Weather the same. Dry, sunny + a sharp S.W. wind: cloudier at night. I had a good deal to do + took the motor. I first walked to. Havel Place, Oakhurst, Heathpark + Tait’s Hill + then motored via Forest Road + Yarrow Terrace to Ettrickhaugh Cottages, Philiphaugh Cottages, Beechwood, Philiphaugh + Oakwood + after lunch to Briarbank, Whitmuirhall (where I saw Chas. Dunlop¹) + Lilliesleaf. Helen² had supper at Viewfield³. She + Bella⁴ were busy cleaning the drawingroom. Nancy⁵ came home today + looked me up at night. She has had some grand walks in the Cumberland Hills.

¹ Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922), merchant, of Whitmuirhall, Selkirk

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

³ Viewfield was the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s new (opened 4 June 1920) surgery and cottage hospital

⁴ Isabella ‘Bella’ Paulin (1873-?1952), Dr Muir’s housekeeper

⁵ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Another fine sunny but sharp day. Heavy hail + rain shower at 5. David¹ went back to Edin. this morning early + did not go to Peelburnfoot as he intended after dressing And. Inglis² + seeing others I cycled there. It was … in …. Called also for Mich. Glendinning³. Paid my Feu Duty + Fire Insur[ance]. Found the lost Bank book of the firm in my bag! Got Income tax return for firm + self adjusted + sent off. News of the murder in Ireland of Mrs Steel’s brother Capt. Cornwallis⁴.

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

² Andrew Inglis of Tait’s Hill, Selkirk had been operated on the day before by Dr Graham with Dr Muir’s assistance, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 16 May 1921

³ Michael Glendinning (d.1922), retired farmer and by 1920 the tenant occupier of a house and garden at Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot parish; he was formerly the tenant at Williamhope and was widower of Euphemia Riddle

⁴ Captain Fiennes Wykeham Mann Cornwallis (1890-1921), a Croix de Guerre, M.C., was killed by the Irish Republican Army at the Ballyturin House Ambush, Gort, County Galway during the Irish War of Independence; he was the brother of the Hon. Vere Mabel Strang Steel née Cornwallis (1889-1964), second wife of Samuel ‘Sam’ Strang Steel (1882-1961), 1st Baronet, M.P., J.P., T.D., Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk 1948-1958

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Rowan coming into flower

Fine dry sunny day but with a sharp W to SW wind: a good deal of dust flying. Was not out of town. Assisted Dav. to operate on And. Inglis¹, Tait’s Hill for fistula. Inglis absolutely refused Chlor[oform] + never winced. Mrs Herbertson² was there. Wrote Jean³ + Dora⁴. The latter has got a very good post as companion to a Mrs Ritchie. Poor Jean writes in very low spirits about Pike⁵. Replied to cheer her up. David⁶ came up late + we [illegible] about Income Tax return.

¹ William Ingles, mason, had a house and garden at Tait’s Hill, Selkirk; presumably Andrew was part of his family [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/143, Selkirk Burgh, page 143 of 644

² Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter

³ Mrs Herbertson of Galashiels was a trained nurse, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 14 December 1915

⁴ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁵ Frederick Charles Pike (1883-1921), theatrical agent, married Dr Muir’s daughter Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir in 1920 but was very ill by early 1921

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

It was a perfect summer morning when I was knocked up at 6 to attend Mrs A Taylor¹, Halliday’s Park. Came back, dressed + breakfasted + got her over easily at 9. Saw a few town cases + cycled to Oakwood. Stopped opposite Scaurhead + walked up a little folly² + had a smoke. Atmosphere very clear + the view over to Bowhill + doesn’t to the Eildons was fine. Read in the garden after tea + went to evening service. No messages but Mrs Taylor.

¹ Mary Neil Taylor (1921-1991), born 15 May 1921, at 9 Halliday’s Park, Selkirk, daughter of Allan Taylor, master plumber, and Mary Moffat Taylor née Murray who had married 1913 at Heatherlie Manse [birth, 1991, 778/ 52, Selkirk, marriage, 1913, 778/ 18]

² The Editor assumes this must be Oakwood Tower (now Aikwood Tower), the Medieval Tower House (Canmore ID 54303) adjacent to Oakwood at grid reference NGR NT 4201260; it is SSE of Castle Hill and, unless Dr Muir has taken a very long route up to the Tower, stretches the meaning of ‘opposite’ but there appears to be no alternative

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Dull day with occasional drizzle but fair in evening. Coldish WNW. Cycled in town Curror Street, Dunsdale, Oakwood, Bluecairn, Philiphaugh Stables, Beechwood + in afternoon cycled down to Melrose + saw Miss Dunn¹ who is staying with her old nurse Miss Galbraith² at the Waverley Temp[erance] Hotel³. Her cousin Miss Crawford⁴ who died recently has left her £300. David⁵ has heard that his weekend leaves are to be discontinued.

¹ Hyndmer Rutherford ‘Miss’ Dunn (about 1843-1922), daughter of John Dunn, chemist & druggist, and Hyndmer Rutherford Dunn née Hewat, brother of Thomas ‘Tom’ Dunn (about 1844-1921); Tenant Occupier of a house at 13 High Street, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/113, Selkirk Burgh, page 113 of 644]

² Not identified

³ The Waverley Temperance Hotel, Channel Street / Market Square, Galashiels

⁴ Not identified

⁵ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner had been staying away for periods of time as part of a mobilisation that stretched back to the time of the miners’ lockout and ‘Black Friday’ 15 April 1921

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

David looked in. The poor chap had to go to Caverslee¹ [sic] late at night.

