According to the inside flap of his 1915
diary, Lester A. Milne lived with his brother Alex at 499 Michigan Ave.,
Hammond, Indiana [no original homes
remain – modern apartment buildings at that location in 2015]. Lester was 5' 5" tall. Alex is sibling
#7 of the 13 Milne children. Lester was the youngest of the 13.
January 1915
1 – Anna & I to Mae's for
dinner. [Anna (Annabel) was Lester's
sister, #12 of the 13 Milne children.] Went from there to Aunt Ellen's.
Walked . Al & I went for a cutter ride [sled
pulled by a horse].
2 - Stayed home all day.
3 – Came home on cars, got home at
7:30. Flora came home. [Flora is Alex's
wife.]
4 – Got two letters from Eva. Went
to Grace's. [Brother Walter's wife.]
5 – Got letter from Eva today. She
isn't feeling very well.
6 – Stayed home all week.
8 – Got a call for a job. Took a test
and went to work. Quit Marcus.
9 – Went to work at IHB as Bill
Clerk at W. Hammond, Illinois.
10 – Went to work about 9:00. Had to
work until late. George's came. [George
was Lester's brother, #2 of 13 Milne kids. His wife's name was Gusta (Augusta)]
11 – Worked hard all day.
12 – Went to DeLong's to meeting.
13- Wrote a letter to Eva.
14 – Alex & I went to
entertainment at church. Anna was out.
15 – Quit work at IHB. Worked one
week.
16 – Went to Aldine on 7:55 [Aldine is a few miles west and south of
Bass Lake], surprised them. Eva didn't know I was coming. Rained &
thawed.
17 – Went to Sunday School, saw all
old neighbors. Eva & I didn't go to Bethel.
18 – Came back on Erie. Went back to
Marcus.
19 – Got a hair cut. Went to
reception at church. Fine time.
20 – Got letter from Eva. Snowed.
Stayed home all evening.
21 – Still snowing. Got letter from
Russell. [Could be Eva's youngest brother
who later married Lou.]
22 – Had a letter from Girlie.
23 – Russell came up. Anna out from
city. We were to see Annette Kellerman.
24 – 6 below zero. Russell & I
went to church. Had my picture taken. Went to Brith Milah [brit milah is a Jewish circumcision ceremony. Lester's boss, Marcus,
was Jewish].
25 – Russell went home this morning.
Still cold.
26 – 4 below. Alex went up town
bought a piano.
27 – Bro't piano today. Alex got a
hair cut.
28 – 14 below this morning.
29 – 6 below. Bought shoes &
shirt.
30 – Snowing & warmer. Went up
town, came home early. Anna was out to Grace's.
31 – Raining all day. Stayed home
and went to church in evening at Baptist.
February 1915
1 – Still raining and icy. Went to
see about lessons [violin lessons].
2 – Froze up and ice. Went to Club.
Had fine time.
4 – Took my first music lesson.
Raining. Got along fine.
5 – Stayed home and pressed my
pants.
6 – Went to see Eva. Russell met me.
My birthday. Eva made me a cake.
7 – Marie
& Estus were down. [Estus was Eva's
oldest brother.] Went to church. Stopped at Tena's [Tena (Christina) was Lester's sister, #10 sibling, married to Danford
(Dan) McQuiston.
8 – Came home this morning. Nearly
missed the trains.
9 – Mr. & Mrs. F. White were
here.
10 – John's Birthday. Grace's were
over this evening. [John was Lester's
nephew Russell John or R.J., the son of Lester's deceased brother John (#8
sibling). When John's mother Nellie died, he lived with Lester's mother,
Lester, Anna & Jim in Knox until Lester's mother died. Then he went to
Hammond to live with relatives. His
story is told in the book, Orphan Boy, written by his son, R.J. Milne,
Jr., quite an interesting read and available on Amazon.com.]
11 – Took my lesson. Have Home sweet
home.
12 – Was over to Grace's. Got my pay
from I.H.B. Warm.
13 – Anna & I were up town. Went
to DeLuxe. Warmer.
14 – Went to Sunday School. Anna
& I to George's this afternoon. Alex went to Bass.
