Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-11-29
NERINETHER'S OWN STORY.
HE TELLS HOW AND WHY THE
FIGHT HAPPENED.
''Branch More Fortunate Than !,
When He Died he Missed
The Worry"
WOULD RATHER BE DEAD
THAN LIVING.

was placed ON the stand 10 testify
The young midshipman was in the
witness chair slightly over an hour
and a half, and during that time.
while he brought out but little eyi-
dence which had not already been
gone over by the other midshipmen
summoned, he succeeded in makiu
an excellent impression, not only with
the large number of persons present,
but also with the court, and all who
heard him.
His testimony was given in q clear.
straightforward manner and in a tone
easily heard throughout the court
room, except at that time when be
referred TO the close of the fight. He
had told of the causes leading up to
the pre- arrangement of the encounter.
showing all the time q disposition to
avoid any dispsragement of the dead
midshipman. He had also given a
detailed account of tue fight. and men.
toned the incident where he and
Branch shook hands and agreed to be
friends He said "that was the last
time saw him !" The YOUTHS voice
died away almost to n whisper and he
was visibly affected, although he
struggled manfully to conquer his
emotion. During the whole of his tes-
present hung on his every word with
intense interest. There were a large
number of Annapolis and Academy
society ladies present. and there was
scarcely a dry eye among these, ms
Meriwether told his tale, aud said that
he would rather now be in Branch's
place.
At this portion of his testimony
Meriwether spoke in a low tone, keep
ing his eyes straight to the front. He
seemed rather TO welcome the close
cross examination and pointed ques-
tioDs of the prosecution as their ques-
tioning was of the causes leading to
the fight and took his mind OF tue
sadder side of the matter During tho
other part of the testimony when he
told the story in his own way and
without interruption, the boys eyes
fearlessly caught these of Admiral
Ramsey. president, and tho other
members of the court. There was
nothing of defiance nor appeal in his
glance, but rather q desire to see"tnat
each and sll of them understood him
clearly. While telling this he spoke
slowly and deliberately, but in loud
tone, seeming at the same time to
weigh carefully his words.
In telling of bis encounter with
Branch during the fruit incident
aboard the Hartford, and when he had
visited the now dead midshipman'
room the night prior 10 the fight,
Meriwether did not spare himself in
the least. He told frankly of having
applied the word coward" and other
epithets TO Branch, not boastfully, but
in perfect ccrroboTation of the other
lmdshipma testimony. Taken as "A
whole the testimony of the accused
midshipmen did not bring out any adj
ditioual facts of importance TO his
case, but the impression made by him
upon all was notioeably apparent.
The announcement that he would
bep laced on the stand had resulted in
"A larger attendance than at any other
days sessions of the court. Many la
dies were present, most of these COM
ing early, having been given seats III
the chairs ranged about the wall of
the main court room. The adjoining
apartment, formerly used for witness.
es yet to be summoned, was also well
filled, every vantage point from which
glimpse Of the court Toom could be
obtained through the large folding
doors beipg occupied. Admiral W.
Fl. Brownson, former superintendent
of the Academy. had been summoned
as witness ard was present during
the morning, although he was lot
placed on the stand. He manifested
much interest IN the proceedings.
That Admiral Brownson sat through
the proceedings is an indication that
he will not be called on to testify
1t is thought the evidence will be de-
clared finished at this afternoons s ses-
sion and that argument will begin at
the next gathering oflthe court
The day was a good one for Meri-
neither He broke only when his emo.
tion overcame him, and you could
feel the struggle he made to keep from
tears He declared that he would
rather have been killed than have to
live with this happening hanging ov er
him for life, and that Branch was by
far the more fortunate Of the two.
This was tho appeal that affected
those who heard the boy who has been
under such a strain for almost a full
month, and not only was the audience
so affected, but the court as well.
After Meriwether went off the stand
and after he had been put through the
most severe course of cross question
ing given any witness, even Mr.. Rose
telling him to answer questions and
nOE nAG CAdIl40bAg LII 0dlt-
W pod corrected his testimony. The
errors he called attention to were
chiefly in spelling of medical terms.
and were not important Midshipmen
Scott and Howell, who fare known to
be great friends of Branch and the
men with whom he associated mostly,
were called to tell Of the Hartford in
cident, in which the fruit was brought
aboard and of which so much has been
told. They related it in a light high
ly favorable to Branch and said the
young man who died as the result of
the fight was of high moral charac-
ter and very popular with his class
mates and others at the Academy.
Meriwether. they said, was very IN
popular There was murmer Of oh
lection to this lire Of questioning, but
NJ action was taken.
When these two had left the court
It was cleared. When the doors were
opened the court Immediately adlonrn-
ed until O'Clock. 1t is thought the
subject of sitting on Thanksgiving was
brought up. but no announcement
/ waS made. There Is thoughe to fe a