Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-11-25
ADMIR-. MCCORMICK CHALLENGED
CONTINUED from Page One.)

tilted from the academy record as to a
physical examination of Branch about
eight anonths prior to his death. This
examination, he said, included the heart
and no disease of that organ was dis
cerned. If Branch had been in such a
condition III November as to cause his
death from brain trouble, the witness
thought, there would have been some
evidence of it which would nave de-
vcloped at the examination eight
months previous.
Admiral Mccormick asked this wit
ness if the heart examination Of a
lnldshipman was thorough. The wit
ness answered that it was.
'"rlen,' said Admiral Mccormick.
IF l showed YOU the record Where Il
young man passed that examination
and two weeks after died from embol-
ism Of the brain due to negation of
the heart being carried there, would
you cnalige your answer?
II would not" said DR.. Stone. Mis-
takes of course may occur.
A startling incident occurred during the
croSS-eXaminaton of DIR. stone by MI
Munroe, M"riwether's counsel. lie was
asked some questions connected with the
death of Midshipman Battle, which oc-
Cured at the academy last year. The
cause CT death was not certainly revealed
by the autopsy, the witness said, but an
old injury to the brain was discovered,
and 1t was rumOred that THIS had Deen
ocotsioned by an injury which Battle mad
received in some hazinS, occurring when
he irst entered the academy. He hid no
personal Knowledge of this, he SAID.
Reference having been made to a mid
shipman who died of brain trouble shortly
after his entry into the academy, the
prosecution evidently thought 1t better to
lay it before the court from the medical
records. The case was that OF MldShir-
man Lawrence IF. Clark, who entered the
academy having passed his physical cN-
animation on July l., 1903. He almost in3-
mediatcly was confined to his bed III the
hospital. and on July p died. An autopsy
revealed that he had died of an embol
ism or clogging of the blood vessels ol
the head due primarily to Il vegetation
from the region of the heart being car
rird to the brain. This condition. the re
port OF the autopsy said. existed prior to
his entrance to the academy.
At the close of the morning session, the
court granted request OF the counsel
for the accused that the body OF the late
Midshipman Branch. whose death Oc-
CURED after his fight with McrlWethtr, be
eXhumed and an autopsy held.
Branch has now been dead about three
weeks and the surgeons ut the trial say
IT Is not certain how accurate the results
OtlSlllt'i VIII De. 1lUHCNtl, tllt t-orS-
questions asked of the prosecutions wit
nesses indicated that they expect to raise
doubt rs to the good physical condition
of Branch previous to the fight. 1t is
hoped tnat the autopsy even now can
develop whether Branch had such an or
ganic weakness as TO make his death
from any other cause than the blows re-
ceiyed ia the fight possible, and further
more may develop the exact cause OF
death and connect it, or the contrary, |
ho In lu-C Igr-a, III r.,l
Fhe request was made by Lieut.. Com
mauder Robson after the conclusion Of
the proseeution,s testimony. which was
announced by Judge Advocate Mark.
The court was cleared and after II con-
sultatiCn of 4 quarter of an hour. it was
opened and Admiral Ramsay said that
the court had determined to grant the re
quest and that the secretary OF the navy
would be requested to order the body eX
humed and post mcrtem held.
Lieut.. Commander Robson then re-
que Stcd that Medical inspector Howard
Z. Amcs and Surgeon, James ID. Gatcwocd
be summoned to be present at the autor-
sy. The judge advocate assentcd to this
and it WAS ordered by the court
The prosecutors case is now closed bur
evidence can be adduced in rcbutta after
the defence has closed.
Long lines of further testimony ana
croSS-eXamlnation are also opened up ~
the order to eXhume BranchS body and
perform an autopsy. ut which there will
* W 'o,-llt I'ot olllS til- Hit'utdl btllctfS
OF the Naval Academy staff, but two whD |
Will be in a measure representative of the |
defence. and possibly others.
1t is known that the defence has sum
moncd many witnesses to testify along
other lines, ard it is hard to fortser the |
end of the court. though it is now be-
fevcd that it will last until the end of
next week. BY law, the court will meet
every day. Sundays and holidays eXclud- |
ed, until the end of the trial is reached.
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