15 – Getting colder.
17 – Anna went to William's. Saw Eva
at church, went home with her. [Don't
know if William's refers to Lester's oldest brother William or someone with
that last name. His brother William later moved to Montana.]
18 – Anna was at Tena's. Warmer
today. Spring weather.
19 – Fred & Everett came up
tonight. Took my lesson. Went up town.
20 – Boys went to Chicago. Got a
hair cut. Stayed home and went to bed.
21 – Went to Chicago on 6:40 to
Meyers. Had a fine time. Came home on 10:32.
22 – Fine weather.
23 – Freddie & Everett went to
South Bend.
25 – Took my music. Anna was over.
26 – Fine weather all week.
27 – Went to Aldine. Russell met me.
Mr. Banta very low. Eva was well.
28 – Went to Tena's and church. Eva
was with me.
March 1915
1 – Tena has girl. Came home. Walked
to station. Anna went away.
2 – Mr. Banta died this morning.
3 – Got card from Eva, or letter.
4 – Got card from Eva. Anna came
back. Took my lesson.
5 – Snowed today. 4 inches.
6 – Still snowing. Russell came up.
Eva took him to Knox.
7 – Anna went away. Russell went
home. Was to Grace's for dinner. Went to church.
8 – Nice weather today. Eva went to
Winamac Sunday.
9 – Still nice weather.
10 – Jim was married today at
Sterling. Expect them tomorrow. [Jim was
Lester's brother, #11 sibling, who married Pansy White and had 3 sons all in
Michigan: Bill, James & Thomas.]
11 – Met the wedding couple this
morning. Mrs. White came too.
12 – Jim's all went to Concert. Mrs.
White went to Obes. Stayed at Walt's.
13 – Jean & Bert came out. Went
up town with them. [Jean is Lester's sister, sibling #4, who married Robert (Bert) Wilson
Bielby]
14 – Had a big dinner. All relatives
are here. Eva came too. Went to church & stayed at U.
15 – Eva & Grace to George's for
dinner. I went out for supper. Girls stayed all night.
16 – Eva & us went to the
Orpheum. Jim left for Montana.
17 – Eva went home on the Erie 7:55.
Walked from Aldine.
18 – Got card from Eva.
19 – G. was over. Took a lesson.
20 – Mrs. White came from Knox. We
were to see Jane Eyre at DeLuxe.
21 – Went to Sunday School. Grace
& I too, church at night. Geo. & G were over. Grace & I went to
Dutch Social at M.E. church. Mrs. W. went home.
25 – Took a lesson. G. went to
George's.
26 – Got a hair cut.
27 – Saw Cabiria [movie] at Orpheum with Grace.
28 – G & I went to Sunday School
and church. Evening too.
30 – Jewish Easter
31 – Went to Marcus' this evening.
Had a fine time.
April 1915
1 – April Fool. Took lesson.
2 – Stayed home and went to bed
early.
3 – Went to Aldine. R. was there
with R.B. Eva was well. Took her a bunny.
4 – Fine day. Went to church. Eva
& I stopped at Tena's. Went home in rain.
5 – Came home on Erie. Walked to
station. Walked it in 30 min. Went to bed early.
6 – Got letter from Eva. Warm &
clear.
7 – Took my lesson tonight. How the
gates came ajar.
8 – Today was warm and clear.
9 – 74 today at 3 p.m.
10 – G & I to see "Girl
from out of Town" with Jack Bessey. Also to movie.
11 – Went to Sunday School &
church. Rode a motorcycle.
12 – Letter from Eva.
13 – Anna came but was over to G.
until 11:00.
15 – Went to see St. Elmo with Anna
& Grace and Miss Haven.
16 – Anna went back. Have the Shepherd
Boy and Marble Halls.
17 – Went to see the Girl of the
Underworld. Bot me an umbrella.
18 – Went to Verl's with Grace. Warm
day. 79.
19 – Got a bad cold. Warmer today –
89 degrees.
20 – 85 today. Got me new razor
blades.
22 – Went to see Her Fathers Sins.
