Vermilion In November 1924

Each month, I like to take a look at what was going on in the community exactly 100 years ago. As we are now in November, we are traveling back to November 1924.

So, what was happening in Vermilion in November 1924?

On Nov. 7, the Teachers Education Association held a convention at the Presbyterian Church in the community. Several people were in attendance, and afterward, a dance and banquet was held at the CNR Community Hall.

On Nov. 15, Col. Fred Jamieson gave an address in Vermilion on patriotism. A large number of people were in attendance for the speech. That same day, there was a discussion in Vermilion about the erection of a permanent open-air skating rink in the community.

On Nov. 18, Reverend J. Graham arrived in the community. He had transferred from Shellbrook, Saskatchewan as the Anglican clergyman.

On Nov. 19, a reception was held for the British boys who were in town to attend the Vermilion School of Agriculture. George Hoadley, the Minister of Agriculture, hosted the reception for the boys at the Veterans Hall. The hall was crowded to the point of overflowing and it seemed like everyone in town had come out to see the boys and welcome them to the community.

On Nov. 22, A.M. Blake, a respected citizen of the community, was found dead at the pumping station. He had been doing repairs at the station when a pump engine stopped working. Deadly carbon monoxide began to fill the room he was in, leading to his death.

On Nov. 25, tragedy struck Vermilion when R.E. Bell, a student at the Vermilion School of Agriculture, accidentally shot himself in the head. Bell was one of the British boys who were in the area to attend the school. He was examining a revolver that he thought was empty. In demonstrating the gun to another student, he pointed it at himself and pulled the trigger. He was killed instantly.

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