"Ted Potts, 18, also known as Ted Ellsworth, was believed to have been almost instantly killed when the ’63 Dodge Dart he was driving left the Bickleton-Roosevelt grade 1.4 miles north of Roosevelt at approximately 5:15 p.m. Tuesday. According to reports Potts was thrown from the car just before it came to rest some 200 feet down Wood Gulch.

Investigating officers, in their report on file at the sheriff’s office, said that Potts was traveling south and was cutting the inside of a blind left hand curve when he met a vehicle driven by Mrs. Marybeth Clark of Bickleton. Potts just barely missed the Clark car as he pulled his vehicle sharply to the right. He was unable to keep his car in the roadway and took out the tenth steel guard rail along the road.

The fataility was investigated by Trooper R. E. Lee, Chief Sheriff’s Deputy Robert Cahill and acting coroner Judge O’Neil.

It is reported that Mrs. Clark called to Potts but received no answer and that she thought he moved slightly and then slumped to the ground.

Mike Montanye, driver of the wrecker that brought the car to Goldendale, was reported as having said that he believed Potts could have saved his life had he fastened the safety belt, as damage to the driver-side of the car was not to such a degree as to result in fatality."

Published in The Goldendale Sentinel - September 17, 1964, pg 7

Ted E Ellsworth

"Ted E. Ellsworth was born in Hood River, Ore., on August 16, 1946 to Mr. and Mrs. Bud E. Ellsworth and passed away near Roosevelt, Wash., Tuesday evening, September 8, 1964 at the age of 18 years and 22 days.

Ted lived most of his life with his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Zearl Potts, formerly of Wishram but now of Roosevelt. He graduated from the Wishram High school last June. He was one of their leading athletes. He was a good clean youth and respected by all. He is survived by his parents and five brothers and three sisters, his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Ellsworth of Pocatello, Ida., and Mr.and Mrs. Zearl Potts of Roosevelt; several uncles and aunts and many cousins, plus many friends.

Ted attended the Nazarene church in Washougal before coming to Wishram.

Services were held in the Wishram Community church Saturday, September 12, 1964 with burial in Goldendale."