Vermilion In November 1925

A new month means we are traveling back to time to see what was going on in the community exactly 100 years ago.

These events may seem like they are not of major historical significance, but they helped form the community as it is today.

Many residents of Vermilion were angry on Nov. 1 when they woke up to what had happened on Halloween in the community. Several people had property smashed in their yards. Various signs were ripped down around the community and a rear door at the school was smashed in and several books in the library were thrown around. Cars, wagons and outbuildings were also damaged. It was estimated the damages amounted to about $300, which would be $6,000 today.

On Nov. 6, it was announced that a much-improved passenger service would be running on the Edmonton and Vermilion line of the Canadian National Railway in ten days time. The new oil-electric cars were going to be put into service to run the tri-weekly mixed train service. The new cars could hold 54 passengers.

That same day, the Vermilion School of Agriculture officially opened for the year. The school was full of students, as were the other two agricultural schools in Olds and Claresholm.

On Nov. 17, Vermilion joined a new junior hockey league that was formed. Vermilion was joined by Mannville and Vegreville. The league was known as The Little Three.

W.J. McNab was chosen to be the Conservative nominee for Vermilion in the upcoming federal election. At the nomination committee meeting, Conservative leader A.A. MacGillivray was in attendance and addressed the crowd on Nov. 20.

On Nov. 22, residents of Vermilion attended a service at the Columbia Theatre to honour those who gave their lives in the First World War. The event was organized by the Great War Veterans Association. Reverend Dr. D.G. McQueen spoke to the crowd.

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