Daily Kennebec journal., 1905-11-28
Of Fight Between Branch
and keriwether
Offered as Testimony at Court
Martial in Annapolis.
Both Principals Were Bruised and Battered
Before Final Round.


Annapolis, Nd, Nov. 27.-No great
progress was made, today, in the trial
by court martial of Midshipnian Minor
Meriwether on charges that embrace
one of manslaughter in connection
with the death of Midshipman James
r, Branch, Jr., after a fist fight be-
tween him and Midshipman Meriweth-
or.
Perhaps the most important develop
nIents Of the day were the decision OF
counsel to put Midshipman Meriweth-
er on the stand in his own defence and
the appearance of Dr. f. w. GlaZebrook
of Washington, in the role of adviser
20 Meriwether's counsel. Most of the
testimony offered, today, was by mid
.hiprien and related to details OF the
fight and events that led thereto.
Counsel for the defence offered Mid
shirman w. w. Bradley of the second
ci.ss, to testify to circumstances to
show that Branch had misused his Off
ciaI position when on duty to make un-
lust reports against Meriwether. Mid
shipman Bradley said that he had been
detailed for duty with Branch shortly
be fore the fight. Branch had told him
that they must try to get a report
AGAINST that man Meriwether."
When on duty Branch had tried to
Induce the witness to make report
;gainst Meriwether which he bradley
did not think was justified and which
he refused to make. Branch had also
toId him about finding the civilian
clothes in the suit case, but had said
IA, had found that they did not belong
10 Meriwether.
MidshipmaD Leigh Noyes testified
that he had heard Of the proposed re-
Tort from a midshipman and had tod
Eranch that he mad no right to make
il Il the inspection which he made was
NOS in the line of duty.
Moves. who was the timekeeper in
the tight. testified that Branch and
Nforiwcthcr had fallen together in
,linches three times. Branch had fallen
in tliree instances and two of the falls
had been hard. He had always risen
promptly and did not appear to be
stunned.
Midsi,pman A. w. Fitch, who ref
.rcu.: tie fight. was recalled and testl-
MA IL 10 the falls His testimony on
fn2l ,,oisit was substantially the same
rs tunt Of Noyes He also declared
pIrlshment kfter the 18th round, when
MprriWr;n,r offered to stop.
During tie. nfternoor session. Midshlp-
mar, a w Fitch and Leigh Moves. re-
specfiveiv referee and timekeeper of the
r,rI,t we're. r. called and again went over
their Testimony lis to certain incident IN
rho 6rrt Thev said that twice it was
titJu-,.t Branch had hit his head against
t;tf fioor. Lieut.. Commander Decker tes-
t,fcd that the floors in Bancroft hail.
yyn.re The fi~ht was held. have n coEcrete
hIsp, thca u layer of rough boards and
the.. thy s:nocth surface boards.
Niavh.rr.ar Ralph Yeager, who was
1i,rivrtl,ers second said the latter had
s,lrncd IN the 18th round, spraining his
anltle and that he was disabled therep3'
hut said he could continue the hght'
though he could do little to defend him
self
M,dshipman Hugo w. Caller. fourth
cllsernan, testified that he had loaned the
civilian clothes. that were found pv
t.ranch, to Meriwether during the summer
ard that the day they were found in the
closet Branch had told him he had better
~ get them. He had then gone to the
c.osct and secured the clothing.
today, DR.. L. w. Glazebrook of Wash
irgton, who was present at the autopsy
held on the body of Branch, yesterday,
bccame adviser to counsel for the defence
and consulted with them during the pro-
Ceedings.
The defence will, tomorrow. unless the
medical testimony relating to the autopsy
consumes more time than is now expect
"a.
Witnesses for the defence will include
MEDICAL Inspector Howard Eanes ard
Lieut.. Commander T. p. Magruder. aide
a. the Superintendent, the latter to tes-
u,y to a matter OF academy record. 1t
A,5 been decided that Midshipman Meri-
ycther will be put On the stand in his
own defence.
The court will meet on Thursday
Thanksgiving day. unless an uneXpect-
ed order to the contrary is received from
ia secretary of the navy. Witnesses may
p, called in rebuttal but the probability
is hat the court will finish its work by
Friday.