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An Insane Attorney

E.B. Sleeth, an attorney of this city, was committed to Napa on Monday afternoon. He has been a resident of Santa Cruz for nearly a year, but has not practiced much, owing to ill health consequent upon a paralytic stroke. For the past few months he has been acting strangely, but was not violent until within the past week. For fear of doing violence to himself or his family, it was thought best to commit him to the Asylum. While in the Sheriff's office he became very violent, biting and scratching his attendants, until it became necessary to place straps on him. With the supernatural strength of a madman he burst the straps asunder, and it required six strong men to hold him down.

He is a man of good education and resided in Denver for eighteen years, and was considered a prominent lawyer in criminal as well as civil cases.

After his paralytic stroke, over a year ago, he ceased from active practice, as he was unable to attend to it. Constantly brooding over this supposed to be cause of his insanity.

He was taken to Napa this morning.

Santa Cruz Sentinel (May 24, 1887)

DIED: SLEETH, at Agnews Nov 18, E.B. Sleeth, a native of Ind. aged 51 years.

Death Came to His Relief

E. B. Sleeth died at the Agnews Asylum on Monday. His death was not unexpected, as he has for some time been in failing health. The deceased was a native of Indiana and aged fifty-one years. For sixteen years he was a prominent lawyer of Denver, Colorado, and some years ago came from that city to Santa Cruz to locate. About two years and a half ago he became insane through over-work. He was committed to Napa but his case being incurable he was transferred to Agnews. A remarkable thing in connection with the deceased is that three other attorneys of Denver, all of whom were his intimate friends, also became insane. During the war he served his country and retired at the close with the rank of Sergeant. He was a member of Meade Post, G.A.R. of Denver, and Reynolds Post, G.A.R. of Santa Cruz, and also belonged to the I.O.O.F. The deceased leaves a widow. The remains will be interred in this city.

Date of Birth: 1838

Date of Death: 1889-11-18

County: Santa Cruz

Cemetery/City of Burial: Santa Cruz Memorial Park

Plot: H51

Last City: (CA Agnews)

Native of: IN

Enlisted: 1861/06/13

Discharged: 1864/06/14

Military Unit: IL_ 20 Inf_ Co I

Rank: Sgt

Military Notes: R-Middleport

GAR#: R98

Available records used to obtain information:
Cemetery records
Santa Cruz County death records
Military records
Santa Cruz and Monterey newspapers
Voter Records

CW Reference: SEN 1889/11/19