Election Day

Back to frost – a cloudless calm dry day + roads in places like glass. My cold a shade better but still very troublesome. Had breakfast in bed. Took the car to Beechwood, Bridge Street + back to Knowepark School¹ where I voted for Dalkeith.² Then I went to Midlem Old Manse + was called in to see Barb. Turnbull³ + Jo. Black The Toll.⁴. Great deal of motor traffic going + coming to the polling booth.

¹ Knowepark Public School, Selkirk, known as Chapel Street Public School until 1882.

² In the December 1923 General Election Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, 8th Duke of Buccleuch from 1935 but at this time Earl of Dalkeith, took Sir Thomas Henderson’s parliamentary seat for Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire on 6 December 1923 with 11,258 votes (43.1%).

³ Barbara Turnbull is as yet unidentified.

⁴ John Black (about 1859-), gamekeeper, inhabitant occupier not rated at Whitmuirhall Old Tollhouse, Selkirk [1921 Valuation, VR011700009-/333, Selkirk County, page 333 of 611]. He had married, 1888, Selkirk, Jessie Black née Cochrane and they lived at Whitmuir Toll with their daughters Agnes and Kate [1921 Census].

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

NB: the diary entries for 4 and 5 December 1923 were transposed, so see yesterday’s entry for the today’s new content.

I had a most miserable day in the house with about the worst Coryza I ever had. My nose ran like a spigot in spite of inhalation + cough mixture. David¹ saw Willie Stoddart² + there was really nothing else. Helen³ was giving tea in the Volunteer Hall for the [illegible] Club. She had a letter from Dora.⁴ It was a decided though calm thaw. [Wind] N.E. Nancy⁵ came back from St Abbs.⁶ Barometer: 28.85 29.27.

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

² This may refer to William Stoddart (about 1850-), retired shepherd, recorded as a boarder at Deloraine Hope, Kirkhope, in the 1921 Census.

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

⁴ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, who was living and working in Egypt at this time.

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

⁶ The Roberts (probably Nancy and whichever children were travelling with her by 1923) had been holidaying at the Haven, St Abbs since early November.

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

Snow began to fall about 7.30 + continued till afternoon. The frost seemed to be gone but it was not a decided fresh [?] + it was almost a dead calm S. to S.E. Very wintery landscape. David¹ operated for nothing on a man Pringle from Gattonside. I saw some town cases + motored to Hartwoodburn. Helen² + I dined at Elmpark.³ Sent C.T.C. subscription.⁴

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

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

³ Elm Park, Selkirk, the home of Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).

⁴ From previous references it seems that the C.T.C. is probably the central transport organisation that was responsible for paying doctors’ travel costs but it should be noted that the Cyclists’ Touring Club (C.T.C.) already existed by this time.

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

Wrote Dora¹ + Mr J Spittal²

Got letter from Mr Jack Spittal telling me that he would be unable to come to the Scott dinner³ as he had lumbago + got a wire from Jack⁴ to say he had written the Sec. It was hard frost again + where the snow had not melted the roads were rig.⁵ It was a fine clear day + there was curling. Made 14 calls including Buccleuch Road + Dunsdale. Saw Erskine Harper⁶ at the Home⁷ + called at Elmpark.⁸ I have got addresses from all 3 parliamentary candidates = Dalkeith, Dallas + Henderson.⁹ Helen¹⁰ went with Mrs Mack + Miss …¹¹ to a Liberal meeting at the Victoria Hall.

¹ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, who was living and working in Egypt at this time.

² John Kerr ‘Jack’ Spittal (1883-1946), accountant. Born, 1883, Caithness and married, 31 January 1918 at St Margaret, Westminster, Alice Barbara Findlay (1894-1970). He was the son of Rachel Spittal née Harvey (1845-1917) and Charles Grey Spittal (1836-1891), sometime Sheriff substitute of Selkirk who owed Dr Muir £32 5s at the time of his death.

³ The Scott dinner is so far unidentified.

