Author: rumblingclint

A dull day terminating in very heavy rain. After doing a few town cases cycling left at 11.20 in Bryson’s Argyll¹ + picking up Barbara² at Wellwood went via Gattonside + Leaderfoot to Bemersyde, Smailholm, Mellerstain, Gordon, Greenlaw + Fogo, where, beside the [River] Blackadder we stopped for lunch. It began rain there + we put the hood up. We returned via Mt. Pleasant, Swinton + Kelso, getting home at 4.20. The girls enjoyed the run. Saw Johnny Nicolson³ at Viewfield before dinner + was called to Mrs Dobson⁴, Forest Road at 9. Length of motor run about 67 miles.

¹ Argyll Ltd manufactured cars at different times at Bridgeton, Glasgow and Alexandria, Dunbartonshire, c.1900-1928

² Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s granddaughter

³ John Nicholson (c.1858-1920), woollen mill foreman, retired, of 32 High Street, Selkirk, son of James Nicholson, woollen mill worker, and Isabella Nicholson née Armstrong, and widower of Margaret Beattie

⁴ Helen Dobson née Hope (c.1859-1920), widow of woollen designer George Dobson and living at Kirkwood, Forest Road, Selkirk, 1920

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

Strong S.W. wind + a little rain between 5 + 7, the first since this day week. I cycled in the town + then to Hospital + Faldonside. Saw Peggy Lockie¹ off in the ambulance to Manor Vale [sic] Sanatorium². Her mother + Nurse Beck³ went with her. In the afternoon got my hair cut + cycled to Smedheugh. Dundas called with a message to a Mrs Black at Gordon Arms. David [Graham] went up + took his sister Isa with him. Connie Patrick⁴ arrived at 6. Got letter from Jean⁵ + wrote her about ham which never arrived.

¹ Margaret ‘Peggy’ Lockie (1903-1921), daughter of Walter Lockie and Margaret Lockie née Scott of Forest Road, Selkirk

³ In 1902 Caverhill, Manor, Peeblesshire was turned into a sanitorium for the ‘open-air treatment of lung TB carried out in specially constructed Pavillions …’ – see ‘The Source of Manor’ by Lyne & Manor Youth Group ISBN 0 9537206 08, printed by Kelso Graphics 1999 and Ordnance Survey Six Inch Peebles-shire Sheet XIII.SW, published 1900

³ Nurse Beck has appeared from time to time in Dr Muir’s diary from at least 1914

⁴ Constance Mary ‘Connie’ Patrick (1882-1968), born Hamilton, Lanarks, the daughter of David Patrick, writer, and Christina Robertson Patrick née Rodger

⁵ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

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

Bright morning but gradually duller + wind rose from W.S.W. Barometer falling + a sensation of drizzle at night. Walked to [word deleted] Forest Road, Curror Street, Clifton Road + Home. Went to Morning Service. Mr Hutton of Stow¹ preaching from “One thing have I of the Lord desired”² &c. Saw Miss Dunn after Church. D. [Dora Muir] + Boyack³ went with D. [David Graham, Co-partner] to Deloraine⁴ + took tea with them. I had a quiet afternoon + put up the rest of the County accounts + did the books to date. David looked in at night.

¹ The Reverend John R Hutton of the United Free Church Manse, Stow, 1920 Valuation Roll

² Psalms 27:4 “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”

³ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

⁴ Easter Deloraine and Wester Deloraine are near Gilmanscleuch, Kirkhope Parish

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

Weather the same but with a little sunshine. Nice + warm + calm. Mrs And. Wright¹ went home from Viewfield. Bella² was out in the grounds for a little. Saw some town cases walking. Dora + Boyack³ went to Lilliesleaf with D. [David Graham] + then to Friarshawmuir⁴ where he was buying a gun. They came back to Elmpark for tea + then Boyack went with D. to Bengerburn + Eagles Nest⁵. Mrs Mack⁶ was here at supper. I had a very quiet afternoon in the house by myself.

