The daily morning journal and courier., 1905-11-30
YOUNG MERIWETHER'S
 STORY OF FIST FIGHT
Continued from First Page.)

Branch, and was told that I could. went in Branch's room and the light was turned on. said that l had come to see him about what had occurred. Branch said You are a damn fool to come to see me, you know that my class hates you said, That is not so; you are the only one who does. Branch then asked, What if I do?' said, Then you are a damn sneaking coward, and I will fight you, though l am not in fighting condition I added, If you get up will lick you He said, You man you will try That's what I will said, and if you get up I will show you He did not get up, and after 8 little further conversation Jae- ger and left the room.
 T called Branch what I did because I was told the cstom was that fight would end feeling and Branch had told mo he was going toiSbilge' me, that is,, make me fail, and I wanted to fight and end the matter. I did not intend to fight when I went to the room, but he again told me that he intended to 'bilge' me-"
 MeriWether's counsel then asked him about his refraining from hitting Branch during the fight, although al- lowed to do so under the rules. The witness told of two instances of this, explaining that he did not believe any blows should be struck in stand off fight unless men are on their feet. He also told how he fouled anl offered to %lo Robt hDt thn CnHnn1S would not allow 1t.
 After the quarrel with Branch, said he, "Midshipman McKittrick came to my room and told me that he had been appointed Branch econd to ar- rsange a fight. I wanted Jaeger as mine. The details were then arranged. During the fight we first fell under the blinds About the twelfth round I rushed Branch and both fell sideways through the door. The next round Branch hit terrific upper cut. It stunned me for some sounds. l re- turned to his jaw. He threw his head back and I returned, but, swung my arm around his neck. We fell in that position, his head striking the floor. We were lifted up. My arm could not be used for the next two rounds. My left arm was crushed in a football game about three years ago. l had a severe operation, but failed physcally. However, passed the next year. The arm is still weaker than the other"
 Meriwether then showed deep scar on the wrist of the arm. He said 8 silver plate had been put in there.
 At the end of the twenty-third round," he continued, "Mr. Branch came across the room and we both apologized and he said, Afterwards we will be friends. He then left and I have never seen him since. We part ed as friends. could not go to break fast the next morning. I had to go to the hospital, An orderly came and said that there was 8 man unconscious in the hall. He was brought to the hospital. waited until th~ operation was over that night and Dr. Ames told me that Branch was doing we'll. About three o'clock the next afternoon I was told by nurse that Branch was dtad. I requested an official investigation by the superintendent. was hurt and grieved beyond expression.
 T think that MT. Branch is indeed fortunate in being in his place, in going to, sleep and not waking up, than to being in mine and having to live this life after this sad and deplorable af fafr.''
 In answer to a question Meriwether said:
 If I had not resented MT. Branch's continued actions I would be in the same position as another classmate with whom no one has anything to do. Un- der these circumstances would have to resign and could never hold up my head again"
 The prosecution then began its cross examination. Meriwether said in an~ swer to question:
 "EIazing consists of physical exer- cises. Running is much worse than hazing. Branch had taken number of opportunities of reporting me and asking others to report me-"
 The defendant was requested to de- scribe running" as Branch had con- ductef it toward him. Pressed for dt- rect answers as to what Branch had