⁴ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966), mill owner, of Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk and Dr Muir’s son-in-law.

⁵ The Editor assumes that Dr Muir is using the old agriculture term rig (“A strip of ploughed land raised in the middle and sloping gradually to a furrow on either side” source Dictionar o the Scots Leid) to describe that feature of snow-covered roads where passing wheels push the snow both outwards and into the middle of the carriageway.

⁶ James Erskine Harper (1887-1953), son of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, sheriff substitute, and Agnes Harper née Watson later Mackintosh.

⁷ Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.

⁸ Elm Park, Selkirk, the home of Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).

⁹ Walter John Montagu Douglas Scott, 8th Duke of Buccleuch from 1935 but at this time Earl of Dalkeith. He was to take Sir Thomas Henderson’s parliamentary seat for Roxburghshire and Selkirkshire on 6 December 1923 when Dalkeith (Unionist) received 11,258 votes (43.1%) with Henderson (Liberal) receiving 8,046 votes (30.8%) and George Dallas (Labour) 6,811 (26.1%).

¹⁰ Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.

¹¹ This name is so far unidentified.

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

Thaw more decided + there was one heavy shower of rain. The river was very full + discoloured. The glass [barometer] however was rising + at the the sky was clear. I motored to Ettrickbridgend (Mrs Mitchell¹), Hyndhope (John Anderson²) + Oakwoodmill (Agnes Barton³). Saw a few town cases before + after. Did not get to Church but did a good deal of clerical work. Barometer : 28.52 28.73 Wind : S. + S. W.

¹ Jane Ross Mitchell née Little (1865-), wife of Thomas Mitchell, joiner, married 1894 at Pettinain, South Lanarkshire but recorded at Glebe View, Ettrick Bridge, Kirkhope in the 1921 Census.

² John Anderson (about 1862-), born Roberton, Roxburghshire, farm manager at Shepherd’s Cottage, Hyndhope, Kirkhope, had been widowed in June 1923 with the death of Christina Anderson née Nichol (1877-1923).

³ Agnes Turnbull Barton (1896-1965), daughter of Andrew Barton, farmer, and Rebecca or Rebekah Monti Garden Barton née Grant (1867-1932) who had married June 1892 at the Burgh of Stirling. Agnes was born at Logiealmond, Perthshire but in the 1921 Census the family was at Oakwoodmill, Selkirk [1921 Census and Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/323, Selkirk County, page 323 of 611].

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

The frost gave in this forenoon. There was dense fog all day. No wind. Weathercock S.W. Very slight drizzle at intervals. Paid 9 visits + walked to Over Whitlaw to call on Willie Wood.¹ It was not very bad going. Took Kelty² but I don’t think he enjoyed it. Erskine Harper³ went to Viewfield.⁴ Helen⁵ + Miss Wallace⁶ went to the Opera.⁷ I saw Willie Stoddart⁸ a second time + called at Elmpark.⁹

¹ William Wood was Occupier at Over Whitlaw Farm, Galashiels, grid reference NGR NT517,300. He is otherwise unidentified but may be the individual recorded in the 1921 Census living at Sunderland Hall South Lodge, aged 67, born “Caranchshaws” [Cranshaws], Berwickshire, with his wife Elizabeth, 65, born Westruther, Berwickshire.

² Kelty was a dog that Dr Muir records taking for a walk very infrequently since at least 1917 but either someone else must have been his regular walker or he was not their dog.

³ James Erskine Harper (1887-1953), son of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, sheriff substitute, and Agnes Harper née Watson later Mackintosh.

⁴ Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.

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

⁶ Miss Jane Wallace (1874-), 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.

⁷ The opera is so far unidentified.

⁸ This may refer to William Stoddart (about 1850-), retired shepherd, recorded as a boarder at Deloraine Hope, Kirkhope, in the 1921 Census.

⁹ Elm Park, Selkirk, home of Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946).

