Octavius Cecil (O. C.) Yates
(We spoke to Kay Shepherd, daughter of the late
O. C. Yates).
Involvement in Oil Industry
Octavius Cecil Yates, Kay's father, was instrumental in
organizing the Lloydminster Gas Company. Kay remembers that her father was interested in
geology and was convinced that they should be drilling in this area. Key recalls that they
looked at the lay of the land and geological surveys to decide where to drill.
The Yates family moved to Lloydminster in 1927. O. C. Yates was
the station agent with the CPR. Kay's seventh birthday meal was in the unfinished station.
Recollections
Kay remembers when the Lloydminster Gas Company's Lloydminster
No. 1 came in. It was on Good Friday, March 30,1934. She remembers running across the
exhibition grounds with a hotcross bun in her hand. When asked about the mood of the
public at the time, Kay believes that a lot of people were surprised.
Kay has recollections of Oxville which was located south of
Lloydminster.