Delightful day. Went to see Miss Dunn² at Melrose + take a run after but was kept till after 2 by Mrs Malkin (Jean Christy) who had her 3^rd, a fine boy³. Saw town cases walking + cycling. Wrote Jean⁴ proposing getting a girl here to help her. Mrs [illegible] called about her father⁵. Dav.⁶ is to see him.

¹ Caverslea, Kirkhope

² Hyndmer Rutherford ‘Miss’ Dunn (about 1843-1922), daughter of John Dunn, chemist & druggist, and Hyndmer Rutherford Dunn née Hewat, brother of Thomas ‘Tom’ Dunn (about 1844-1921); Tenant Occupier of a house at 13 High Street, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/113, Selkirk Burgh, page 113 of 644]

³ Frank Malkin (1921-2005), born 13 May 1921 at 21 Market Place, Selkirk; he was the son of Joseph Frank Malkin, motor mechanic, and Jeannie Clark Malkin née Christie who had married 14 October 1916 at Selkirk [birth, 1921, 778/ 53, Selkirk and parents’ marriage 1916, 778/ 19, Selkirk]

⁴ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter

⁵ Not identified

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Raining last night but fair all day: pleasant + warm: roads sticky. Motored in town + to Beechwood, Philiphaugh Stables + Oakwood. Cycled down to Curror Street to see Mrs James Cockburn¹. Did town book work. Had smoke at the bower. Wade² came by motor (a new, nice little Calcott³) at 6.20. Gave him some tea. He lectured in Union Hall on his experiences in Egypt, Syria + Palestine: fair audience. Smith in chair. Collec. (taken during an interval) £4 5 0. We had supper after to which Barbara⁴ came + David⁵ looked in. He, poor chap, had to go to Crosslee late at night.

¹ Mrs Cockburn is not yet identified

² This may well be Henry Wade (1876-1955), surgeon, scientist and soldier; a medical student at Edinburgh, he subsequently worked at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh but also saw two periods of military service, in the Boer War and (as Captain to the Scottish Horse Mounted Brigade) in the Dardanelles, Egypt and Syria campaigns during the First World War [Dugald Gardner (2005), ‘Surgeon, Scientist, Soldier – The life and times of Henry Wade 1876-1955’, Royal Society of Medicine Press]

³ Calcott or Calcott Brothers Ltd. ran a car factory in their old bicycle works at Far Gosford Street, Coventry from 1913 until 1926 when, having produced about 2,500 cars, they were taken over by Singer [http://www.britishmm.co.uk/history.asp?id=183 – archived]

⁴ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996)

⁵ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A warmer day + very pleasant. S.E. to S. [wind], a little rain later at night. Was out by 9.45 + cycled to in town + to Philip^H Stables + Oakwood + afterwards across to Mavisbank, Lilliesleaf + Riddell Lodge. Made 17 town calls + 8 county visits + cycled about 29 miles. H + D¹ dined at Elmpark. Barbara² also there. Got long letter from Willie Rodger³. Pike⁴ ‘Phoned me that he is going to Colinton Sanatorium. I don’t know how Jean⁵ will manage by herself.

¹ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), Dr Muir’s third and youngest daughters

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

³ William Brydone ‘Willie’ Rodger (1880-1959), son of George Rodger (about 1843-1885), solicitor, and Isabella Margaret or Maggie Rodger née Brydone; born 27 December 1880, Selkirk, he was later a stockbroker and was at Sevenoaks, Kent in the 1911 Census

⁴ Frederick Charles Pike (1883-1921), theatrical agent; he had married Dr Muir’s daughter Jean Muir only in 1920 and much to Dr Muir’s disapproval, at Newington, Edinburgh

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

A pretty good day with much sunshine but still cold. S.W. wind. Was called up at 4.30 a.m. to attend Mrs Ewart, Ettrickhaugh Road who had a d. [daughter¹] before I arrived. Got home at 6 but didn’t go to bed. Breakfasted at 7.30. Saw some town cases + motored to Oakwood, Crosslee, Craighill, Beechwood, Ettrickhaugh Road, Muthag Street +c getting back at 2.15. Was not out again till 7 when I saw Mary Dobson² – sinking – + old Fell³ at Viewfield. Helen⁴ had signalling practice in the Park. Got 24 gulls eggs from Mrs Mack⁵.

¹ Margaret Mary Ewart, born 10 May 1921, daughter of Thomas Ewart, maintenance engineer, and Annie Ewart née Cruickshank; later married Robert Howie Fulton, fireman [birth 1921, 778/ 45, Selkirk and death 1969, 775/ 175, Galashiels]

² Mary Rodger née Dobson (1880-1921), died 11 May 1921, at Elm Row, Selkirk, usual residence 43 Tower Street, aged 41, of “Medullary Cancer in Axilla and breast 6 months”, death certified by John S Muir M.B. +c; the daughter of John Davidson, dye house labourer, and Mary Dobson nee Davidson she was married to Andrew Rodger, woollen millman

³ Assume Thomas Fell (about 1857-1923), retired gamekeeper, who was to die, aged 76, of “senile decay” in 1923; married to Jane Ismay, they lived at Bewlie Mains Cottages

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

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

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]

Still coldish + there had been a little rain but it was fair all day with a dry S.W. wind. Dust flying on Gala Road. Cycled round town + to Beechwood + Philiphaugh Stables in forenoon + to Faldonside in afternoon. Had to go down to Craigview after evening Consultation to see a boy of Willie Johnston¹ who had cut his leg. David² had a busy day just up Ettrick + then to Yair +c. Helen³ went to the Picture House with Barbara⁴.

¹ William R Johnston, mill manager, was Proprietor Occupier of a house ‘Craigview’ 5 Raeburn Place, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Rolls, VR007900012-/188, Selkirk Burgh, page 188 of 644]

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

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁴ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/24, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1921]