A fair + sunny day but cold S.W. [wind]. Went to morning service after walking to see Nan Rodger¹, The Green, Cockburn², Dunsdale + Scott³, Sloethornbank. The quietest day I have had since Dav.⁴ was called up, he being at home. Went to evening service where a Missionary from W Africa spoke of the Missionary work on the Gold Coast +c. He was a very poor speaker + I missed a good deal of what he said. Mrs Mackintosh⁵ + Barbara⁶ came to supper. The latter is alone with Tim⁷ as Jack⁸ is in London + Nancy⁹ has taken Louise¹⁰ back to school.

¹ Nan Rodger is not identified but John Rodger, innkeeper, was tenant at No. 3, The Green [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/208, Selkirk Burgh, page 208 of 644]

² William Cockburn, mill worker, was tenant of a house at Dunsdalehaugh, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/192, Selkirk Burgh, page 192 of 644]

³ There were two people called Scott at Sloethorn Bank, Selkirk – Miss Lizzie Scott, weaver and Thomas Scott, millworker – but Dr Muir tends to identify women as Miss or Mrs so it is more likely that Dr Muir is referring to the latter in this diary entry

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

⁵ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), a close friend of Dr Muir

⁶ Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996)

⁷ George Edward ‘Tim’ Roberts (1911-2005), Dr Muir’s grandson

⁸ John Roberts junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966), Dr Muir’s son-in-law

⁹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter

¹⁰ Louisa Jane ‘Louise’ Roberts, later Rutherford (1906-1982), Dr Muir’s granddaughter, was at a school at Bampton in Cumberland

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

Dull wet morning but cleared up to be a nice sunny day: not warm but pleasant S.W. [wind]. Was called up at 5.45 for Mrs Hunter (Maggie Welsh) who has come from London to be confined. Did not get her over till 11.45¹. It was an R.O.A.² and fearfully stiff with a big tear. Spent the rest of the day at Viewfield³ where D.⁴ operated on Miss Kirkpatrick⁵ (before I arrived) then on Thomson⁶ (Charlie Roberts’ chauffeur) for appendicitis: then a boy Ford⁷, Elmrow (hernia + circum) + then on old Fell⁸ for enlarged prostate which was not there although both D. + I had previously felt it. He got Novocain intraspinally without any effect + had to get chlor[oform].

¹ Margaret Campbell Hunter, born 7 May 1921 at 47 High Street, Selkirk; she was the daughter of James Pherson Hunter, woollen traveller, and Margaret Campbell Hunter née Welsh, married 9 October 1919 at the Sheriff Court House, St Giles, Edinburgh when he was 30 and she 31; at that time he was a commercial traveler living at Bloemfontein Road, Shepherd’s Bush and she was a schoolteacher teacher of 44 High Street, Selkirk – his father was born in Scotland and worked as a “Cashier, woolen” [Sources: 1901 Census, RG13/42/6/4/21; and births 1921, 778/ 49, Selkirk and 1919, 685/4 1719, St Giles]

² Right Occiput Anterior

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

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

⁵ Lilias (or Lillias) Mary Kirkpatrick (1866-1950), sister of Roger Sandilands Kirkpatrick (1859-1943), M.A. (Edin.), Church of Scotland minister at Yarrow 1912 onwards

⁶ Assume John Thomson, chauffeur, Inhabitant Occupier not rated of a house and garden Kirkbank Cottage, Forest Road, Selkirk [1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/162, Selkirk Burgh, page 162 of 644]

⁷ James Alexander ‘Alex’ Ford (1918-), son of Robert Purves Ford, railway clerk, and Annie Ford née Brown; Robert Purvis Ford, goods clerk, was tenant of a house and garden at Elm Row, Selkirk in 1921 (Statutory registers Births 778/ 53) and 1921 Valuation Roll, VR007900012-/133, Selkirk Burgh, page 133 of 644]

⁸ 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

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

A dull Misty day, raining almost constantly but calm S.E. to S.W. David¹ being home I had not as much to do + saw only a few town cases. Did some clerical work. Wrote Mrs Baptie thanking her for the grapes² + began a letter to Patrick³. Sent Dunlop⁴ a copy of “Robbie Doo.”⁵. Helen⁶ supped at Viewfield. David came up + we talked over the cases.

