Author: rumblingclint

Dense fog in morning which continued till after 1. … Breakfasted at 7 + left at 8 cycling to St Boswells¹, Makerstoun, Kelso, Proctor’s Smithy, Pressen, Learmouth, Mindrum, Paxton, Yetholm, Ledford, Ancrum [and] Kelso getting home at 5.20. The fog was very dense from St Boswells + the hoar frost melting off the trees about Makerstoun was quite wetting. After Proctor’s Smithy the sun shone out + I sat on a stone difot [?] + read the Scotsman. Before Preddon I ran into fog again but from Mindrum the sun came through. I lunched between Paston + Yetholm + rain home from there – over 30 miles in 3 ¼ hours and the [whole] run was 66.4 miles. Helen + Nancy² went to an anti-prohibition³ meeting at the Victoria Hall.

¹ Proctor’s Mill, NT745317, Pressen, NT836358, Pawston ? NT849336 – centred on – Pawston [doesn’t look right but at NT855327; Learmouth – East Learmouth shown NT862374

² Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), two of Dr Muir’s daughters

³ Low level pressure to abolish alcohol had rumbled on from the First World War and into the 1920s. Scotland was probably the place in which it gained the greatest traction and indeed Edwin Scrymgeour who served as M.P. for Dundee, 1922-1931, is the only person to have been elected to the House of Commons on a prohibitionist ticket. On a more practical level there was state control (the ‘State Management Scheme’) which nationalised production, distribution and sale of alcoholic drink from 1916 at Enfield, Cromarty and Carlisle/Gretna – the most celebrated of which was the Carlisle Management Scheme which continued until the 1970s and has a small museum at Cakes & Ale bookshop/café at Castle Street, Carlisle, CA3 8SY

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

The clocks were all put back to normal time last night. It was a fine clear morning + a lovely day, calm + sunny, E [wind]. Saw 6 town cases + cycled to Faldonside [where] Phyllis¹ had a good day yesterday + no temperature. Walked up the side of the old wood + sat on a stump admiring the lovely view at the meeting of the rivers². Baptie³ cut away the exuberant Jessamine which was darkening my room. Helen went with Nancy⁴ + Mrs Geo. Roberts⁵ to a concert at Gala.

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 River Tweed and Ettrick Water

³ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), two of Dr Muir’s daughters

⁵ Sarah Elizabeth Roberts née Sclater (1860-1921), widow of George Roberts (c.1842-1910), tweed manufacturer

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

Dull foggy day: mist at times dense. [Wind] N. to E. Saw a couple of cases + went to morning service with Nancy¹. A Salvation Army officer took the service + gave a sketch of the Social work of the S.A. Saw Miss Dunn² + Miss Hall³ after. Was not out again. Nancy, Mrs Geo. Roberts⁴, Barbara⁵, David + Norah⁶ came to supper.

¹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

² Miss Dunn is not identified

³ Assume Janet Hall (c.1846-1930), spinster, Proprietor Occupier of a house at 3 Heath Park, Selkirk [1920 Valuation Roll]

⁴ Sarah Elizabeth Roberts née Sclater (1860-), widow of George Roberts (c.1842-1910), tweed manufacturer

⁵ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), one of Dr Muir’s granddaughters

⁶ Dr David Charteris Graham (1889-1963), medical practitioner and his wife Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971)

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

Cold damp sunless calm. S.W. [wind]. Pavements in morning wet. Slight rain up Yarrow. Was called out at 7.10 from Mauldsheugh (David having gone to Gala for Norah¹) to see a woman who had tried to drown herself in the Cauld. When I got down she had gone home to Forest Road. It appears her name is Gibbons². Motored to Bowhill Upper Lodge + sent Baptie³ on with Amos⁴ who was down from Glengaber. Baptie came back for me + I went on to Oakwood⁵ after lunch. Motored to Curror Street + Faldonside. Miss D.⁶ not so well. Helen [Muir] + I dined at Wellwood. Mrs Geo. Roberts⁷ there. Jack⁸ went to London.

