Author: rumblingclint

Bonar Law resigned Premiership¹

Much better kind of day. Strong W.S.W. wind raising dust : not warm but plenty sunshine. Cycled round the town. Dav.² operated (local anaesthetic) for a small tumour in Mrs Dunn’s breast³ but I didn’t stay. Message to see Boylan⁴ Found with a slow hand pulse + drowsy. Spoke to him about Viewfield⁵ Isa Brydon, Netherbarns⁶ called to say good bye. She is leaving Netherbarns to live at 1 Darnaway Street, Edinburgh.⁷ Carlotta Rodger⁸ called to pay account. Saw Boylan a 2 time after dinner.

¹ Andrew Bonar Law (1858-1923), Conservative politician and Prime Minister October 1922 to May 1923, was diagnosed with terminal throat cancer and, no longer physically able to speak in Parliament, resigned on 20 May 1923.

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

³ Agnes Ralph Dunn née Waldie (1858-1926), daughter of Charles Waldie, woollen dyer, and Jane Waldie née Middlemass, born 1858 at Langholm or Staplegorton, Dumfriesshire, she married, 1887 at Earlston, Richard Hewat Dunn (about 1846-1899), woollen manufacturer.

⁴ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, of Shawpark, Selkirk, an acquaintance of Dr Muir who was present when Boylan had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.

⁵ In other words Dr Muir has suggested that his friend move to Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical co-partnership’s nursing home.

⁶ Isabella Thomasina ‘Isa’ Brydon (1868-1946) was recorded at Netherbarns, Galashiels (where she was born) in the 1911 Census, living with her father Adam Brydon (about 1836-1919), farmer. She did indeed make the move Dr Muir refers to (probably, at least in part, to be near her brother James Hastie Brydon at Rutland Street, Edinburgh) and the 1930 Valuation Roll for Edinburgh records Miss Isabella Brydon as proprietor occupier at 1 Darnaway Street [1930 Valuation Roll, VR010000619-/184, Edinburgh Burgh, page 184 of 218].

⁷ Darnaway Street, Stockbridge, near Moray Place.

⁸ Elizabeth Charlotte ‘Carlota’ Rodger (1884-1970), daughter of George Rodger, shipping merchant, and Elizabeth Charlotte Rodger née Eck. Born Cheshire, she was at Bridgelands, Selkirk, 1901 Census and was a wartime V.A.D. (Voluntary Aid Detachment) with over 1000 hours’ service, of Bridgelands [see ‘Selkirkshire V.A.D.s.’, the Southern Reporter, 6 April 1922].

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Wind S.W. but not genial. Very little to do. Have heard or seen nothing of David yesterday or today.¹ Walked to Hospital, Dunsdale Cottages, Mill Street + Backrow. I went to morning service. A clergyman from Stockton on Tees was preaching.² Barbara³ + Miss Wallace⁴ came to supper.

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner. By 1923 he was developing a habit of going missing.

² This preacher did not appear to have merited comment in the Southern Reporter.

³ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest grandchild, fairly recently returned from New Zealand.

⁴ Miss Wallace may be Miss Jane Wallace (1874-), sometime nurse to the Roberts children, Dr Muir’s grandchildren [see diary entries for 6 April 1915, 22 October 1916 and 7 April 1918 and 1911 Census]. She was born at Langbarns, Tongland, Kirkcudbrightshire. Neither Jane Wallace nor the Roberts family appear on the 1921 Census. The Editor’s suspicion is that a section of Ettrick Terrace has been missed off that Census transcript by ScotlandsPeople, because the Roberts family, in Selkirk at this time for the Common Riding, has not been documented (see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 17 June 1921, two days before Census night). However, the 1921 Census was delayed and by Sunday 19 June when it was finally taken, a good many people were on the move and as a result finding specific individuals in that year’s Census has proved challenging for researchers.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Not quite as cold + wind S.W. Some rain in afternoon + evening. Cycled to Cannon Street, Buccleuch Road, Mill Street, Hospital, Raeburn Meadows + walked to Shawpark.¹ Good many accounts being paid² Helen³, Barbara⁴ + Miss Wallace⁵ went to a performance of “Maritana” in the Victoria Hall.⁶

¹ Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, an acquaintance of Dr Muir who was present when Boylan had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.

² Thomas Baptie, Dr Muir’s driver and handyman, had been delivering the local accounts on 14 May 1923.

³ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), Dr Muir’s eldest grandchild, recently returned from New Zealand.

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

⁵ Miss Wallace may be Miss Jane Wallace (1874-), sometime nurse to the Roberts children, Dr Muir’s grandchildren [see diary entries for 6 April 1915, 22 October 1916 and 7 April 1918 and 1911 Census]. She was born at Langbarns, Tongland, Kirkcudbrightshire. Neither Jane Wallace nor the Roberts family appear on the 1921 Census. The Editor’s suspicion is that a section of Ettrick Terrace has been missed off the 1921 Census transcript by ScotlandsPeople, because the Roberts family, in Selkirk at this time for the Common Riding, has not been documented (see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 17 June 1921, two days before Census night).

