Herman Trelle
by Jacqui Rebar
“The shotgun blast was the final punctuation in the story of a strong-willed, egotistical farming genius who, in life, whipped controversy and, even today, fans the embers of argument to flame among the dwindling band of Peace River residents who knew him.”
(The Peace River Story)
Herman Trelle (pronounced Tray’-ay) began his life of farming with his parents in the area of Lake Saskatoon in 1910 after immigrating from Idaho over the old Athabasca Trail.
He enrolled at the University of Alberta in 1912 as an engineering student and won the first oratorical contest held at the facility. His thesis was on the Peace River Country’s geological formation pertaining to water supplies. It was later proven to be correct by a Federal Government survey taken after his presentation.
After he graduated, he returned home and helped his father farming and in 1919 he married Beatrice Irene Burdick. She played an important role in Herman’s success as a mentor, supporter and definitely his best partner in the successful business of seed hybrids.
In 1923, he first displayed his grain at the Chicago International Hay and Grain Show, and received third place but in 1926 he captured his first wheat crown. After 1932, he was barred from showing wheat at the Hay & Grain Show for four years. In total, he won 135 International awards for Peace River grown grains, including field peas.
He hand picked his seed, with the help of Beatrice, and would exude patience beyond endurance but unfortunately, not so with people.
Herman was a genius when it came to displaying seed grain but he was known to be hot-headed and flamboyant. He became quite a salesman and strangers were charged $20.00 for a bushel for his seed wheat while his neighbours bought it for $5.00. An ex-Wembley farmer tells a story of his dad going into debt to grow Herman’s wheat only to have the bottom drop out of wheat prices in 1929. The farmer’s father died and it wasn’t until during the Second World War, that he was able to pay off the debt.
Herman never seemed to worry about being in debt himself. He was at the height of his success during the early years of the Depression and came home from Edmonton with a new tractor, household furnishings and even a grand piano. He explained that the gifts were from companies who in exchange had permission to use testimonials from Herman about their product. He and his wife were able to go a cruise to the Mediterranean, supposedly sponsored by the Canadian Railway Development Company. Their fame was a beckoning call for others to settle in the Wembley area.
His neighbours learned the truth when Herman left as the railway put a lien on his land and finance companies seized some of his prize possessions for non-payment. His gifts were bought by him on the now popular instalment plan. He was not know to be the most humble of farmers and after stepping off the train with another batch of rewards he commented on the fact that there was no band to meet him. He used to boast about speaking ten different languages and Clifford Stacy, the dean of the University of Alberta was reported to reply, “You know, Herman, you should learn to keep quiet in ten languages”. Some claim that when he left, he was almost broke.
Herman served in the army during World War 11 and with the Royal Canadian Engineers and in 1945 he sold his Peace River Country holdings and moved to California to begin a new life.
There are two versions of what happened on September 1, 1945. He supposedly bought a ranch and was having trouble with a ranch hand. Herman fired him and he returned a few days later with a shotgun, they argued and Herman was fatally shot. The other is that Herman and another ranch hand were arguing over who was foreman at the ranch where they both worked. Trelle was shot, and the following day he succumbed to his wound.
Sometimes the absolute truth about an individual becomes distorted over the years as people gossip, share ideas and form opinions without knowing the facts. After awhile, reality becomes fantasy and it is remembered so. I think that it is important, even now, to read these excepts with a smile and if nothing else, acknowledge his existence. The facts established that indeed there was a Herman Trelle and he had a definite impact on the creation of Wembley. Almost thirty years later, the town proudly displays signs with wheat bundles and we can imagine Herman and Beatrice labouring over each individual seed to ensure the prosperity of farmers for years to come.