Waterbury evening Democrat., 1905-11-23
MODES FATAL BOUT
Court Martial on Naval Cadet
 at Annapolis.
MERIWETHER PLEADED NOT GUILTY
Story Told of Bad Blood Between Prisoner and Midshipman Branch,
 Who Died From Injuries Re- s ceived In Fist Fight.

ANNAPOLIS, Md, Nov. 23.-The court martial trial in the case of Mid shipman Minor Meriwether, Jr., on three charges connected with the death of Midshipman James R. Branch, with whom he engaged in a fist fight, has opened here.
 Tho oath was administered by the president of the court, Admiral Ram say, to Captain Mark as judge advo- cate, and he administered the oath to the members of the court without fur ther incident. John W. Hulse of Wash ington was sworn as stenographer. The court and officers being sworn, the charges and specifications were read to Midshipman Meriwether, who plead ed not guilty to the whole and to each charge and specification separately.
 The sad incident of the death of young Branch under such circum- stances has been widely noticed and has called attention to the existence at the Naval academy of an unwritten code governing the student body, but quite outside the authoritative regula- tions and generally in violation of them. Under the '.code" every detail of these fights is fixed, the midshipmen on duty abstaining from reporting them and excusing from formation those connect ed with them. These facts were very clearly brought out by the judge ad- vocate Meriwether had been gener- ally disliked. one witness said, because he was too ''ratty"-that is, it was ex- plained, that he did not abide by the rules laid down for the government of the lower classmen. Some of these were l that he should-never enter 'tlovers' lane, r an academy walk, that he should turn all corners at right angles, should not look at an upper classman and should answer most respectfully when addressed by one of them; that he must never touch the table nor ask for any thing during a meal and under no cir cumstances ''fuss"-that is, to be In the society of young women. These rules and many others are contained In that part of the code" relating to the gov ernment of under classmen. Branch had been one of the mldshipmen who, according to the testimony, determined to make life mot worth living" for Meriwether because he would not abide by these rules, and from that the enmity arose.
 The story of the bad blood between the two cadets and of Meriwether's vis- it to Branch's room, which led to the fatal fight, was told by midshipmen.
 Midshipman Pritchard, Branch's roommate, testified that Meriwether came to their room when Branch was In bed and called the latter ''d-n liar" a ''d-nA sneak" and other op- probrious epithets.
 Midshipman Yeager, who aecompa- nled Meriwether On that occasion, tes- tlfied that Branch called Meriwether a 'd-n fool" Another witness said that Meriwether had said he hated Branch and intended to force him to fight.
 Branch's roommate testified that Branch had said he did not report Meri- wether for the alleged breach of rules. ..
 Midshipman Harold V. McKlttrick, who acted as a second for Branch dur. ing the fight, told of the arrangements for 1t and the insistepce of both par ties that the fight should be to a finish.
 The fight itself. he testified. lasted over twenty-two rounds of two min utes each. with one minute intermis- sion. Early in the fight one of Branch's eyes was closed, but he was holding his own.
 At the end of the twentieth round Meriwether fouled by hitting in a iellnch and offered to forfeit the fight. This Branch and his seconds would not allow. insisting on a finish.
 This is regarded as q strong point fol Meriwether. showing that he wished the fight to stop.
 MIdshipman A ". Fitch. who ref creed the fight which was followed b Branch's death. stated that he had of ncisted in nineteen such contests. and Midshipman McKittriek testified tha' be had taken part in nine.