⁶ Maritana, A Grand Opera in Three Acts by William Vincent Wallace, was toured extensively in Scotland during 1923 by the Carl Rosa Opera Company.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Cold + dull + wet in afternoon from N.W. Gave the child Harvey, Goslaw Green¹ chlor[oform] + extracted a molar which Dav.² had broken. Cycled via Hospital + Mill Street + General’s Bridge to Newburgh.³ Jas. Mitchell⁴ sent for Dav. a few days ago because he didn’t like to bring me out during the night! Then I went on to Ettrickhill + Craighill.⁵ Got fine drink of creamy milk from Grace.⁶ They are starting to drain the swampy meadow between the Ettrick + Tima.⁷ It rained all the way home. My run was over 40 miles. Helen⁸ was at Gilmanscleuch.⁹ Took high tea at 5. Called a meeting of cyclists in Isa Fair’s room.¹⁰ Mrs Kemp¹¹ + her men [?] turned up. Arranged for a cycle run on 31^st.

¹ The child Harvey at Goslaw Green, Selkirk, is unidentified.

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

³ Newburgh, between Gilmanscleuch and Tushielaw, grid reference NGR NT323,200.

⁴ Assume James Mitchell senior (about 1854-1929), farmer and tenant at Henderland Farm, Megget parish, north of St Mary’s Loch. For more detail see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 12 May 1923.

⁵ Craighill and Ettrickhill, Ettrick, both area of grid reference NT262,145.

⁶ Assume Grace Linton Anderson née Davidson (1894-1963), second wife of John Laidlaw Anderson, shepherd, of Craighill, Ettrick. They had married 1919 at Ettrick.

⁷ There is a substantial area shown as marshy on the south west corner where the Tima Water joins the Ettrick Water, area of grid reference NGR NT271,142, see Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XVIII, surveyed 1858, published 1862.

⁸ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and housekeeper.

⁹ It is not obvious whom Helen was visiting, perhaps either the Linton or Storrie families or Miss Lizzie Elliot, teacher.

¹⁰ The Editor assumes that Isa Fair is Isabella McHull or McCaull Fair (1862-1941), who was recorded with her sister Wilhelmina Fair at 26 High Street, Selkirk (1921 Census) but it is not obvious why the cyclists held their meeting about Bicycle Week at hers (see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 14 May 1923).

¹¹ Mrs Kemp cannot be identified from this information.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Clear bright morning + a fair amount of sunshine during the day but a most biting N. to N.W. wind more like December than May. Walked to Hospital, Mill Street + Buccleuch Road + some cases in Backrow +c. Went to meeting of Panel Committee¹ in Railway Hotel.² All the Gala men but Henderson there³, also Menzies⁴ + Hiddleston.⁵ Dav.⁶ asked me to go to Broadmeadows to see John Scott⁷ + I cycled up + back an hour ten minutes including the call.

¹ The local panel of the British Medical Association.

² The Railway Hotel Dr Muir is referring to is the Station Hotel, Station Road, Selkirk, Canmore ID 100365 and grid reference NGR NT46663,28769 (still standing).

³ The medical practitioners at Galashiels at this time were Edward Munro Tyrrell (1864-1940), James William Somerville (1866-1934), Kenneth McLay (1889-1964), William Andrew Weatherhead (1893-1962) and Percy James Henderson (1871-1935), but not Percy Syme Henderson (1900-1978), Percy’s son, who qualified M.B., Ch.B. Edin. in 1924 and returned to Galashiels thereafter, nor William Doig (1859-1922) who had died six months before.

⁴ James Morris Menzies (1871-1926), M.B., Ch.M., M.D., medical practitioner, of Ettrick Lodge, Selkirk.

⁵ John Murray Hiddleston (1891-1954), L.R.C.P.S., L.R.F.P.S., medical practitioner.

⁶ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

⁷ John B Scott, Inhabitant Occupier of a house at Broadmeadows, Selkirk, 1922 VR011700009-, but otherwise so far unidentified.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Still very cold. Wind N. Dry here but hail + rain up the valleys. Rivers very full. David¹ had an operation at 11 a.m., an osteo sarcoma of iliac crest in a Mrs Simpson of Earlston.² This kept us till 1. After lunch motored to Henderland + found Mitchell³ keeping much better. White Coombe⁴ merited its name! When I got back at 4.40 I found that Dav. had wanted [?] me at the Home for a Caesarean Section but when I went over I found he had managed with long forceps.

Letter from Dora⁵ dated 6^th

¹ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

² Mrs Simpson is so far unidentified.

³ Assume James Mitchell senior (about 1854-1929), farmer and tenant at Henderland Farm, Megget parish, north of St Mary’s Loch. For more detail see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 12 May 1923.

⁴ White Coomb, Megget, above the Grey Mare’s Tail, 821 metres (prominence 374 metres), grid reference NT163,150, would have been visible to Dr Muir’s south west from the St Mary’s Loch area.