Got letter from Pansy [Brother Jim's new
wife]. Took lesson. Have "Happy Thought" now.
23 - Heard from Pansy today too.
Wrote them a letter.
24 – Went to Aldine. Walked and got
caught in storm. Had a small party. Eva is feeling fine.
25 – Warm today. 85. Estus, Maree,
Elisa Watles, Dan and Tena were all down. Russell went away.
26 – 88 today. Came home on Erie.
27 – 92 today.
28 – Still warm.
29 – Took lesson, got new book.
30 – Got hair cut, new shirt and tie
at the Lion.
May 1915
1 – To see Chorus Girl and Meat
Market.
2 – Raining. To Sunday School and
George's for dinner and supper, back to League and church.
3 – Raining today and colder.
4 – Still raining. Went to club, had
a good time and ice cream.
5 – Stayed home tonight and went to
bed.
6 – Got up at 4:20 and went on a
hike with League to Hessville, had breakfast.
7 – Had a mock trial tonight in
Federal Court. Won the case.
8 – Went to Kesler's. Eva was to
Dock's. Was disappointed went to bed and got her in morn.
9 – Got Eva home at 8:30. Estus and
Maree and Clyde's were down. Went home with them in auto.
10 – Came home from North Liberty on
the Wabash. Had a fine visit there.
11 – Eva went home today from Uncle
Clyde's.
12 – Eva stayed and went to Mich.
Went home this morning.
14 – Went up town, got me violin
string. Also song "When you and I were young Maggie."
15 – Went up town to see the
Goddess, a serial play. Raining.
16 – Went to Sunday School and
League. At Grace's for dinner. E.G. Miles from Indianapolis spoke at church.
20 – Went to Gary Y.M.C.A. Went in
swimming & played ball. 30 boys with me. Took lesson tonight.
22 – Went to see the Goddess with E.
Saw Maurice and his sister.
23 – Alex & I went riding to
Munster, Maynard, Dyer and Lansing. Went to church in evening.
24 – Went to see Willard in 101
Ranch. Had big parade.
25 – Got new office desk and chair
today.
26 – Rained 28 days in May.
28 – Pressed my clothes and took
bath.
29 – Went to Knox on 3:32. Anna came
out. Russell met us. Eva was well.
30 – Went to Tena's in morning. And
to church this p.m. Alex & Flora were out too.
31 – Went to cemetery. Eva & I
were home all afternoon. Got supper.
June 1915
1 – Came home. Eva took me to Aldine
with eggs & butter.
2 – Got card from Eva. Jean got a
good place.
3 – Went to Carnival with kids.
4 – Took lesson and went to Carnival
for awhile.
5 – Went up town to Orpheum with
Grace.
6 – Went to Sunday School. Warm all
day. Geo. & Gusta were over in evening.
7 – Dretta came out tonight. She is
on her way to Montana. [Dretta was a sister-in-law to Alex, Lester's
oldest brother William's son. Sara Milne Carpenter's comment on 4/7/2015: "There
were 3 sisters, Pansy, Flora, and Dretta White. Pansy married James
Milne, Flora- Alex Milne, and Dretta married a George Vanderlander.
Dretta and George lived on a farm next to William Milne in Montana. When
Vanderlanders moved to Belgrade, MT my Dad or my Grandpa William Milne (I can't
remember the time line on that) bought the Vanderlander place. It
was part of the land that my Dad owned, where I grew up. There was still
a 2 room house and a really big red barn. Georgia and I used to like to explore
the old house. Most of the homesteaders had tiny houses and BIG barns."]
8 – Took Dret to Chicago to train.
Got home at 12:20.
9 – Got hair cut and printed
pictures tonight.
10 – Took lesson and stayed home.
11 – Went up town seen Chas.
Chaplin.
12 – Went to Kindel's Grove to
switchmen's picnic. Bum crowd.
13 – Helped Walt today and went to
church.
14 – Street cars on strike today.
Maurice came to see me.
15 – Got letter from Eva.
16 – Car strike over at 11:00 a.m.
Alex & I went to show.
