Ellis Death, 1965 - Tazewell Co. VA

(Submitter note: This article was taken from the Richlands News Press August 15, 1965 in the 
possession of Willy Shelton.)

Richlands Man Suicide Victim

  A 47-year-old Richlands, Va., man was found dead in his automobile near Grundy, Va., about 
noon Sunday after having been dead about four or five hours. Authorities ruled his death a 
suicide.
  Authorities said the victim, Clair Ellis, had driven his 1964 model auto onto a dirt road 
about 10 miles from Grundy, hooked a piece of tubing from the exhaust pipe to the rear window 
and locked the doors to the vehicle.
  He was found by several children leaving a nearby church in the sparsely populated area. Dr. 
B. D. Berry, medical examiner, ruled his death a suicide due to carbon monoxide poisoning.
  He was found in a sitting position. The piece of tubing remained tucked into the left rear 
window opening, with rags stuffed around it. The ignition of the engine remained switched on 
but the engine had died.
  Deputies Storie Rife and Riddle McClannahan and Troopers H. D. Church and M. F. Galligher 
conducted the investigation.
  Ellis was a native of Buchanan County, a son of James H. and Ida Ratliff Ellis, now of 
Richlands. He had no other survivors.
  He was a graduate of Richlands High School and a Veteran of World War II, having served with 
the U.S. Army in Europe. He was employed as a supply clerk for Jewell Ridge, Va., Coal 
Corporation. He was a member of Ivy Springs Baptist Church.
  Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 2 p.m. at the Farmer Funeral Home Chapel in 
Richlands, with Rev. H. G. Musick Jr. officiating. Burial will follow in Greenhills Memory 
Gardens at Claypool Hill, Va.
  Friends may call at the funeral home.


Submitted by Willy Shelton <WShe703048@aol.com>

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