The Vermilion Cyclone

Back in 1910, Vermilion dealt with something rather unusual for the time of year.

A November tornado.

In those days, they called such weather events cyclones, and it was something that scared quite a few people in the community.

It was on Nov. 1, 1910, when what was described as a terrific windstorm swept through the community.

At the height of the storm, it was said you could barely see a block away because of the dust and debris.

The storm led to a small fire in town and which was put out by the fire brigade. Many haystacks were blown over, and some minor damage was reported.

Overall, it was just a small tornado that hit the community.

But that wasn’t all that was going on in Vermilion in early November 1910.

A group of town residents was going north on a moose hunt, with a man named Moose Philips as their guide. It was expected they would be gone for a few weeks.

A dance was also held at the King Edward School, and the affair was described as well attended and quite a success.

A.J.H. Monkman, who was once the secretary to Louis Riel and one of his top men during the 1885 North West Resistance, got married in the area to a woman named only as Miss Dawson.

E.L. Ferris and R.W. Lewis were in the community for a Thanksgiving hunt that was organized. Bob Robertson had recently left the community after his own successful hunting trip.

Lastly, H.A. Mackie, H.H. Parlee, C.A. Grant, and a man described only as court stenographer Collins, were in the area in regards to a case related to the Alberta Hotel.

All in all, it was a very busy week in Vermilion 115 years ago.

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