¹ Norah Campion Graham née West (1887-1971), wife of Dr David Charteris Graham (1889-1963), medical practitioner

² The Gibbons family was at 27 Forest Road, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

³ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

⁴ John Amos, shepherd, was “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Glengaber, Yarrow, 1920 Valuation Roll; he had a badly broken leg

⁵ 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

⁶ Oakwood was the home of the Linton family

⁷ Sarah Elizabeth Roberts née Sclater (1860-), widow of George Roberts (c.1842-1910), tweed manufacturer

⁸ Jack Roberts junior, Dr Muir’s son-in-law

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

Another delightful day but not so calm + pleasant as yesterday. Wind round to S.W. Had a busy morning at Viewfield with a chronic cervical abscess in Meg Arscot¹ + 3 cases of T & A², so I didn’t get away to Faldonside till after 2. Found Phyllis³ not quite so well but nothing serious. Was called at 6 in a hurry to Mrs Neil⁴, Fairnilee + found she had had an M.C. Helen was at Gold [?] Club Concert with Barbara, Tim⁵ + Wallace⁶.

¹ Not identified

² Tonsils and adenoids

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; she had been involved in a car accident near Berrybush while travelling between the Gordon Arms and Tushielaw

⁴ James Neil was at Fairnilee, Caddonfoot but his wife is so far not identified

⁵ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996) and George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), two of Dr Muir’s grandchildren

⁶ Miss Wallace was nurse to the Roberts children, Dr Muir’s grandchildren [see diary entries for 6 April 1915, 22 October 1916 and 7 April 1918]

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

Threatened Railway Strike¹

Letter from Guy²

This has been a most perfect autumn day: calm, warm, sunny but harzy [?]. The weather cock pointed E but there wasn’t a breath of wind. After seeing half a doz. town cases. I left at 12 +, calling for Miss Hall³, Heathpark, cycled to Maxton, Fairnington, Nisbet, Ancrum + home by Ancrum Craig + Belses Moor, a run of 38 ½ miles⁴. It was a perfect day for the open + I took it quite easy. Took my tea at the edge of what I think is Upper Nisbet Moor between Rutherford + Roxburgh⁵. I had only once been past Fairnington before + that was coming the other way, and only once on the road from Ancrum to Belses Moor.

¹ The National Archives’ website states that “In the summer of 1920 the economic boom collapsed. As prices and unemployment rose further, industrial strife became more likely. The unions planned a revival of the pre-war Triple Alliance between mining, transport and railway workers. The miners began a strike for higher wages in October 1920, with railwaymen and transport workers threatening supportive action. The government passed an Emergency Powers Bill to ensure essential services and negotiated a temporary six-month increase in wages.” Emergency Powers Bill 1920 accessed 2020.10.02

² Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927), Dr Muir’s brother

³ Janet Hall (c.1846-1930), spinster, proprietor of a house at 3 Heath Park, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁴ Dr Muir has travelled from Maxton, grid reference NGR NT613,301, via Fairnington NT644,280, the western edge of Roxburgh at NT697,305, along the east bank of the River Teviot (and alongside the railway before Nine Wells), and on through Nisbet, NT673,257, Ancrum, NT628,245, Ancrum Craig, NT599,236 and Belses Muir, NT580,238

⁵ It is difficult to be sure from the description but Dr Muir’s likeliest route was along the unclassified road through Big Wood at NT661,294 with Upper Nisbet Moor (centred around NT667,284) to his south but if he had his tea between Rutherford and Roxburgh it is more likely that by then he was on Roxburgh Moor (NT676,296)

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

No frost but a cold, dull day, no rain. S.E. [wind]. My pain rather better but still bad enough to prevent cycling. I walked to Faldonside + got back at 2.30. Miss D¹. improving very slowly. Nice letter from Guy². He has been staying with Annie Muir³ at Stravon + attending the funeral of her sister Aimie, Mrs Hamilton⁴, who died last week at her son’s house in Roslin! Helen + I dined at Dandswall with the Thorburns⁵ + found them very nice.

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

³ Anne ‘Annie’ Muir (c.1839-date), as below, siblings Francis, Amelia (see below) and Charlotte – assume their father John Muir was Dr Muir’s uncle

⁴ Amelie ‘Aimie’ Hamilton nee Muir (date-1920), daughter of John Muir (d.1852), draper, and Charlotte Muir née Fleming (d.1878, Avondale), widow of William Hamilton, farmer, died 12 October 1920, aged 70, at Stanley Lodge, Roslin, usual residence Loganbank, Strathavon, Lanarks

⁵ Malcolm Murray Thorburn and Mary Alison Thorburn née Brodie, married 1916; Thorburn (1889-1977), manufacturer, was tenant occupier at Dandswall, Shawpark Road, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll and was the son of William Thorburn (1847-1926), tweed manufacturer, and Isabella Thorburn née Murray (1858-1942), the family lived at Craigerne Lodge, Peebles, 1891 Census

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

Frost again at night: calm, cold day. Dry. Was seized this morning when dressing with a violent Pleurodynia¹ in right side which disabled me considerably. Walked to Goslaw Green, Curror Street, Wellwood Stables + Chapel Street. Messages afterwards to Miss Dunn², Miss Hall³ + Jeannie Scott, 8a Mavisbank⁴. Saw Mrs Harper⁵ + Amos⁶ at Viewfield before dinner.