17 – Mrs. Horton went away. Vern
& I went to show at Orpheum. [Vern
possibly Walter's oldest child.]
18 – Raining. Sent Anna's trunk.
19 – Verda & I went to Aldine.
Tena met us. Eva & I went to P. party, had bad cold!
20 – Vern, Lloyd & all were down
for dinner, went to church and Estus for supper. Back to program in evening.
21 – Came home. Eva walked to Aldine
with me. So sweet of her.
22 – I went to see Gillie's
punctured Romance at DeLuxe.
23 – Bo't When you're a long, long
way from home. Letter from Girlie.
24 – Eva went to Rochester on
Milk-train to can cherries.
25 – Got letter from Girlie written
the same day at Talma.
26 – Walter & I went to Kates on
B&O milk train, surprised them. [Walter
is Lester's brother, #5 sibling, who married Grace. I believe they separated or
divorced. Their children were Vern, Virginia & Violet.]
27 – Walked over the town, bo't some
clothing and came home on a fast train.
28 – Felt bum today. Got Eva's
letter this evening again.
29 – Making out statements for the
first.
July 1915
1 – Got letter from Eva. She canned
94 quarts cherries.
2 – Bathed and went to bed early.
3 – Went to Rochester on 11:49 Erie.
Met me in car, had a fine celebration at Talma.
4 – Rained most all day. Took a
dozen pictures. Went to the cemetery in auto.
5 – Motored thru to Keslers. Came
thru Culver and got home at 5:00. Had a fine trip.
6 – We all came to Aldine in car.
Flora was on train. Got 12 more pictures.
7 – Margaret came Monday with
George. Finished pictures tonight until 11:30.
8 – Sent Eva some pictures. Am to
print some tonight.
9 – Took lesson and stayed at home.
10 – Margaret and I went up town to
see Chas. Chaplin.
11 – Marg. & I went to Sunday
School & church. To Baptist at night.
12 – Went down to park with kids.
Warm day.
13 – Had Beach party at Lake. Our
club. Went in bathing 1st time in Lake Michigan.
14 – Got hair cut and went to show
with Marg. & Grace's kids.
15 – All went to Lake took lunch,
had a fine time. Home at 11:00. 88 degrees
16 – Took lesson tonight. To bed
early.
17 – Took Margaret home. Vern went
too. Arrived at 8 o'clock.
18 – At Lizzie's all day. Went to
church. Came home on car, arrived at 9:30. [Lizzie
was Lester's sister, #3 of the 13. She married Robert P. Henry.]
20 – Went to Grace's for supper to
see Ross.
21 – Went up town to meet Vincent.
Never came, went to Orpheum.
23 – Took lesson and stayed home.
24 – Eastland capsized. [Photo below of the Eastland on the Chicago
River. 844 died in this accident. They were on their way to Western Electric Company
picnic in Michigan City.]
Went to
Aldine and walked in rain. Eva was mad I had to walk.
25 – Went to Sunday School &
church at Aldine. Had spring chicken for dinner. Went to church with Merle
& Dewey.
26 – Came home this a.m. Eva went to
work for her aunt.
27 – Had a head ache and went to bed
early.
28 – Willies had baby and died.
29 – Went to Commencement of Hammond
Musical College with Grace.
30 – Dan came up on his way west.
Went up town with him.
31 – Didn't go up town tonight. Went
to bed.
August 1915
1 – Alex, kids & I went to Lake.
Some big crowd there.
2 – Had letter from Eva. Big
rainfall tonight.
3 – Letter from Girlie again. She is
still at her Aunts.
4 – Alex & I went to show. Got
our money back.
6 – Had lesson and went to bed.
7 – Went up town to show.
8 – Cleaned my wheel every part.
Home all day.
[Wheel probably refers to his bicycle. I
believe Lester is on the left in the photo and his nephew John (later called
R.J.) is on the right. In Orphan Boy, R.J. tells about he and his uncles
riding bicycles to their jobs at the Lion store. They hoisted the bicycles
above on pulleys so they'd be out of the way, then lowered them at the end of
their shifts and rode home.]
9 – Eva is
back to the Lake.
