Author: rumblingclint

The strong westerly gale raged all night + today with occasional blasts of rain. Rivers flooded. Feeling much better + took my food with relish. David [Graham] came home this morning¹, Baptie² meeting him at Gala. I intended cycling but a blast prevented me. Motored to Mavisbank + Faldonside. Phyllis³ i.s.q. David went down a night. I came back by Forest Road, Ettrickhaugh Road + Linglie Cottages. McMillan⁴, Melrose, called for the ambulance to take a patient to Edinburgh.

¹ David Graham, Dr Muir’s co-partner, had been called to London on 11 November

² Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

³ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

⁴ Assume John James McMillan (1879-1953), of whom the Scottish Medical Service Emergency Committee Intimation, 1916, reference SMC/3/4/1/9 6:10, states “St Johns, Melrose, Lieut. R.A.M.C. till October 1916, signed Ettie McMillan”

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Violent gale last night + all day with some rain from W. Feeling better + by evening the pain + other dyspeptic symptoms had gone. Got ‘Phone at 8 to go down to Faldonside. Phyllis¹ had a sort of fit or spasm affecting the muscles of neck. Gave her some Bromide. Went Had breakfast there. Went down again at 3 + 9. Had to order Heroin as 45 grs. Bromide had not made her sleep. Went to evening service. Mrs Jardine from Berwick gave an address on the “Unknown Warrior”. It was Communion Sunday. Supped at Wellwood. Mrs Mack there².

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

I suffered at night + all day with the worst attack of Dyspepsia I ever had. It made me quite miserable all day + I took very little food. Walked to Byethorn + Goslaw Green + motored to Faldonside + Shielshaugh. Phyllis Dees¹ pretty well + [I] didn’t go down at night. Was in house all afternoon + evening. It was a fine morning. Hounds at Haining. Had a bit [?] of fish + a glass of sherry for dinner in Smoke room. Wire from D. [David Graham] to say he would be done on Monday morning². Ettrick in flood.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

² David Graham, Dr Muir’s co-partner, had been called to London on 11 November

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

The first really wet day since Oct. 19th. S.W. wind. Mild. Fairly busy day. Motored Byethorn, Yarrow Terrace, Hospital, Bridgelands, Linglie Cottage + Corbie Cottage. Didn’t get tea till 2.45. Jack¹ called with a sore throat. Went down to Faldonside at night. Phyllis² slept last night but had grs xxx Bromide + a hypo of heroin. At night she was fairly bright + I gave her at Ed. Bramwell’s³ suggestion 1/6 … She asked for the bedpan today.

¹ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966), mill owner and Provost of Selkirk

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

³ Edwin ‘Ed’ Bramwell (1873-1952), Professor, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P.E., Scottish neurologist, specialist in brain injuries and shell-shock and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from 1933 to 1935

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Burial of an “Unknown Warrior” at Westminster Abbey¹

Armistice Day. Lovely morning + forenoon but duller in afternoon. Quite dry. Cycled down to Faldonside first thing. Phyllis² sick again + a bad night. At 11 gave Peggy Orr³ chlor[orform] + Dav. [Graham] removed her Appendix. Saw some town cases after + paid Feu Duty &c. Dav. got wire announcing Mrs Welsh’s death⁴ + went to London at night. I cycled down to Faldonside at 7. Roads splendid: very dark. Phyllis very sleepless. Gave her Bromide. Had supper with Mrs D. + her sister Miss Henderson⁵. Dees⁶ at Newcastle. Mrs Mackintosh⁷ came to tea + brought me a section of heather honey.

¹ Westminster Abbey’s desciption of the event is here

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

³ Assume Margaret Grieve ‘Peggy’ Orr (1897-), daughter of James Scott Orr, powerloom tuner, and Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Orr née Cavers

⁴ Johannah Welsh, died December Quarter 1920, aged 84, Mile End, 1c 382, looks like the only match but it is not clear why this would have caused Dr Graham to hurry south

⁵ Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson (1872-1948), Phyllis Dees’ mother had several sisters, two of whom – Robina and Isobel – never married and died after 1920, so it is not possible to identify Miss Henderson

⁶ Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923), Edith Dees’ husband

⁷ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Sharper temp. + a clear atmosphere: strong drying W. + N.W. wind. Cycled via Mavisbank + Curror Street to Faldonside. Phyllis¹ much relieved (possibly by the lumbar puncture). As the day was so fine I went on to Melrose + across the Chain Bridge (which I have not crossed for many years) to Gattonside + back by Gala foot. Saw them laying the electric cable at Netherbarns on the low road, almost 40 navvies at work². Was in house all afternoon. Helen + Nancy at Picture House with Mrs Mackintosh³.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

² Dr Muir travelled to Melrose, across the chain bridge, grid reference NGR NT545,346, to Gattonside and returned via Galafoot and the higher road (what is now the A7 between Kingsknowes and Selkirk) where he saw works on the lower road which runs between the railway and the River Tweed at Netherbarns, grid reference NGR NT502,343 see Ordnance Survey Six Inch Selkirkshire Sheet nVIII, published 1924   here

³ Two of Dr Muir’s daughters Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), and Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Very mild but rather more drying than yesterday. S.W. Made 13 town calls including Guttridge¹, Ettrickhaugh Road + Hospital. Cycled to Faldonside + Sunderland Hall Lodge. Phyllis² Dees worse + complaining of some stiffness + pain in left side of neck. Advised consult with Bramwell³ + Scott Skirving⁴ + they came out at 7. S.Sk. did a lumbar puncture + the fluid was a little turbid. We all dined. S.Sk. announced that he was going to have his appendix out preparatory to his marriage on Nov. 17th. Helen⁵ had tea at Wellwood + supped at Elmpark + went to a concert in Church Hall. I paid [illegible] accounts + sent away Colporteur⁶ money.