¹ Isabella Wright née Johnstone of 6a Clifton Road, Selkirk [1920 Valuation Roll]; she had married 31 December 1897, at Selkirk Manse, Andrew Wright, journeyman tailor, later tailor’s cutter

² Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

³ Friarshawmuir, Bowden, Roxburghshire (grid reference NGR NT510,265), where Brigadier General James Bruce Jardine was Proprietor [1920 Valuation Roll]

⁴ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

⁵ Mountbengerburn (NT317,254) and Eastleigh Nest (NT316,259), both Yarrow and near to Gordon Arms

⁶ 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]

Another day like yesterday. David had a couple of circumcisions at Johnstone’s, Craigview¹ + I gave chlor[oform]. Had to go out to Smedheugh to see Mrs Dagg². Cycled there. Went fishing, but did very little. Got 5 small ones. The Patons³ were here at lunch + Mrs Mackintosh⁴ + they all adjourned to Elmpark for tea. Got back from fishing at 7.35 + had to go to Lilliesleaf to see the three sons of a tramp couple + get them sent to the poorhouse.

¹ William R Johnstone, mill manager, was at Craigview, 5 Ashybank, Selkirk, 1919 and 1920 Valuation Rolls

² Elizabeth Malcolm Gardiner née Dagg, widow of Alexander Dagg (1885-1920), farmer, who had committed suicide in July 1920; they had married at Kirkliston, 1907 and she appears to have died 1927 at Cathcart, Glasgow

³ Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), sisters living on their own means [1901 Census], latterly at Galashiels

⁴ 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]

A fine warm day but without sunshine. Saw a few town cases. Went to David Ingles marriage + gave away the Bride¹. They were married by Ross in Sandy Ingles’² house + then adjourned to And. Brown’s³ for a high tea. I saw them off by the last train en route for London. Message to Dickie⁴, Dandswall, to see a boy who had his fingers caught in a bicycle chain. Was called out at 5 a.m. to see Mrs Wright⁵ at Viewfield with vomiting.

¹ Marriage of David Nicholson Ingles (1888-1933), A.R.H.A., portrait artist and Margaret Teresa Kavanagh (c.1884-1932), artist, at ‘Forestview’, Forest Road, Selkirk see David N Ingles ARHA ‘Oil Portrait of an Irish Lady’

² Alexander ‘Sandy’ Ingles, postman, the groom’s father

³ Assume Andrew Brown (c.1850-1921), hosiery manufacturer, resident Dunreay, Selkirk

⁴ Robert J Dickie, millworker, was at the Lodge, Dandswall, Shawpark Road, Selkirk, 1920 Valuation Roll

⁵ Isabella Wright née Johnstone of 6a Clifton Road, Selkirk [1920 Valuation Roll]; she had married 31 December 1897, at Selkirk Manse, Andrew Wright, journeyman tailor, later tailor’s cutter

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

Poor Mrs Nisbet¹ died this morning at 3. + also Mary Smith² (Broomfield) in the Royal Infirmary where she has been under Sir Jas. Hudson³ for 3 months. She was operated on for gall stones + a swab was left in + she developed gangrene of pancreas. There was very little doing today + I only saw Dobson⁴ + [illegible], Forest Road + Robertson⁵, Curror Street. D. [David Graham] + I put up all the town accounts for distribution. Dav. Ingles⁶ came round at 3 + completely altered my portrait. Dora + Boyack⁷ had a run to St. Mary’s Loch + took tea with them. We, Nancy, Barbara⁸, Mrs Mack⁹ + David all went to the Picture House + saw “The Woman Thou Gavest Me”¹⁰ + came back here + drank Barbara’s health on her 18^th birthday.

¹ Gordon Mary Nisbet née Wright (1874-1920), wife of John Nisbet, woollen millworker, died, aged 44, 11 Aug 1920 at Viewfield Nursing Home, usual residence 14 Yarrow Terrace, Selkirk, of uterine haemorrhage and fibroid tumour of the uterus, certified by D Charteris Graham M.B., Ch.B. Wright

² Mary Smith (c.1882-1920), daughter of James Smith, joiner, and Mary Smith née Carmichael died, aged 38, on 11 August 1920 at the Royal Infirmary Edinburgh, usual residence Scott’s Place, Selkirk; her cause of death was obstructive jaundice, stone in bile duct, gangrenous pancreatitis and exhaustion, certified by Henry Thomson M.B.