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

Frost holding in morning but gave way at night. As usual a few town calls was all my work. Winifred Armitage¹ left, today Helen² went to Gala with her. Finished my Summary Cards to date. Had a call from the Italian pastor³ who has been here several times + gave him £2. Dav.⁴ had 2 cases of T. & A.⁵ at Home⁶ H. [Helen] went to Unionist meeting at night.

¹ Margaret Winifred Armitage (1874-1970), daughter of William Armitage, cotton merchant, and Margaret Petrie Armitage; her sister Dorothy had married Francis ‘Frank’ Muir (1877-1972), electrical engineer, son of the Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir Dr Muir’s brother, and thus Dr Muir’s nephew.

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

³ The pastor is so far unidentified.

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

⁵ Tonsils and adenoids.

⁶ The Home refers to Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.

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

Hard frost + snow all forenoon which made the walking rather better. It cleared in afternoon. Walked to Elmpark, Curror Street, Raeburn Place, Oakhurst +c. 8 calls. Not a single new message. Dav.¹ motored Mr Scott Noble² to Edinburgh + back. L.M.C.³ has given me thick pyjamas + declared her intention of giving me some Port. Did some work at Summary Cards. Barometer: 22.19 29.4.

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

² Probably Robert Scott Noble (1885-), tweed manufacturer. He was the son of James Scott (1854-1940), tweed manufacturer, and Elizabeth Florence Scott née Noble, married 18 June 1884, Wellfield, Wilton Roxburghshire. Robert Scott Noble married, 9 June 1914 at St John’s Episcopal Church, Selkirk, Edith Alice Hutton of Braeside, Selkirk.

³ L.M.C. must be a variant of M.C. or ‘Magic Cave’ as Dr Muir had previously named his good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.

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

There was less frost but as had been a slight sprinkling of snow the going was as bad as ever. However it became fresher and from 12.30 onwards there was [a] steady fall of slushy rain + snow. I walked to Elmrow, Curror Street, Dunsdale + landed at Viewfield¹ where D.² operated on little Nancy Scott³ for appendicular colic. After that I saw some new cases. I was not out after 1.30. The papers are full of political + election news.⁴

¹ Viewfield, the Muir and Graham medical partnership’s nursing home at the top of Viewfield Park and immediately behind the Victoria Halls.

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

³ The best fit is Nancy Scott, born at Minto in 1923.

⁴ The 1923 United Kingdom general election was held on Thursday 6 December 1923.

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

Pretty keen frost : calm. Dull. There was little or no “come”.¹ Motored to Curror Street, Raeburn Meadow + up to Fastheugh.² The going was much better, the track being free of snow + mostly frozen. H.³ + W.⁴ went to a tea party at Pollok’s⁵ with Mrs Mack⁶ who looked in here on her way back. Did some work on Record Cards.⁷

¹ A word used regularly by Dr Muir “CUM, Come, n.2 “A thaw” (Rxb. 1927 E. C. Smith Braid Haaick 10, come); “moisture in the air” (m.Dmf.3 c.1920, cum); “sweat on ice when frost begins to yield” (Dmf. 1925 W. A. Scott in Trans. Dmf. and Gall. Antiq. Soc. 22, cum). [kʌm]” [Source: ‘Dictionar o the Scots Leid’].

² Dr Muir had previously attended Elizabeth Hutchison at Fastheugh, grid reference NGR NT392,289, at the west end of Black Andrew woods on the south side of the Yarrow Water.

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

⁴ Margaret ‘Winifred’ Armitage (1874-1970), daughter of William Armitage, cotton merchant, and Margaret Petrie Armitage née Mills. Winifred’s sister Dorothy had married Francis ‘Frank’ Muir (1877-1972), electrical engineer and son of the Reverend Gavin Struthers ‘Guy’ Muir, Dr Muir’s brother.

⁵ John Pollok (1858-1938), sometime Town Clerk, Procurator Fiscal, and Clerk to the Property & Income Tax Commissioners.

⁶ Dr Muir’s good friend Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946) of Elm Park, Selkirk.

⁷ The record cards of the Muir and Graham medical partnership.

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