Author: rumblingclint

A old N.W. gale + severe snow blasts with bright intervals: Breakfasted at 7.13 + left at 8.30 motoring to Curror Street Bleachfield Road, Fairnilee East Lodge, Yair (Dubs¹ much better), Yair Farm (Ormiston²), Bogle House + caught the 10.19 at Clovenfords. Was very late of course for the Panel Com^ttee Conference at N.B. [North British] Hotel which commenced at 10.30. Moved the resolution in name of Selkirkshire re the notice of going away for a month [illegible] by a week [?] but withdrew it. Lunched at the hotel with Easterbrook. After the meeting went to Picture House + came out by the 6.5. with Stewart Alexander³. There had not been anything wanted.

¹ Frank Albert or F A Dubs (1860-1920), engineer and locomotive builder, later of ‘private means’ with nine servants [source: 1911 census]; born Anderston, Glasgow but retired 1902 and latterly staying at Yair

² See also diary entry for 12 February 1920

³ Not identified

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

A very rough day with torrential rain in the morning and a N.W. gale at night. Ettrick in top flood. Got out pretty sharp + saw town cases + then motored to Dunsdale, Yair, Bogle House (where I failed to pass the stomach tube of Peter Peden¹) + Bowhill. Saw one or two more after lunch in town. Wrote some letters to Jean, Dora, Guy² + Agnes Durnford. Went back to Yair at night. Dubs³ pretty weak.

¹ Peter Peden, labourer, was at the Bogle House, Fairnilee, Caddonfoot, 1920 Valuation Roll

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

³ Frank Albert or F A Dubs (1860-1920), engineer and locomotive builder, later of ‘private means’ with nine servants [source: 1911 census]; born Anderston, Glasgow but retired 1902 and latterly staying at Yair

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

A fresh day + a strong Sou’ Wester with heavy blasts of rain with one or two blinks of sunshine. Message to Beechwood, Bogle House + Caddonlee for all of which I motored. Wrote Sarah Twentyman¹ + the Patons (who sent me “The Way of an Eagle” by Ethel M Dell²). Helen + I had tea at Elmpark with Mrs Mack, Lady Belhaven + Lady Napier³.

¹ Sarah Twentyman (1877-1963) – see diary entry for 4 February 1920

² Ethel May Dell Savage (1881-1939) known as Ethel M Dell, British writer, her first book ‘The Way of an Eagle’ was published in 1911 and went through dozens of printings; it was not Dr Muir’s first Ethel M Dell novel, he previously noted reading ‘The Rocks of Valpré’, 1914

³ Agnes Mackintosh, née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, her sister Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), Lady Belhaven and Stenton and her niece Clarice Jessie Evelyn Napier née Hamilton (1881-1951), Lady Napier

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

A much duller day than yesterday. It was our Communion but I was prevented from getting to either service by Mrs Malkin (Jeannie Christy) who, after hanging on all day, had a S. [son] at 5.40¹. I gave chlor[oform] to Maggie Warwick whom D. [Dr David Graham, co-partner] curetted at the Home + saw a few town cases. Jack, Nancy + Johnny Ingles² (who was hunting yesterday) came for supper. Yesterday the ground remained hard in the shade but today the frost quite disappeared.

¹ Cyril John Leslie Malkin, born 8 February 1920 at 23 Market Place, Selkirk, son of Jeannie Clark Malkin née Christie and Joseph Malkin, motor mechanic; the parents had married 14 October 1916 at St John’s Episcopal Church, Selkirk

² This is conceivably John Ingles, designer, noted as Proprietor of a house at Kirkwynd, Selkirk but also an address at Ravensthorpe, Dewsbury [Valuation Roll, 1919]; details: John Ingles (1861-1929), woollen mill designer, son of Walter Ingles, shoemaker, and Mary Ingles née Scott, and married to Alice Scott

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

My 75th Birthday which finds me in good health: sound in wind + limb + fit for my work. My only disability is some impairment of my hearing which however does not however + fortunately interfere with auscultation¹. Well may I say with a thankful heart “Surely goodness + mercy have followed me all the days of my life”. I had presents from Mrs Mackintosh², Jean, Helen³ + the Patons⁴, a card from Agnes Durnford⁵ + letter from Guy + Mary⁶. It was a lovely day + after motoring to Yair I went out to the Gala Rigg + with Nancy, Helen + Fairy⁷ [?] saw a lot of the hunting from Whitmuirhall. I was out from 11.15 till 4 + did a lot of running. The hunt went to Haining, Deepslade⁸, [?], Riddell, Shawburn, Curling, Prieston [?], Clarilaw Moor + Whitmuir.