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

² Mary Jane ‘Molly’ Baptie née Inglis (1876-?1961), from Selkirk but married and living in South Africa had sent a box of grapes to Dr Muir, see diary entry for 28 April 1921

³ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902

⁴ Assume Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922), merchant, of Whitmuirhall, Selkirk; just conceivably Charles Bertram Dunlop (1877-1956), his son but he was born in Yorkshire and even as late as the 1939 England and Wales Register he is still living there

⁵ ‘Robbie Doo’ (1912) by Joseph Laing Waugh; Robbie Doo was a stone-mason in Thornhill, Dumfriesshire

⁶ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

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

Heavy hoar frost this morning, a nice day on the whole: wind round to S but still cold. A few drops of rain in afternoon. Motored to Eastfield + Riddell Lodge after breakfast at 7.30. Then saw a few walking + cycled to Yair + Bridgelands + after tea to Yarrow Terrace, Beechwood, Old Mill Farm¹, Bluecairn, Howford Cottage + Oakwood. Helen² was at a farewell recital by Chris “Reekie” ³ at Heatherlie Church. David⁴ came back from Ed[inburgh] till next Tuesday. Wrote Jean⁵ giving report on Pike’s⁶ operation.

¹ Old Mill Farm, Selkirk, near Philiphaugh, grid reference NGR NT448,277

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

³ Christopher ‘Chris’ Reekie (1892-1986), singer, pianist and organist, born Selkirk, served in the First World War, returned to Selkirk but emigrated to Melbourne, Australia 1921/22; he maintained a lifelong connection with Selkirk and its Common Riding through membership of the Colonial Society, his annual communication “Hands Across The Seas” at Common Riding time and a return visit aet 73 in 1966 [birth, 1892, 778/ 26, Selkirk and ‘The late Chris Reekie – an appreciation’, The Southern Reporter, 27 March 1986]

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

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

⁶ Frederick Charles Pike (1883-1921), theatrical agent, married Dr Muir’s daughter Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir in 1920 (much to Dr Muir’s disapproval) at Newington, Edinburgh

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

A miserably cold day with showers of sleet + snow. Fairer in afternoon. Breakfasted 7.30 + left at 8.45 motoring to Briarbank, Riddell Lodge, Dryden (via Middlestead) to Crosslee, Oakwood, Old Mill Farm + Beechwood, getting home at 1.15. Attended Mrs R Snowden (Margaret Stewart) at her mother’s house (primip¹). Went to meeting of Panel Committee at Galashiels, + saw some cases coming home. Went to Home² + arranged for Miss Kirkpatrick’s reception on Friday³. Notified Alex. Ford⁴ about his boy. Helen⁵ at Ovenscloss at a singing party. Nancy, Louise + Stewart⁶ looked in from the picture.

¹ Margaret T Stewart Snowden, born 4 May 1921 place , daughter of Robert Snowden and Joan Bateman Stewart, married 1921, Selkirk

² The Home was Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s new cottage hospital

³ Lilias (or Lillias) Mary Kirkpatrick (1866-1950), sister of Roger Sandilands Kirkpatrick (1859-1943), M.A. (Edin.), Church of Scotland minister at Yarrow 1912 onwards

⁴ Dr Muir has confused the names: James Alexander ‘Alex’ Ford (1918-) was to be operated on later in the week (see diary entry for 7 May 1921) but, aged 2 years 9 months, he was not the one notified, that would have been his father Robert Purves Ford

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁶ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter and two of her children, Louisa Jane ‘Louise’ Roberts, later Rutherford (1906-1982) and Stewart Muir Roberts (1908-2003)

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

Still very cold but dry and a good deal of sun. N.W. Cycled to High Street, Halliday’s Park, Sloebank, Bleachfield Road +c + then to Heathpark, Riddell West Lodge + via Ashkirk + Hartwoodmyres to Oakwood¹. Stopped at the summmit + had a smoke sheltered by the dyke² from the keen wind. Didn’t see nor hear a single Whaup or Peewit³. Came home by Beechwood + Old Mill Farm + it was 3.30 before I got tea. Helen⁴ drilling at County Hotel. Stewart⁵ sent a pellet from the air gun through my dressing room window.

