Letter from Pat¹ to Jean² on Monday

Heard Missell thrush at Firs 24^th

Touch of frost again this morning. Calm dull not unpleasant day. Hard frost at night. ‘Phone to see Melville, Philiphaugh.³ Drove to Hospital, Dunsdale, Firs, Philiphaugh (where I opened an abscess in Melville’s tonsil) and town. At 1 (along with Meikle⁴) I amputated Andrew Smith’s prepuce under Chlor[oform].⁵ Went to evening service. Ross⁶ preached well from “Ye Believe then in one God : ye do well : the devils believe + tremble.”⁷ After supper had to go down to Lindean to see a child of a man Reddie.⁸ Cycled.

¹ Patrick Rodger Stewart ‘Pat’ Muir (1879-1961), Dr Muir’s only son, living in New Zealand since 1902.

² Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter.

³ Charles Melville (1853-), servant. Born Clyne, Sutherland, he was recorded at Philiphaugh Mansion, 1901 Census.

⁴ Robert William Meikle (1870-), medical practitioner. Born Inveraray, Argyllshire, recorded at Gowanbrae, Selkirk, 1901 Census.

⁵ Andrew Smith is so far unidentified.

⁶ The Reverend Andrew Ross (1871-1942), Church of Scotland clergyman, who had moved to Selkirk in 1903 and was there until his retiral with the exception of a period in early 1918 when he was in France with the Scottish Churches Huts.

⁷ James 2:19.

⁸ There were two households named Reddie in Galashiels in the 1901 Census but neither can be linked to Lindean.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Another fine mild springlike [day]. Roads still very heavy. Rose at 5.45 5.45. Made out accounts against Town Council for /02 + /03 notification for attendance at Smallpox Hospital + for vaccinations amounting all together to £61. 4. 0. Cycled to Hospital +c, Firs + Broadmeadows. Jack¹ looked up [sic] at night. He had a great day with hounds which met at Haining, finishing at Eildon Hall.² Helen + Dora³ went to the meet with Fairy.⁴

¹ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Dr Muir’s son-in-law.

² Eildon Hall, east of the Eildon Hills, grid reference NGR NT562,324, proprietor the Duke of Buccleuch. The Duke of Buccleuch’s Hunt, huntsman George Summers from 1902-1948, was nearby at St Boswells at this time.

³ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963) and Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), two of Dr Muir’s daughters.

⁴ Euphemia Cranston ‘Fairy’ Roberts née Greenwood (1877-1916) and Charles Henry Roberts (1877-), tweed manufacturer.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Rose 5.30. Touch of frost which did not hold but made the roads stickier. Dull in afternoon+ threatening rain. Cycled round town + to Firs in forenoon + to Hospital, Bridgelands, Lindean + Faldonside in afternoon. Nancy¹ has gone into Edinburgh for [work? week?] and to Herdman’s.² Saw snow drops yesterday at Almshouses + winter aconite³ at The Firs.

¹ Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

² The Editor wonders if this is is connected with Charles William ‘Charlie’ Herdman (1880-1956), and his family. He was later Proprietor Occupier at Friarshaugh, Friarshall and Fauhope Mains, Melrose, Roxburghshire.

³ Winter Aconite or Eranthis hyemalis.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Still mild + calm but not quite so warm as yesterday. Started immediately after breakfast + drove to almshouses (Miss D… back from Infirmary), Newhouse + Ashkirk U.F.M.¹ Then after a bite of lunch + changing horses + [sic] I drove to the Firs (Mrs S. much better²), Yarrowford, B^dMeadows, Ettrickbank Mill, Curror Street + Heathpark. Got invitation for Conan Doyle’s meeting³ on 27^th. Broke the tap of the supply pipe of gas stove + had to burn off the gas at the meter.

¹ Ashkirk United Free Manse was to the east of the Selkirk-Hawick road. It is visible on Ordnance Survey six inch Selkirkshire Sheet XVI.NW & NE, published 1900. The house was later occupied by W H Ogilvie and his family.

² Dr Muir had been attending Alice Smith née Paterson (1863-1943) of The Firs, Selkirk (wife of Patrick ‘Pat’ Smith (1858-1930), advocate and sheriff-substitute) who had given birth on 13 January 1904 but had been unwell since.

³ The wooden bridge at Selkirk was destroyed by the great flood of 1902 and in 1904 locals organised a three-day event to raise funds for a new one. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) spent time at Selkirk supporting the fundraising. As it happens Conan Doyle was in Selkirk again that year when he opened the batting for the M.C.C., scoring 35, when they played at Philiphaugh on 24 June 1904.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Although both windows were open all night the thermo in my room this morning was 50°.

Mist cleared away + it was a delicious mild spring-like day with S.W. wind but very muddy roads. Saw some town cases walking + then cycled to The Firs, Broadmeadows + Yarrowford. Drove to The Firs again at night. Mrs S.¹ has Septicaemia + some perimetritis.²

¹ Alice Smith née Paterson (1863-1943) of The Firs, Selkirk, wife of Patrick ‘Pat’ Smith (1858-1930), advocate and sheriff-substitute, had given birth on 13 January 1904 but had been unwell since.

² Inflammation of the membrane on the outer surface of the uterus.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Very mild calm + foggy : any slight wind there was, was E. Rose at 5 and wrote several letters +c. Drove to Firs +c + Broadmeadows + after lunch to Knowepark, Dandswall + Broomhill. Called at Wellwood to see Baby.¹ Jack + Nancy² have given me for a Xmas present an ever ready [sic] electric torch.³

¹ Baby was Dr Muir’s first grandchild, Andrina Barbara Roberts, born 1902.