¹ Edward Gutridge , millworker and tenant occupier of a house at 11 Ettrickhaugh Road, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

³ Edwin ‘Ed’ Bramwell (1873-1952), Professor, M.B., Ch.B., F.R.C.P.E., Scottish neurologist, specialist in brain injuries and shell-shock and President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh from 1933 to 1935

⁴ Archibald Adam Scott Skirving (1869-1930), M.B., C.M., lecturer in clinical surgery married Georgina Sally Heugh (1881-1967) at Morningside, 1920

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper was at her sisters (Wellwood) and at Mrs Mackintosh’s (Elm Park)

⁶ Colportage, the work of a colporteur, “A hawker of books, newspapers, etc. esp. (in English use) one employed by a society to travel about and sell or distribute Bibles and religious writings.” Source O.E.D.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

Very mild + dull but no rain. S.W. [wind]. Glass [barometer] strangely high. Motored to Faldonside. Phyllis¹ a little better: had good sound sleep + was brighter. Came back by Green Terrace + up to Oakwood. Mr Linton much better². Met his son Jas. who lives at Cademuir + his wife a Glendinning from Over Cassock³. Got Draft for £3 for Patrick⁴ + posted it. Walked to Castle Street + Heathpark. Message at 4.15 to Mr Wood, Sunderland Hall Lodge, who had got his face bruised + cut by a tree. David was at Riddell Lodge⁵ + Kirklea⁶ + took Helen who went to Mauldsheugh⁷ for tea.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

² Simon Linton (1836–1921), farmer, of Oakwood, Selkirk

³ James Robert Linton (1873-1952), occupier of a farm and other property at Cademuir, Manor, 1920, he had married Elizabeth Carruthers Glendinning (1888-1962) in 1918 at St Andrew Edinburgh; she was at Over Cassock, Eskdalemuir, Langholm, 1911 Census

⁴ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

⁵ Major Mark Sprot was proprietor of Riddell, Lilliesleaf but exactly which lodge David Graham visited is unclear

⁶ Kirklea, Ashkirk, home of William Henry ‘W H’ or ‘Will’ Ogilvie (1869-1963), poet, author, journalist and one of Australia’s great Bush poets and Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Ogilvie née Scott Anderson (1879-1965)

⁷ Dr David Charteris Graham and his wife Norah were tenants at Mauldsheugh, 23 Yarrow Terrace, Selkirk,

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

A mild day: dull but dry, a little rain in forenoon. I had a lot of coughing last night. Motored to Goslaw Green, Curror Street, Faldonside + Hospital + got back before the Church came out. Was in town all the rest of the day till night when I went to Faldonside again. Phyllis¹ very low + apathetic passing urine and faeces involuntarily + unconsciously. No sickness. Helen² went to Moffat with Nancy³ to see Stewart + Jock⁴. They got back rather late for supper having had tyre trouble near the Gordon [Arms]. Mrs Mackintosh⁵ came also. Wrote Pat⁶, Guy⁷ + Stewart⁸.

¹ Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside

² Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter

³ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter and wife of John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior

⁴ John ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950) and Stewart Muir Roberts (1908-2003), two of Dr Muir’s grandchildren

⁵ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elmpark, Selkirk

⁶ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

⁷ Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother

⁸ Not identified

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]

I didn’t get back to bed till 2 this morning. Mrs Brown¹ was very collapsed + died in the afternoon. Dav. [Graham, co-partner] made a P.M. [Post Mortem]. I cycled to Corbie Cottage + Faldonside. Miss Dees² i.s.q.³ + then I motored to Riddell W. Lodge to a Mrs Morton⁴. Helen + Barb.⁵ Cycled to Grundiston Height to see the hounds which met at Drinkston⁶. Nancy + Tim⁷ were riding. Helen brought home the framework of the brush!

¹ Mary Ritchie Brown née Johnstone or Johnston (1876-1920), died 6 November 1920, of a gastric ulcer, aged 44, at Viewfield nursing Home, usual residence Gowanlea, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk; she was the daughter of Ebenezer Johnstone or Johnston, woollen pattern weaver, and Hannah Johnston or Johnston née Redpath, married 1873, Ladhope, and the wife of Tom Brown, watchmaker

² Phyllis Mary ‘Fiff’ Dees (1899-1920), daughter of Robert Irwin Dees (1872-1923) and Edith Mary Boileau Dees née Henderson, the new (1920) tenants at Faldonside; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

³ In status quo

⁴ Andrew Morton was the Inhabitant Occupier at West Lodge, North Riddell, 1820 Valuation Roll

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), one of his grandchildren

⁶ Groundistone Height, grid reference NGR NT498,201 crosses the A7 while Drinkstone Farm is to its south east at NT483,175

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter and one of her sons George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/23, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1920]