¹ Auscultation (Latin auscultare) listening to the sounds of the body during a physical examination

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

³ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941) and Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), two of Dr Muir’s daughters

⁴ Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (about 1838-1929) and Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940), sisters living on their own means [1901 Census] and at Galashiels from 1918

⁵ Agnes Watson Durnford née Harper (1888-1976), daughter of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, Sheriff Substitute of Selkirkshire, and Agnes Harper née Watson (Mrs Mackintosh), a Red Cross V.A.D. and holder of Red or White Stripe [‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s.’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922], she had married in 1918

⁶ Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir (1846-1927) and Mary Jane Wallace née Muir (1836-1933), Dr Muir’s brother and sister

⁷ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s daughter, Helen footnoted above and, if the reading is correct, Fairy is unidentified (Dr Muir’s acquaintance Euphemia Cranston ‘Fairy’ Roberts née Greenwood having died in 1916)

⁸ The locations are, by and large, ones south and east of Selkirk and familiar to Dr Muir followers, the possible exception being Deepslaids, approximate grid reference NGR NT485,268

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

Dull sunless day: a little frost in morning but soft after. Roads good in places but sticky in others. Cycled to Ettrickvale Mill, , Yair, Hospital, Goslaw Green + after tea went round with communion cards + voting papers (cups) [?]. Lady Belhaven¹ sent me a present of 4 bottles port + 2 of Whiskey [sic]. Helen paid the books + accounts. Minnie Brown² came down at 8 + ‘phoned Mrs Scott Plummer³ about the meeting of Red Cross Comm^ttee. Geo Roberts + Co⁴ have given £1000 for the War Memorial.

¹ The Hon. Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), Lady Belhaven and Stenton

² Minnie Mackay Brown (1874-1966), teacher and V.A.D. nurse who served in Egypt and France 1916-1919

³ Muriel Grace Scott Plummer née Johnstone-Douglas (1874-1961), of Sunderland Hall

⁴ George Roberts and Co. (about 1840-1973), woollen manufacturer, Selkirk

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

On Saturday got payment of John Hume’s (Lilliesleaf) 1915 account amounting to £10. 8. 6. Saw Agnes (who came in with the money) 12/- for a marriage present. Yesterday the back wheel of my bicycle was very stiff + Baptie discovered a huge accumulation of mud inside the [mud-]guard which acted like a brake.

Another lovely day but with some cloud in the morning. A tough of frost too + the roads good before the sun touched them + in the shade. Gave the epileptic boy Turnbull chlor[oform] and extracted 3 teeth. Cycled to Tre… Crescent, Goslaw Green, Ashybank, Newark Mill, Bowhill, Carterhaugh + Oakwoodmill. Went to meeting of St Andrews Comm^ttee at [illegible]. Besides myself there were only Johnstone + Carnegie². Arranged to deliver [?] a circular re the motor ambulance. Helen + Nancy³ had a walk + tea at Thornfield⁴. Jack⁵ looked in at night about his elbow.

¹ Assume John Hume, draper, at Thorncroft, Lillieleaf, 1915 Valuation Roll

² David Carnegie Alexander, ‘Carnegie Alexander’ or ‘D.C.A.’ (1856-1928), solicitor

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), two of Dr Muir’s daughters

⁴ Thornfield, Scott’s Place, home of Charles Henry Roberts, manufacturer [1920 Valuation Roll]

⁵ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966), Dr Muir’s son-in-law, mill owner and Provost of Selkirk, later knighted “for political and public services in Selkirk”

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

Colder but a fine sharp sunny day + the roads drying again. I was nearly 3 hours at the Home. First Mrs Mackie appendectomy: then a girl Waldie with a cyst in the neck + lastly Nelly Turnbull for curetting. Cycled there + then back to town + down to Sunderland Hall. Did not get tea till 3.20, then dressed John Brydon. Rob^t Douglas¹ the retired baker died this morning. Helen + Nancy went to the Peat Law for Sphagnum [Moss]. Baptie took the nurse from Mauldsheugh to Crosslee to Mrs Short whom David had curetted Saturday. Letter from Sarah Twentyman announcing her marriage engagement.

