Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1905-11-30
NE WOULD TRADE PLACE,
!. CIV Assnciaird prrss J

,i'-N4N'N-Ai'Oi-iS, hJ., NOV, 49,
iAlidshirman Minor Meriwether to-
day told his story of the fist fight
between him and Midshipman James
4. Branch. 1r... which was followed
by the death of Branch. He closed
III with the words:
tsA''l have never seen him since. We
fpartcd as friends"
Mcriwether was on tho witness
stand an hour and half, testifying
IN detail as to the fight and the
Iincidonts that led to it. His evidence
excited greater interest than has any
previous portion of the trial and
while speaking the accused was ut
| times visibly affected. When he left
ithe witness stand the defense rested
Case Closes Tomorrow.
The prosecution called in rehuttal
lseveral midshipmen, DR.. Thomas,
Ineurologist OF the Johns Hopkins hos,
pi:af. Surgeon Byrnes. of tile Naval
Academy, and Captain George p.
ttolyocoresses, commandant Of mil.
f;nirMen. Is is said that argument
1oi counsel viii ne concluded and the
case given To the court Friday.
Truth Telling Cadet Dismissed.
Midshipman Joseph II. Williams, of
Patterson, y. j.. a member of the
first class OF the Naval Academy, who
testified before The courtmariial yes
terday was This morning dropl Il
from the navy for general inc1icicncy
by order of Secretary Bonapartc.
Midshipman Williams testified ye;
terday that Commander Hugo Oster-
haus had reported Il midshipman for
not rcsenting an insult He was
NOT dropped on account OF this
testimony rejecting on a naval II,
iiccr, but Il is stated. because he has
been unsatisfactory in several OF his
studies during the present term and
that time his conduct is also sad
to have become unsatisfactory. The
| superintendent recommendation that
he he dismissed was made before
the Mcriwcthcr courtmauial proceed.
ings began. Williams was leading
member of the academy track team.
Branch Threatened Him.
Mcriwethcr told OF Dranch's ami
mostly toward him, saying Branch
was particularly disaSrCcable and fire.
quently said he was going TO "bilge"
witness Branch ran" him and pc
] ported him several times.
While on the Hartford at Newport
News some fruit was being brought
on ship. Witness, Branch and many
others were helping themselves 20
fruit. Branch told him to turn in.
Witness said go 10 hell" Branch
made report OF INSTRUMENTATION, dis.
respect and not turning in promptly.
II told these facts to the executive
officer" said Mcriwcther, and he eook
of all bur the last charge. heard
that Mr.. Branch wanted to fight, but
/ paid no attention TO it,
Hot Words Passed.
Branch made an extra inspection
CT his room and had tried to get Il
report against him. Mcriwether con.
tinued: THAT night after consulting
my friends went to Branch's room
with Jaeger. | asked Pritchard if
| could see Branch. and was told that
| could. went in Branch's room and
the light was turned on. | said that
had come TO see him about what
occurred. Branch said, You arc n
damn fool to come to sec me, you
know that my class hates you |
said that is moi so. you are the only
one who does Branch then asked:
What if do?' said, then you
are damn sncaking coward and |
will fight you though | am not in
| lighting condition. added, If you
get ND | will lick YOU He said, you
mean you will try That WILL /
said. and if Won get up will show
lyon. He did not get up and after n