as an officer said to me, respecting another who had died.

On entering the hall the evening after Sylver's cruel death, I found the
prisoners greatly excited. One exclaimed, as loud as he thought prudent,
"Murder! murder! They have murdered one of our number." Another
remarked, "Well, we see what the fate of any of us may be, if taken
sick." Marked anxiety was depicted upon all their countenances; and who
would wonder?

27. _The Sylver case excitement and hearing before the Governor and
Council._ The brothers were greatly aroused at what they could see and
gather about this death, felt that deep iniquity had been practiced in
connection with it, and resolved on a criminal prosecution of the
warden. But, finding, from legal counsel, that they probably could not
make a case in that line hold, they were thrown into doubt respecting
what to attempt.

Meanwhile the story of the affair spread in the community, carrying with
it exaggerated reports, that "Sylver was really murdered; was gagged and
left to die alone," and thus on. When passing the streets in the city, I
would be inquired of, if such were really the facts, to which I would
respond in the negative, that he died in the hospital with attendants
about him, but could explain no farther. Execrations at the prison
management were often heard.

Whether true or not, I never ascertained, but report had it, that the
doctor felt called upon to demand an investigation of the affair before
the governor and council, and that the warden favored looking into the
other departments, and so a hearing was appointed to be had at the
council chamber one Friday evening, in the latter part of February, or
in early March. I was summoned to be present, but with no intimation for
what purpose. The Sylvers, when cherishing the idea of a criminal
prosecution, had looked about a little for evidence, and had secured
the statements of an overseer at the prison, when the death occurred,
written out in the form of an affidavit and sworn to before a justice of
the peace, and also those of a released prisoner. These were in the
hands of the lawyer they had employed, or purposed to employ, to manage
for them. This lawyer appeared, but it was understood that the brothers
had become disheartened and ceased to interest themselves in looking up
evidence, preparing for a thorough investigation of the death in
question; why, we know not. None were put on oath, hence the hearing
failed of bringin