The Salt Lake Tribune December 31, 1947
Power Shovel Kills Worker

OGDEN, Dec, 30 — Thrown under the caterpillar truck of the power-shovel he was operating in a gravel pit, Charles Elmer Blanch, 36, R F D No. 1, West Weber, was instantly crushed to death-about 2 : 20 p.m. Tuesday. There were no witnesses to the fatal accident, but police officers and the doctor called to the scene theorized the man might either have fainted or had a heart attack an fallen under his own machine, or might have been thrown from the moving shovel and knocked unconscious by striking some part as he fell. He was employed by the D.H. Hadley gravel operations north of 12th st. on Grammercy Ave., where the accident occurred, and had worked for Mr. Hadley for the
past 13 years, it was reported. The tractor-shovel, officers said, had begun to back up at the time of the accident. After running over the victim's head it continued for approximately 50 feet, stopping, as it struck a rising gravel bank.
Mr. Hadley reported his shovel truck operators filled their trucks with the power shovel, then drove approximately 150 yards west to the gravel plant, where they unloaded their truck's. When Mr. Blanch failed to return to the plant on schedule, another operator, Norvel Charlton, walked over to the gravel pit, where he found Mr. Blanch lying face down, with his truck still unloaded and the shovel off to the southwest, stopped.

Alfred Gladwell, justice of the peace of Burch Creek precinct, called as coroner, pronounced the death accidental and said there would be no Further investigation. A similar statement was made by C. H. Peterson , inspector for the industrial commission, who of also investigated. Investigating police were A. L, Covleo, R. J, Hill, L. A, Jacobsen and A. ,W. Foulger,
The body was taken to Lindquist & Sons mortuary.

Ogden Standard Examiner January 2, 1948

BLANCH - Funeral services for Charles Elmer Blanch, husband of Lola Ann Herrick, will be conducted Saturday at one p .m. in the West Weber l.D.S. Ward chapel by Bishop C. Milton Farr. There will be no viewing of the remains. Friends may call at the family residence Saturday after ten a.m. Saturday funeral hour. Interment in the West Weber cemetery under direction of Lindquist and Sons mortuary.