⁵ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, was living and working in Egypt.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Bright morning. Showery : cold. S.W. Wetter in afternoon + heavy hail showers. Saw 15 cases cycling+ was not out after lunch except to see Mrs Gibbons, Backfeus.¹ Helen² busy spring cleaning Hall + Staircase.

¹ Ann Gibbons née Morran, sometimes Moran, Morraine or similar (about 1851-1939), was recorded in the 1921 Census living at Backfeus, Selkirk, with her husband John Gibbons (about 1844-1932) and four children David (1881-), Agnes (1889-), John (1890-) and Jean or Jane (1893-). John Gibbons senior was from County Mayo, Ireland and he and Ann had married 29 June 1869 at Galashiels and appear to have had other children (by 1923 presumably living elsewhere – searches suggest that there is no reason to think any of them had died) including Mary (1870-), Bridget (1872-), Helen (1874-), Agnes (1887-), Catherine ‘Kate’ (1878-), Margaret ‘Maggie’ (1883-), Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ (1885-) and Sarah (1889-).

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Wethered¹ amateur champion² beat Harris³

Wind round to S.W. but no warmer. Cycled straight away to Henderland.⁴ Took 2h 17½ in going up against the wind + 1h 20 coming back. There was a heavy shower at the Loch + I stopped 14m at Dryhope Bridge⁵. I rode all the hills. Saw Mitchell improving. Baptie⁶ delivering accounts. Stamped all the County ones + posted them.⁷ It was very wet after 4 + rained all evening. Put an advertisement in the Reporter⁸ calling a meeting of cyclists on Friday in connection with Bicycle Week.⁹

¹ Roger Henry Wethered (1899-1983), English amateur golfer.

² At the 34th Amateur Championship at Royal Cinque Ports Golf Club, Deal, Kent, Roger Wethered (England) beat Robert Harris (Scotland) 7 and 6 in the final.

³ Robert Harris (1882-1959), Scottish amateur golfer. The runner-up at Cinque Ports, he went on to win the 1925 Amateur Championship at the Royal North Devon Golf Club.

⁴ Henderland, Megget parish, north of St Mary’s Loch, where Dr Muir has been seeing a patient named James Mitchell (the Editor assumes James Mitchell senior (about 1854-1929), farmer and tenant at Henderland Farm ). For more detail see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 12 May 1923.

⁵ The Editor guesses that, before continuing along St Mary’s Loch, Dr Muir sheltered at the unnamed bridge at grid reference NGR NT271,243 just below Dryhope, see Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XIV.NW, revised 1897, published 1900.

⁶ Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.

⁷ The Muir and Graham medical co-partnership routinely delivered local post and sent the County communications via the Royal Mail.

⁸ The Southern Reporter.

⁹ In 1923, the first week of May was “Bicycle Week.” This was the seventh edition of the annual trade celebration, see Salem Breakfast on Bikes Tuesday, May 2, 2023 ‘Bicycle Week in 1923 Lower Energy than in Previous Years’]. There is a short film of the event here: National Bicycle Week (1923).

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Helen + I were at morning service. Before it I walked down to the Hospital + to 4 cases in town. We lunched at Elmpark + Mrs Mack¹ came to supper bringing as usual gifts in the shape of a bottle of Port + 2 pair of socks!² I wrote a long letter to Dora³ + arranged all the accounts (which David⁴ has made out) for distribution + posting. It was a coldish day with showers + sunshine.

¹ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk.

² Mrs Mack was famous for her generosity, so much that Dr Muir used to call her house the Magic Cave.

³ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, was living and working in Egypt.

⁴ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]

Dry day with strong keen N.W. wind till 5.10 when there was a snow + hail blizzard. It was cloudless at night. Cycled to Hospital, Mill Street, Cannon Street + then right up to Henderland. It was a very stiff ride + took 2 hours 35 minutes but I came back in 1 hour 22 minutes. Jas. Mitchell¹ is feverish at night : last night 101.4. Collided at Mauldsheugh gate with Willie² who cycled out. No damage. Saw Boylan³ in evening.

¹ The Editor assumes that this refers to James Mitchell senior (about 1854-1929), farmer and tenant at Henderland Farm, Megget parish. Dr Muir had been attending the Mitchell family at Henderland, Megget, north of St Mary’s Loch, since late 1921. In the 1921 Census the family comprised James Mitchell senior aged 67, James Mitchell junior, 35, Mary Richardson Mitchell, 33, Eliza Dalgleish Mitchell, 25, and Isabella Shiel Mitchell, 26.

² Assume William ‘Willie’ Johnstone (1902-1971) who was recorded as a servant to David C Graham at Mauldsheugh, Selkirk, 1921 Census. The son of William Johnstone, woodman, and Margaret Johnstone née Hunter, married 1899 at Legerwood, William was born at Linthaugh, Jedburgh. He was later a bus driver.

³ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, of Shawpark, Selkirk, an acquaintance of Dr Muir who was present when Boylan had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]