The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-11-30
MER|WETHER IS HIS OWN WITNESS Says He and Branch Parted
 as Friends DISCUSSES THE S=!%eT FIGHT
 ss Branch Had Don 9S y Things to Make Life M SS9 : for msr'- wether- os 'e Closes
 oS SC.
DISCUSSES TIE E =.sT FIGHT

was followed by the death Of Branch lie closed 1t with the words:
 .I have never seen him since We parted as friends"
 He was testifying in his own behalf be- fore the courtmartial which is trying him on charges that embrace one or man slaughter in connection with the death of Branch
 Meriwether was on the witness stand an hour and half testifying in detail as to the fight, and the incidents that led to it. His evidence excited greater in terest than has any previous portion or the trial, and while speaking, the accused was at times visibly affected. When he left the witness stand. the defense rested.
 The prosecution called in rebuttal sev- , eral midshipmen. Dr. Thomas, neurologist of the Johns Hopkins hospital Surgeon Byrnes of the naval academy, and Capt. George P. Colvocoresses, commandant Of midshipmen It is understood that the ar gument of counsel will be concluded and the case given to the court on Friday.
 Not Obliged to Commit Himeslf. Midshipman Meriwether was the first witness offered by the defense. Meri- wether was warned by the court that he l was not obliged to commit himself in any way.
 "The first time saw Mir Branch was 1 September l. 1904 l was on the Santee and MT. Branch was put there for mis- conduct. He made himself generally un- pleasant to me during the four days he was there. On October We returned and lived on the same floor just d few doors apart. Branch began to run me It was personal and particularly disagreeable. No midshipman objects to hazing but run ning gives power to the runner to insult and is worse than hazing or physical persecution. Branch frequently told me l that he intended to bilge me. Early in the year I had fight with Midshipman Humphreys and I was knocked out. Branch ran me further and coming at me said that he was going to report me and did tell the midshipman in charge. Dur l ing June week, I went out in town. 1 Branch saw me and Midshipman Cars | tein who was on duty came to my room and told be that he would be reported. Branch told me that he had told Carstein. | The report was not published and Cars | tein asked me about it. Branch said he had asked the report to be put on again"
 The Fruit Incident. While on the Hartford at Newport News some fruit was being brought on l ship. Witness, Branch and many others were helping themselves to the fruit. | Branch told him to turn in. Witness said: "Go to he'll" Branch made report of, ''insubordination, disrespect and not turn 1 ing in promptly
 l ''I told these facts to the executive off l cer," said Meriwether, 'and he took off all but the last charge. I heard that MT. l Branch wanted to fight but I paid no | attention to it.
 About six weeks afterward we were transferred to the Arkansas. I had heard that Branch requested first classmen to report me for sneaklng.
 | When we returned to Annapolis Branch l and I were put in different classes. When Branch was put on duty I knew I must be mighty careful. I saw Branch go to 1 my room for extra inspection He | came to my room and asked me about my civilian clothes and and said I was on pap Koerner. to whom the clothes belonged, told me that he had told Moves about It. I saw Moves talking to Branch. | I told him not to interfere. I went to Mir Bradley and asked if there had been an extra inspection ordered. He then told me that he would not let the report get in but that Branch had asked to get a report against me. if he (Brad- | ley), could.
 Tells of the Quarrel.
 "I'hat night after consulting my friends, | I went to Branchs room with Jaeger. I asked Pritchard If 1 could see Branch l and was told that I could. I went in Branch's room and the light was turned on I said that I had come to see him about what occurred. Branch said: You are damn fool to come to see me. you know that my class hates you.
 T said: That is not so, you are the only on4 who does
 Branch then asked: What if I do?'
 T said then: You are a damn sneaking coward. and I will fight you though am not in fighting condition l added: If you will get up I will lick you He said: You mean you will try
 That's what I will, I said, and if you get up I will show you
 He did not get up and after little further conversation Jaeger and l left the room.
 '1 called Branch what I did because I was told the custom was that a fight would end feeling and Branch had told me he was going to bilge me; that is, make me fail, and I wanted to fight and end the matter. did not intend to fight when I went to the room, but he again told me that he intended to bige me" Meriwether's counsel then asked him about his refraining from hitting Branch during the fight. although allowed to do so under the rules. The "ilness toiu or two instances of this, explaining that he believed no blows should be struck in d stand-off fight unless men are on their feet. He also told how he fought and offered to give up the fight but the sec onds would not allow it.
 After the quarrel with Branch said he, 'Midshipman McKittr;cK came to my room and told me that he had been ap- pointed Branch's second to arrange a fight. I wanted Jaeger as mine. The de- tails were then arranged. During the fight we first fell under the blinds. About the twelfth round I rushed Branch and both fell through the door.
 Branch's Head Struck Floor.
 "The next round Branch hit me ter rife uppercut. It stunned me for some rounds. returned to his jaw. He threw  ! (coDtInved on Fourth Paae)