¹ Dr Muir has come back from Riddell through Ashkirk village and over the hill to Hartwoodmyres (grid reference NGR NT433,248) before dropping to the Ettrick Water opposite Carter Haugh and just short of Oakwood

² Dr Muir has presumably stopped at the boundary dyke near the Bishop’s Stone, NGR NT442,235; the description of the stone by T Craig-Brown (1886), is worth repeating “A large whinstone, called the Bishop-Stone, which used to lie on the ridge of the hill, is now built into the march-dyke between Woll and Hartwoodmyres, a few paces to the west of where it intersects the turnpike to Ashkirk. Beyond the initials of some passing loiterers, no marks are visible on the uncovered portions of the stone; and none, we are informed, were traceable on the rest before it was built in. Mayhap, it marked the bounds of abbey lands, or was set to mark the ‘rest and be thankful’ of some fair, round prelate, who loved to sit there and absorb the glorious view of Ettrick vale. Still more probably, Woll having been originally acquired from the Bishop of Glasgow, the stone was put there to indicate the limits of the bishop’s territory.” [Canmore ID 54337]

³ The northern lapwing Vanellus vanellus, known as the peewit and the Eurasian curlew or common curlew Numenius arquata, known as the ‘whaup’ in Scots

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

⁵ Stewart Muir ‘Little Stewart’ Roberts (1908-2003), Dr Muir’s grandson

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

After a brilliant morning it rained heavily from 12.30, but faired after 4. It got very much colder + the contrast from yesterday was most horrible. I cycled in the town + to Beechwood + Philiphaugh + back + got pretty wet. Was nearly 2 hours in the evening with a stream of chiefly N.H.I.s¹. David² went back to camp this morning.

¹ Assume National Health Insurance cases, under the National Insurance Act 1911

² David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner, had been away from Selkirk as part of a widespread mobilisation in response to the miners’ strike

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

Lovely May Day: sunny + warm with more cloud than yesterday, Friday. Saw a few town cases walking + went to Communion. Sat in my own pew as I was not required. Mr Connor a friend of Ross¹ preached. Was also at evening service when his text was “I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ”². David³ came up in afternoon + we went over the cases. Mrs [illegible]⁴ came to supper. Helen⁵ lunched at Elmpark⁶. Dunlop⁷ very kindly sent me a lot of gulls eggs.

¹ The Reverend Andrew Ross (1871-1942), Church of Scotland minister

² “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes …” Romans 1:16

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

⁴ The Editor would be pleased to hear suggestions about this name

⁵ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper

⁶ Elmpark, Selkirk had been the home of Mrs Mackintosh who had flitted but it is not (yet) clear whether she has moved back

⁷ Assume Charles Walter Dunlop (1846-1922), merchant, of Whitmuirhall, Selkirk; just conceivably Charles Bertram Dunlop (1877-1956), his son, but he was born in Yorkshire and even as late as the 1939 England and Wales Register he is still living there

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

Fair weather continues. Today there was scarcely a cloud in the sky all day. At 9.15 gave boy Turnbull¹, R.C. School chlor[oform] and extracted teeth. Then I cycled via Goslaw Green, Sloebank, Dunsdale Road + Buccleuch Road to Beechwood + Oakwood + at 2.15 motored to Lilliesleaf, Riddell N Lodge, Kirklea + Dryden getting back at 5.30. There was a gathering of Ogilvies at Kirklea². David³ came this evening + cycled over to Yair. Helen + Nancy⁴ to Faldonside + had tea with Jessie Boyd⁵.

¹ Not identified

² Kirklea, Ashkirk was the home of William Henry ‘W H’ or ‘Will’ Ogilvie (1869-1963), poet, author, journalist and one of Australia’s great Bush poets, and his wife Katherine Margaret ‘Madge’ Ogilvie née Scott Anderson (1879-1965)

³ David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner

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

⁵ Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

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

A very perfect day with the usual E. wind much modified. Some dust going. Nearly cloudless sky all day. Mrs I saw Mrs Henderson¹ at 9.45 last night when she was still only partially dilated. Came home + lay down on sofa. They came for me about 11.30 but I did not hurry + when another massage came I went to find the child born at 12.10. Pretty good work for [a] 40 year old Primip! Today I saw 18 town cases: cycled to Dunsdale, Bogle House + Beechbank Road + then to Ettrick Road, Yarrow Road, Ettrickhaugh Road, Beechwood + Oakwood. Had consults from 6.15 till nearly 8.

¹ Agnes Henderson, born 29 April 1921, at Goslaw Green, Selkirk, daughter of Edward Henderson, foreman woollen spinner, and Mary Elizabeth Henderson née Murray

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