10 – Finished pictures tonight.
11 – Got 6 razor blades today.
14 – Eva came up on 10:15. Were up
town in evening to Orpheum.
15 – Eva & I went to Lake Front.
Biggest crowd known there. To church tonight.
16 – Went to Marcus' on Ind. Ave.
Had nice time and lunch.
17 – Girlie was at office all
afternoon with me. She washed today.
18 – Went to Elk's picnic. Home
early and went to Orpheum.
19 – We went to the opening of the
new bath house $125 worth of fireworks.
20 – Eva & I were out to
George's. Eva stayed all night.
21 – Eva, Vern & I went to
LaGrange. Marg. met us.
22 – Went to church and came home at
6, got home from LaGrange at 9:30.
23 – Anna here. We all went to see
House of Mystery with Jack Besser. Bo't razor strop.
24 – Eva went home this morning.
Anna went to Nappanee.
25 – Home and pressed my pants. Got
hair cut Tuesday.
28 – Went up town to see Blue Mouse.
Grace went to LaGrange.
29 – Helped Walt all morning. Went
to church at night.
30 – Colder today.
September 1915
1 – Was out to George's this
evening.
2 – Stayed home and went to bed.
3 – Was up town. Bought wedding ring
and shoes.
4 – Was to show with Grace's. Bought
night shirt.
5 – Went to Sunday School and
Grace's & I went to Epkers in evening.
6 – Labor Day. Found rooms, dandy
ones. Ate dinner at Walt's.
7 – Mr. Henry was buried today.
8 – Went to Aldine. Eva met me. It
rained. Everybody well.
9 – Eva &
I were married at Knox by Rev. Kimberlin. Russell went too.
10 – Went to
William's to stay all night.
11 – Packed our trunk and stayed
home all day.
12 – Went to Tena's and Estus for
dinner. Came home on 8:28 N.P. [Nickel
Plate?] Grace's met us.
13 – Went to our own home today.
Like it fine and are happy.
14 – Down to Alex's.
15 – Eva helped Flora wash.
16 – Got letter from Mother [Eva's mother. Lester's mother died in 1912].
They are lonesome.
18 – Holiday. Didn't work. Paid my
interest. Went up town in evening.
19 – We were to Grace's for dinner.
Went to lake in p.m. and to church at night.
20 – Was to Grace's this evening.
Took my stenotype to school.
21 – Was down to Alex's tonight
again.
22 – Eva washed today and ironed
some.
24 – Went to ice cream social.
Bought Eva a new waist [blouse].
25 – Got new clock & iron today.
Went up to see Graustark.
26 – Went to Alex's after dinner.
Stayed for supper.
30 – Tena came up, stayed at our
house for dinner.
October 1915
1 – Tena left for Chicago. Was to
Flora's this evening. Got hair cut.
2 – Went to Flora's awhile.
3 – Went to Alex's after dinner and
Grace's at night.
4 – Was up town got peaches &
pears.
5 – Went to dentist and to see
submarine pictures.
6 – Was to Alex's tonight. Eva
canned tomatoes.
7 – Went to recital at G.M.E.
church.
8 – Got 3 fillings in my teeth. Went
to see Hammond pictures.
9 – Went up town for stamps. Went to
Flora's after Eva.
10 – Put up Alex's stove and stayed
for dinner. Heard a good sermon tonight.
11 – Sox won the City series. 4 to
1.
12 – Went to Grace's tonight for an
hour or so.
13 – Stayed at home.
14 – Alex's baby born at 9:30. Kids
stayed with us.
15 – Eva went to Alex's. Got job in
Lion store clothing.
16 – Stayed at Flora's until late.
17 – Was at Alex's this morn. Rained
in p.m., stayed home from church.
19 – Got letter and sweet gift from
Auntie in Cal.
20 – First day of Fall Festival. Was
up town, big crowd.
21 – Up town tonight also. Baby
parade today.
22 – Started work in Lion Store run
$8.45.
23 – Worked tonight, had $8.06. Last
day of Festival.
24 – Went for a walk to park &
lot. Stopped at Grace's. George & Gusta there.
