Evening star., 1905-11-07
MIDSHIPMAN rs DEAD
AS RESULT OF FIST FIGHT WITH
CLASSMATE.
Secrecy Observed at Academy and
Searching Inquiry Will Be Made
by Authorities.
Special Dispatch to The Star.

Special Dispatch to The Star.
ANNAPOLIS, Nd, November 7-At five
minutes past 10 o'clock this morning Mid
shipman James r. Branch of the second
class at the Naval Academy died as the re-
suit of an alleged fight between himself and
Midshipman Minor Meriwether jr., of the
next lower class. Col and Mrs. J. R.
Branch of New York the unfortunate
young mans parents, were both at the
Naval Academy Hospital at the time of his
death. The affair coming so suddenly has
cast a gloom not only over the academy, but
throughout Annapolis and among the large
number of parents of other midshipmen,
who are here for the ceremonies attendant
upon the entertainment of Prince Louis of
Battenberg.
Young Meriwether is also in the hospital
the result of the affray which resulted
fatally for his antagonist Meriwether is
suffering from a sprained shoulder and a
number of bruises, and is reported as in a
bad condition from the shock of the news
of Branch's death.
Secrecy is Observed.
The facts of the affairs inception and
cause being kept closely guarded at the
academy, and today none of the higher Off
cials could be reached on account of the
entertainment of Prince Louis and the
British ambassador. 1t is said, however,
that the fight, which took place after sup
per formation on Sunday night, was the
result of a somewhat regular procedure at
the institution.
Branch, it is said was in charge of one
of the floors of Bancroft Hail. and in max
ing his inspection is claimed to have found
Unauthorized ana forbidden articles in
Meriwether's room He reported Meri-
wether in the line of his duty, according to
the story, and this, it is said, resulted in
the lower class man calling his superior out
for satisfaction. This code, according to
reports, is the only way in which lower
class man can retaliate for being reported
to the authorities by upper class officer.
The fight lasted twenty-three rounds, and
il is now said that Branch's injury came as
the result of a fall to the ground in which
he struck his head. The midshipmen
treated the matter only knockout and
Branch was taken care of in his room dur
ing the night. He became much worse ana M
his condition was discovered by the authori-
ties on Monday morning He was removed
to the hospital, where he became uncon-
scious and paralysis set in.
Operation Performed.
Drs. J. NJ T. Finney and N. NJ. Thomas
of Johns Hopkins Hospital were summoned,
and DR.. Kerr, chief of staff of the Wash
ington Emergency Hospital, was sent over
to this city upon the request of President
Roosevelt. These were assisted by the
medical staff at the academy, consisting of
Drs j. c. Byrnes, V. T. Webb Z. T. stone
and r. e Hoyt..
The operation was thought to have been
successful and the patients condition pro-
nounced improved. This was about mid
night but during the early morning the
youth grew much worse and gradually sank
until death came. During the operation the
youths father Col ]. r. Branch of the
Hanover National Bank of New York and
secretary of the American Bankers Asso-
citation, was in the hospital, where he re-
rnained all night after sending a reaSSur-
ing message to the anxious mother, who
was with friends in Baltimore Mrs. Branch
reached Annapolis this morning shortly be-
fore her sons death, and went at once to
the hospital, where she remained until the
end
The plans have not been definitely set
tied, but at present it is expected that the
funeral will take place tomorrow afternoon
at the academy chapel at 3 o'clock. 1t
is said that the interment will be made in
the academy cemetery