¹ Pleurodynia is a general term for pain from the Pleura, the linings around the lungs, thus pain in the chest or upper abdomen when you breathe

² Not identified

³ Perhaps Janet Hall (c.1846-1930), spinster, Proprietor Occupier of a house at 3 Heath Park, Selkirk [1920 Valuation Roll]

⁴ Mrs Jean Scott, widow, was tenant at 8a Mavis Bank, Selkirk [1920 Valuation Roll]

⁵ Margaret Jane Harper née Lyle, of Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, wife of John Johnstone or Johnston Harper (c.1851-1932)

⁶ John Amos, shepherd, had suffered a very serious compound fracture and dislocation at Glengaber, Yarrow on 14th October 1920; he was “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Glengaber, 1920 Valuation Roll

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

Coal Strike¹

Sharp hoar frost, dull cold, dry day, E. [wind]. Cycled to Bank + Rockville. Saw Mrs Harper² + Amos³ at Viewfield with Dav. [Graham] + then cycled to Ettrick Road, Yarrow Terrace, Fairnilee E. Lodge + Faldonside. Phyllis Dees⁴ down in Drawing room, Ailie and Dawn Boyd Wilson⁵ at lunch. Helen [Muir] supped at Viewfield. I shewed Kate Dunlop⁶, who was over with a message, the pictures of Mugwort + Cudweed in a Vol. of “English Botany”⁷ which Jessie Boyd⁸ lent me.

¹ “In the summer of 1920 the economic boom collapsed. As prices and unemployment rose further, industrial strife became more likely. The unions planned a revival of the pre-war Triple Alliance between mining, transport and railway workers. The miners began a strike for higher wages in October 1920, with railwaymen and transport workers threatening supportive action. The government passed an Emergency Powers Bill to ensure essential services and negotiated a temporary six-month increase in wages.” Emergency Powers Bill 1920 accessed 2020.10.02

² Margaret Jane Harper née Lyle, of Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, wife of John Johnstone or Johnston Harper (c.1851-1932)

³ John Amos, shepherd, was “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Glengaber, Yarrow, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁴ 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

⁵ Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson or Boyd-Wilson, later Ailie Brack Boyd Wilson Milne (about 1891-1955) and Dawn Gordon Belle Brack Boyd Wilson, later Boyd Wilson Milne (1894-1980)

⁶ Katherine Mary ‘Kate’ Dunlop (1874-1944), nurse, sometime of Whitmuirhall, Selkirk

⁷ Conceivably ‘English Botany’ by James Sowerby, an illustrated multi-volume set published in 267 monthly issues 1791-1814

⁸ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

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

No fog but a good deal of rain + much colder. Clear + starry at night. Saw half a doz. town cases + was twice at Church. – children’s day. Mrs Harper¹ very poorly: great sickness: rather better at night. David is afraid Amos² may lose his foot. Supped at Wellwood. Wrote Jean asking her to come here with Pike³. Wrote Agnes Logan⁴ + David Ingles⁵. Sent out cards for Colporteur fund⁶.

¹ Margaret Jane Harper née Lyle, of Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, wife of John Johnstone or Johnston Harper (c.1851-1932)

² John Amos, shepherd, had suffered a very serious compound fracture and dislocation at Glengaber, Yarrow on 14th October 1920; he was “Inhabitant Occupier, not rated” at Glengaber, 1920 Valuation Roll

³ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, and her husband Frederick Charles Pike (d.1921), theatrical agent

⁴ Agnes Logan (fl.1920), daughter of Alexander Stuart Logan (1810-1862), advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire, and Agnes Logan née Greig, thus Dr Muir’s cousin

⁵ David Nicholson Ingles (1888-1943), A.R.H.A., Selkirk-born artist who was doing Dr Muir’s portrait

⁶ 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]