25 – Saw Silver threads among the
gold [movie].
26 – Stayed home. Fine weather.
27 – Went up and paid dentist 3.00
for filling & clean. Got money for stenotype.
29 – Worked tonight, only $5.43. Eva
got new hat & shoes.
30 – Went to Knox on midnight, rode
out with Rannels, went to Keslers.
31 – Was to Sunday School. Saw old
friends. Tola and Earl were down also. [Tola
is Eva's 2nd oldest sister who married Earl Dick and lived in
Claypool, Indiana where Earl farmed. They had 2 children: Russell who married
Erma and Mary who married Jack Tabor. Neither Russell's nor Mary's had
children.]
November 1915
1 – Russell bro't us to 4:56. Got up
at 2:00 Home at 7:00.
4 – Got hair cut. Helped Lawrence
with Lessons.
5 – Had $8.00 tonight. Went to see
Vanity Fair at Orpheum.
6 – Had $10.97 tonight. Came home
early.
7 – Helped Walter today. Grace went
to Chicago. Herman Darr was out.
8 – Was to Alex's tonight awhile.
9 – Went up town saw An Alien.
10 – Went to church, saw Norm S.
& wife. Good sermon.
11 – Tonight also to church. Fine
crowd and sermon.
12 – Worked and went to see
Esmeralda with Mary Pickford.
13 – Got Eva new dress tonight.
14 – Went down to Flora's and to
church.
15 – Stayed home this evening.
16 – Snowed about ½ inch, lasted
about 2 hrs. Went to Flora's.
17 – Alex came home, brought us a
rabbit.
19 – Worked at store and went to see
Damaged Goods with girl.
20 – Got me an overcoat tonight.
21 – Went to Grace's this p.m., was
to go to George's.
22 – Eva is helping clean house at
Grace's, stayed all night there.
23 – Clarence came up, went to
Chicago. We were to Alex's tonight. Got hair cut.
24 – Worked at store tonight also.
25 – To Grace's for dinner, went to
Vaudeville in evening.
26 – Violet stayed all night.
27 – Eva ironed today for Grace.
28 – The whole Hammond Milne family
were at George's for dinner, had fine goose.
29 – Eva went to help Mrs. Elker
serve at Masonic Temple. Went to see B.B. Co.
30 – Eva finished today, got $5.50.
Was awful tired.
December 1915
1 – Was over to Grace's awhile
looking at our proofs.
2 – Stayed at home.
3 – Went down and had another sitting
of pictures.
4 – Mother's birthday. Russell came
up.
5 – Estus & Marie came on Erie,
stayed all day. Had a fine time.
6 – To Grace's awhile.
7 – Verda was to Grace's all night.
Went over awhile.
8 – Came home and found Russell.
Sprained his wrist.
9 – Russell is still here.
10 – Russell went home tonight.
Couldn't find work.
11 – Big Christmas rush up town
already. Had a big snow storm.
12 – Eva's birthday. Was to Alex's
for dinner and went to church.
15 – Started to work every night.
17 – Went to see Sins of the
Mothers.
18 – Icy all over the walks.
19 – Estus & Marie came up. All
went to see the Birth of a Nation.
23 – Was sick all night. Almost
died. Fainted away.
24 – Came home at 3:00. Went out on
10:31 to Knox. Big snowstorm. Went to Estus's.
25 – Christmas day. Stayed home and
went to Tree at night. Saw Anna & every body.
26 – Went to William's for dinner.
Alex was out, Anna went back.
27 – Eva & I came home on Erie.
Went to Flora's this evening.
28 – John is sick. Has to have operation.
29 – John operated on today. Is in
bad shape.
30 – Was up to see John with Walt
and Alex.
31 – Russell came up. Also Anna.
Both stayed all night with us. All went to Mae's for New Years. Had fine time
and stayed all night.
1916
January 1,
1916 – Went to Aunt Ellen's Sunday, had a great time. Came home Monday at
12:30.
2 – Alex from Bass is up here for a
week.
3 – Eva was sick all week with
Grippe.
4 – Got laid off at Lion Store for
awhile.
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