twenty-third round, he continued MT. Branch came across the room and we both apologized, and he said:
 Afterwards we will be friends He then left, and I have never seen him since. We parted as friends. I could not go to breakfast the next morning. 1 had lo go to the hospital. An orderly came and said there was man unconscious in tho hall. He was brought to the hospital l waited until the operation was over that night and Dr. Ames told me that Branch was doing well. About 3 o'clock the next afternoon I was told by nurse that Branch was dead requested an official investigation by the superintendent. I was hurt and grieved beyond expression. I think that MT. Branch was indeed more fortunate In being in his place in going
 
 mine and having to live this life after l44.s sad and deplorable affair."
 In answer to a question Mer1wether said "If had not resented MT Branchs continued actions, l would be in the same position as another classmate with whom no one has anything to do. Under these circumstances I would have to resign and could never hold up my head again"
 The prosecution then began the cross- examination. Meriwether said in answer to q question:
 "Hazing consists of physical exercises. Running is much worse than hazing."
 Lieutenant Commander Robinson: tiaz- ing Is a moestation."
 Meriwether: Branch had taken a num- Der of opportunities of reporting me and asking others to report me-
 Declines to Discuss Running.
 The defendant was requested to de- scribe running as Branch had conducted 1t toward him:
 Pressed for direct answers as to what Branch had done, Meriwether said: T don't care to relate them"
 Meriwether then whispered to the Judge Advocate and the question was withdrawn. It was evident that Meri- wether hesitated to mention certain things before the women of whom there was number in the court room. He then declared that he had not been 'ratty," but had unfairly acquired the reputation.
 Admiral Mccormick and Captain Berry of the court asked the witness several questions on different phases of the case. Meriwether admitted that he had told Lieutenant Commander Zeigemeir that he had said "Go to he'll" to Branch when reported about taking the fruit and when the officer had altered the report. He fur ther said that although the report had not gone it, the fight went on because of not gone in, the fight went on because of hs continued acts of animosity towards him and in order to prevent occurrences. At the end of Meriwethers testimony the defense announced that 1t had closed it's case.
 Captain Covocoresses, commandant of mdshipmen, was the first witness for the rebuttal He told of conversation with Midshipman Churchill Humphreys. pres ident of the second class in which he had told Humphreys that he was under oath to obey all regulations. He as com mandant took the stand that fighting within the academy was against good or der and discipline and would not be tol- erated
 This" he said, "I think Is also the view of superntendents."
 Midshipman Is Dismissed.
 Midshlpman Joseph R. Williams of Pater- son, N. J., of the first class of the naval academy, who testified before the court martial today, was this morning dropped from the navy for general inefficiency by order of Secretary Bonaparte.
 Mldshipman Williams testified yesterday that Commander Hugo Osterhaus had re-