Vermilion In September 1926

Things began on Sept. 1 when J.W.G. Morrison was chosen to be the representative for the Conservatives in the upcoming federal election. Unfortunately, when the election happened later in the year, Morrison finished with only 26 per cent of the vote and lost to the United Farmers of Alberta candidate Henry Spencer.

A day later on Sept. 2 when Lord Clarendon and his party arrived in Vermilion to look over the new Clan Donald settlement and interview the homesteaders for the British Overseas Settlement Board. Despite heavy rains making the roads poor, the party was able to make it to their destination.

On Sept. 9, 1,000 people came out to see the school fair in Vermilion. There were 24 school districts that staged 4,500 exhibits. It was considered to be one of the best school fairs in recent years. The agricultural school was also enjoying record enrolment with 101 students already registered and another 30 arriving from Britain.

On Sept. 14, it was reported that 100 Scottish, Irish and English families, numbering 600 people, were settling in nicely to the Donald Colony north of Vermilion. Each family had 160 acres, although some had 320 acres. Since their arrival in the area, the families had built a house barn, well and other buildings on each project. New farmers also worked with experienced farmers to learn everything they needed to be successful.

On Sept. 24, farmers were back at work bringing in crops following 10 days of snow and bad weather that delayed threshing. Nearly all the oats and most of the barley remained uncut. Many gardens still had to be brought in around town as well. It was believed the bad weather earlier in the month severely damaged the oat crop.

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