³ Not identified, in spite of extensive researches: the Editor would be pleased to receive information as to this individual’s identity

⁴ Helen Dobson née Hope (c.1859-1920), of Kirkwood, Forest Road, Selkirk

⁵ Walter Brown Robertson, soldier, was Tenant Occupier of a house and garden at 22 Curror Street, Selkirk [VR007900012]

⁶ David Nicholson Ingles (1888-1943), A.R.H.A., Selkirk born portrait artist

⁷ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

⁸ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996)

⁹ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk

¹⁰ ‘The Woman Thou Gavest Me’ was a novel by Hall Caine, 1913, filmed in 1919, directed by Hugh Ford (1868-1952) with with Katherine MacDonald (1891-1956), Milton Sills (1882-1930), Jack Holt (1888-1951) and Fritzi Brunette (1890-1943); the film was popular but “nothing remains of this film but some stills in the National Film Archive.”[13] [Sources here: Silent Hollywood ‘The Woman Thou Gavest Me’; Vivien Allen ‘Hall Caine: Portrait of a Victorian Romancer’, 1997, Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press, p. 371; IMDB.com and The Library of Congress Performing Arts Databases

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

A dull close day, almost thundery at times: no rain. News of flooding at Stockbridge + West Linton. The Lyne¹ had flooded which accounted for the flood on Tweed yesterday. I saw town cases walking in Forest Road, Glebe &c, Ettrickhaugh Road + back by riverside to Hospital. Gave Kelty² a dip in Ettrick. Attended Mrs Walt. Robertson, Curror Street, who had a s. [son]³. David [Graham] did a hysterectomy on Mrs Nisbet⁴ from Yarrow Terrace at the Home. Boyack⁵ helped. Mrs N. [Nisbet] nearly collapsed. D. [Graham] had great difficulty in securing the uterine arteries.

¹ The Lyne Water rises at East Cairn Hill in the Pentland Hills and runs south through West Linton and Romannobridge to debouch into the River Tweed below Hallyne, just west of Peebles

² Kelty was Dr Muir’s dog

³ Walter Brown Robertson (1920-2005), son of Walter Brown Robertson and Matilda Brodie Robertson née Jamieson; his parents had married 1911 at Selkirk [Marriage, 1911, 778/ 28 Selkirk and Valuation Roll, 1920, 778/ 93 Selkirk]

⁴ Gordon Mary Nisbet née Wright (c.1876-1920), wife of John Nisbet, woollen millworker

⁵ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least this one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

X

A nice day on the whole with some rain early + about 6. I was in the house all day + finished the accounts. I had to go over to Viewfield after dinner to Johnny Nicolson¹ who had retention. Dora [Muir] + Boyack² motored over to the Patons³ + returned by train at 6. Jack + Jock⁴ + a friend of the latter = Donald Rutherford looked in at night. Baptie⁵ noticed [River] Tweed in high flood while Ettrick was comparatively unaffected.

¹ John Nicholson (c.1858-1920), woollen mill foreman, retired, of 32 High Street, Selkirk

² Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

³ Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), sisters living on their own means

⁴ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966) and John ‘Jock’ (1904-1950), Dr Muir’s son-in-law and grandson

⁵ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir

X

Rained almost incessantly but very quietly: there was no wind to speak of. Saw 3 cases + went to forenoon service. Dav Boyack¹ went to Church with me in the morning + with Dora at night. The town was very quiet. Said goodbye to Mr Taylor², Viewfield, who leaves for Jamaica tomorrow. Wrote Jean + Helen [Muir].

¹ Miss Boyack was a friend of Dora’s who stayed with the Muirs from 3rd to 31st August 1920; perhaps they knew one another from wartime nursing (she went on a number of Dr Muir’s calls and assisted on at least one occasion) but she is otherwise unidentified

² Not identified at either Viewfield or Viewfield Place

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