¹ Robert Douglas, master baker, retired, died 4 February 1920, aged 82, at ‘Claremont’, Hillside Terrace, Selkirk; he was the son of William Douglas, flour miller, and Janet Douglas nee Davidson and was widower of Isabella Renwick

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

³ It is not clear what Sarah Twentyman’s connection is with Selkirk or with Dr Muir (though it may become clear in time when the Editor tackles the pre-1914 diaries): Sarah Swinburn Twentyman was born June Quarter 1877, West Derby [Lancashire] Registration District (8b 356), she married, June Quarter 1920, Cockermouth Registration District (10b 1681), Nicholas Stick. She died, aged 86, December Quarter 1963, Lancaster Registration District (10C 530) and is buried at St Paul Church burial ground, Rusland, Lancashire [https://www.gravestonephotos.com/public/gravedetails.php?grave=143013] alongside Nicholas, died 1945, aged 77, at Ulverston, Lancashire and what appears to be her mother Annie Sarah Twentyman née Drinkwater, died 1924, aged 75, also at Ulverston

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

The gale lessened this morning + subsided by the afternoon when the rain also ceased. The curious feature of the weather has been a WSW gale + rain with a high barometer. David being home I had less to do + saw 5 town cases. Wrote Stewart¹ whose 12th birthday is tomorrow. Called at Elmpark for Agnes² who goes to Edinburgh tomorrow for her confinement. Durnford³ is with her. Helen⁴ was down at Lauriston for tea. Yesterday I had letters from Sandy McClure⁵, Dora⁶ + Patrick⁷ the letters dated Nov. 23.

¹ Stewart Muir Roberts (1908-2003), Dr Muir’s grandson

² Agnes Watson Durnford née Harper (1888-1976), daughter of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, Sheriff Substitute of Selkirkshire, and Agnes Harper née Watson (Mrs Mackintosh); later a Red Cross VAD holder of Red or White Stripe [‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s.’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922], she married, 2 July 1918, at Mayfield United Free Church, Newington, Edinburgh, Major Norman Stanley M Durnford (1889-1965), Army Service Corps, of Stoke Bishop, Bristol

³ Norman Stanley M Durnford (1889-1965), Army Officer, later businessman, of Stoke Bishop, Bristol

⁴ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and his housekeeper

⁵ Alexander Logan ‘Sandy’ McClure (1860-1932), advocate, whose mother was a Logan as was Dr Muir’s mother

⁶ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

⁷ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

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

The gale continued all night + all day but without rain till after dark when there was some drizzle. Consequently the roads dried a bit. I saw 4 town cases (including John Brydon¹ whose arm needs dressing) + then motored to Ashybank, Sunderland Hall, … Called for Nancy²: passed by at Forest Mill + attended meeting of Panel Committee at Railway Hotel. Called for David³ who came home this afternoon + had a crowd at night. Mrs Mack + Lady B.⁴ motored me up from Mauldsheugh + the former with her usual generosity gave me a cream cheese + a pot of Patum Peperium⁵. Helen [Muir] had Cath + Helen Smith⁶ for supper + then they all went to ‘Peg O’ My Heart’⁷.

¹ There was a John Brydon, joiner, aged 44 at Elm Row, Selkirk in the 1911 Census

² Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

³ Dr David Graham, Dr Muir’s co-partner, had been at the Lashow Motor Show

⁴ Agnes Mackintosh, née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk and, presumably, the Hon. Georgina Hamilton née Watson (1856-1940), Lady Belhaven and Stenton

⁵ Patum Peperium or the Gentleman’s Relish is an anchovy paste in a distinctive small lidded pot

⁶ Catherine Adam ‘Katie’ Smith (1874-1929) and Helen Mary Locke Smith (1878-1958), daughters of Thomas Smith, tweed manufacturer, and Katie Smith née Locke (about 1854-1934)

⁷ ‘Peg o’ My Heart’ (1912), a comedy play written by J Hartley Manners aka John Hartley Manners (1870-1928), London-born playwright; it had three film adaptations, one (1919) directed by William Churchill DeMille never released, the others by King Vidor (1922) and Robert Zigler Leonard (1931), the latter starring Marion Cecilia Davies (1897-1961), American film actress, producer, screenwriter, philanthropist and mistress of William Randolph Hearst

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