² John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

³ This is a curious statement, because Everready and Ever-Ready trademarks were not adopted until 1905.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Very mild + most delightful day with a lovely sunset. Drove to Hospital, Firs, Broadmeadows (where I had lunch) + Hartwoodmyres. Willie Baptie¹ left for London tonight to enter in a situation in the P.O. Savings Bank at West Kensington at £70. I gave him a letter wallet which Jack² got for me in Edinburgh.

¹ William ‘Willie’ Baptie (1884-1918) did indeed go to work for the Post Office. The 1911 Census records him with his wife Jane and son Thomas Wilfred at Niton Street, Fulham, and in 1915 his army record notes that he was on a Short Service Attestation with the London Regiment, Regimental Number 540245. He had married Jane (sometimes Jean) Bell in 1908 and they had two children Thomas Wilfred Baptie (1909-1944), like his father a war casualty, and Margaret Calderwood Baptie (1911-1982).

² John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), Dr Muir’s son-in-law.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Heard Great Tit on Monday + Sunday

Frosty still this morning+ a fine day but the wind went round to the W. + a very gentle thaw came on but the roads did not get muddy. Cycled straight to Broadmeadows to see Mrs Lang¹, then on to Newark Mill, Firs, Forest Road, Faldonside, Hospital + Dandswall. After dinner had to go down to Millburn Place to see Mrs Campbell (Jeannie Hislop²) but was not out again + did not go to church. Baby³ came up to tea. She is prattling away in most innocent fashion + is very very dear.

¹ The Editor assumed that it was Mrs Anna Gertrude Montgomerie Hamilton née Lang (1864-), born Largs, Ayrshire, daughter of Hugh Morris Lang and Margaret Lang née Graham (1821-1914), whom Dr Muir had seen on 9 January 1904, though it is possible that it was Mrs Lang senior that he was seeing.

² Jane Hislop (1881-) of 11 Millburn Place, Selkirk, had married George Donald Campbell, gardener, of Broadmeadows, Berwickshire on 20 February 1903 at 1 India Buildings, St Giles, Edinburgh.

^{3 1} Baby was Dr Muir’s first grandchild, Andrina Barbara Roberts, born 1902.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Another fine clear dry frosty day. The snow down here has been next to nothing. Roads lovely for cycling. Cycled in town, Heatherly, Firs (Mrs S. a little feverish¹), Philiphaugh, Broadmeadows + after lunch out to Ashkirk U.F. Manse to see daft Agnes Morant² Then back to Broomhill where I met Caird³ in Consultation about Mrs Pollok.⁴ He fears a return of the disease. Walked back to the station with him to catch the 5.30. Baptie⁵ met me there + I drove to Forest Road, Firs (Mrs S. T. 113) + Dandswall. A good many people in at night + I finished a pretty busy day at 9 o’clock. Jack + Nancy have gone to Edinburgh for the weekend.⁶

¹ David Anderson Smith (1904-1976), had been born 13 January 1904 at The Firs, Selkirk, the son of Patrick ‘Pat’ Smith (1858-1930), advocate and sheriff-substitute, and Alice Smith née Paterson (1863-1943).

² Mary Agnes Morant (1869-1917), daughter of George Francis Morant, army major, and Isabel Adelaide Harford. Born Acharacle, Ardnamurchan, Argyllshire, Agnes died of “Exhaustion from Acute Mania 2 months” at The Royal Asylum, Edinburgh, usual residence Forgandenny U.F. Manse, Perthshire. She appears not to have been recorded in the 1901 Census.

³ Francis Mitchell Caird (1853-1926), F.R.C.S.Ed., Scottish surgeon, Regius Professor of Clinical Surgery at the University of Edinburgh, 1908-1819, and President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, 1912-1914.

⁴ Jane Pollok née MacLaurin (about 1856-1911), wife of John Pollok, law agent.

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

⁶ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s second daughter.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]

Freezing hard + a sharp N.W. wind : glass rising : so started off before 10 cycling to Dandswall, Curror Street, Forest Road, Ettrickhaugh Road, Firs¹, Broadmeadows, Mount Benger + Crook Cottage.² It was capital going but the wind got stronger + I encountered some snow showers, one especially a perfect blizzard, between Ettrick Kirk + Crook Cottage which I reached at 3.45 decidedly tired having had nothing since breakfast. Got a comfortable [?] tea. Found Mrs Johnstone rather better but still far from well. It was still snowing when I left at 4.35 + the road was covered with an inch of snow but the strong [wind] blew me along + I did the 7¼ to Crosslee in [text deleted] 30 to 35 minutes while I had taken 55 to do the same distance going up. Got home at 6.35. Had to go over to The Firs again to see Mrs Harper Smith whose temp. was 103. Went early to bed. Jean³ was out at a Sabbath School Teachers’ social. I cycled over 50 miles but on the way home near Singlie hillend [sic] the cyclometer⁴ stuck.

¹ David Anderson Smith (1904-1976), had been born 13 January 1904 at The Firs, Selkirk, the son of Patrick ‘Pat’ Smith (1858-1930), advocate and sheriff-substitute, and Alice Smith née Paterson (1863-1943).

² Mary Johnstone née Hewitson, wife of William Johnstone, roadman, living at Crook Cottage, Overkirkhope, Ettrick, with children and grandchildren. James Johnstone, one of her sons had been unwell too.

³ Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter.

⁴ Dr Muir maybe in 1904 but certainly later used the Veeder Cyclometer (made at Hartford, Connecticut), a device that measured wheel revolutions and thus distance – though a cyclometer had to be purchased for each different size of bicycle wheel.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/7, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1904]