Breakfasted at 7.30 + left 8.30. Called for Mrs Leitch, Hill Street¹ + Agnes Black, Whitmuirhall Toll which took me 15 minutes. It was a dull morning  + glass [barometer] falling. There had been a shower which made the roads splendid. S.W. wind slight. Ran to St Boswells, Jedfoot, Eckford, Caverton Mill, Frogden, Hoselaw, Mindrum, Akeld [and] Wooler. Took it easy + got to cottage at 1.30. Shortly after Jack [Roberts] arrived with his party + then Dora [Muir], Mrs McIntosh, Wally + Tim [?] in a hire from Bryson. We met the Robertsons from Alnmouth + pic-nic by Wooler Burn 1¹/₂ miles up from the station. There was a flower show + games going on. I left at 3.55 + came back by Coldstream + Kelso, where I stopped for a drink. Got home at 8.45. Jack passed me near Prieston. The other car went by near town + reached home first. It was a delightful outing + I cycled about 87 miles. Feel stiff but not tired.

¹ See entry for 15 August 2019

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Same lovely weather: very warm but with a cooling W. to N.W. breeze. William Leitch, Hill Street¹ and Mrs Miller, Tower Street + then went down to Mauldsheugh. D. + N [David and Norah Graham] arrived home by rail this morning. Their holiday has been spoilt by the breakdown of the car. Should have gone to the Sheriff Court at 12 but forgot + cycled to Yarrow Cottage + Newarkburn, coming home by Hospital. Dora [Muir] went to Lauriston for tea². D. [Dr David Graham] got message to somebody at Raeside + was going down in Swift when another message came saying tomorrow would do.

¹ Thomas Leitch, police constable, lived at 10 Hill Street and owned a number of nearby properties [1919 Valuation Roll]

² Katie Smith, was at Lauriston (1919 Valuation Roll and 1911 census), at Broomhill, Selkirk (1901 Census) and at Mauldsheugh, with her husband Thomas Smith, tweed manufacturer, who died in 1899 (1891 Census)

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Raining this morning but faired by 8 o’clock after which it was a fine sunny day with N.W. wind. Calm + clear at night. Walked to S. Port + Heatherlie + Bank. Paid some M&G [Muir and Graham medical co-partnership] accounts + also G T Scott. The price of all alcoholics is almost prohibitive e.g. 9/- per dozen for lager beer. After tea cycled to Curror Street + Hospital whence I had to return to see George Smith who had scalded his arms with boiling tar: then I went to Low + High Faldonside. At latter met Mrs Ferguson one of the James sisters [?] who figure in the photo of cyclists at Penielheugh. Dora [Muir] came at 7.30 looking [?] rather than [?].

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A few drops of rain in morning. Blowy but warm day. Very pleasant. Wrote Helen [Muir] + sent Jean [Muir] some flowers + she sent me a box of ? buns + some cake. Mrs McIntosh continues to pour in supplies consisting of a tongue, pot of creams grapes &c &c. Cycled in to Hospital, Forest Mill, Philipburn Mill + Howford Hill. Got back at 2 + was not out again. Got letter from Helen. Bella Henderson, Forest Road, died this morning after a most painful + protracted illness¹.

¹ Isabella ‘Bella’ Henderson, unmarried woollen winder, died 13 August 1919, aged 57, at Forest Road, Selkirk

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A bright warm day with strong W wind. Very warm in the sun. Lovely at night + calm with full moon. Message to M Glendinning, Peelburnfoot¹ + Jessie Boyd.²Cycled to Greenfoot &c, Bridgelands, Faldonside, Yair, Fairnilee Cottage, Peelburnfoot, Bridge Street + Green [Square ?]. Saw some town cases after tea. Saw Bella Henderson before dinner + thought her sinking.³ Message at 8.50 to Heard, Castle Street⁴. Got letter from Jean.⁵ Mrs McIntosh sent me a square of honey + some eggs.⁶ Wrote about petrol + felt handles for bike.

¹ Michael Glendinning, retired farmer, of Peelburnfoot, Caddonfoot parish [1919 Valuation Roll] and formerly the tenant at Williamhope [1905 V.R.]; he died at Peelburnfoot, 19 April 1922, death certified by Dr J S Muir M.B. – he was the son of William Glendinning, shepherd, and Alison Glendinning née Scott and widower of Euphemia Riddle

² Jessie Milne Brack Boyd (1867-1961), of Faldonside, plantswoman and gardener

³ Isabella ‘Bella’ Henderson (about 1862-1919), unmarried woollen winder, died 13 August 1919, aged 57, at Forest Road, Selkirk

⁴ Walter Heard, soldier, was tenant at 45 Castle Street, Selkirk, in 1919 Valuation Roll

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

⁶ Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk, whose home was known by Dr Muir as ‘the Magic Cave’ on account of her generosity

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

A warm sunless day with westerly wind strong at times. Breakfasted 7.10 + at 8.8 cycled to Gilmanscleuch, Ettrick P.O. + Ettrick School. Intended doing Howford (Back o’ Hill) as I returned but at P.O. got message to Mrs Baptie. Very stiff climb against wind to Hartleap¹ + fine run down + found Tom [Thomas Baptie] at his mother’s². The old lady looked very changed + and has had a slight shock [a stroke, or cerebrovascular accident] the power being partially away from her left arm³. I told Tom to remain if he would. Called at Mauldsheugh for Mrs Erskine + some others + got my tea at 3.40. Barbara’s 17^th birthday. Gave her the crystal pendant with monogram which belonged to Bessie Rodger⁴.

¹ This implies that Dr Muir has gone round the longer route via Tushielaw and Altrieve instead of straight out of Kirkhope via Witchie Knowe

² Jane Baptie, widow of William Baptie, shepherd, died 23 August 1919, aged 85, at Yarrow Cottage, Yarrow, informant Thomas Baptie, son and certified by Dr J S Muir M.B.

³ Thank you to a regular contributor of medical advice to this Blog the Editor is now confident of this reading

⁴ The Editor wonders if this may refer to Elizabeth Rodger née Robertson, daughter of Archibald Shaw Robertson and Agnes Robertson, formerly Sleigh, née Lyall and wife of George Rodger, solicitor and Pro Fiscal of Selkirk and son of Peter Rodger; she died aet 37 postpartum, 5 April 1872, her death certified by Dr J S Muir M.B., her brother-in-law. George Rodger, solicitor, and Elizabeth Robertson had married 25 April 1871 at Kelso North Church

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Another glorious day + with a cooling N.W. breeze. Lovely calm moonlight night. Had only a few town cases + finished them in time for morning service. Had to go down to Buccleuch Road after to see a child of Lang. Wrote Jean [Muir], David + Frank Muir. Had high tea at Wellwood + got a message to see the baby at Scott’s, Sunderland Hall. It is only 8 months + is walking. The idiots had actually given it corned beef to eat which of course gave it colic. Jack [Roberts] kindly ran me down in his motor.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

There had been a heavy shower early this morning but it turned out a lovely day: perfectly calm + very hot, the hottest day of the summer I think. I was no farther than Philipburn Stables. Saw 12 cases + did some work at books [accounts]. Bella [Paulin, housekeeper] going about again. Lovely summer night with moonlight. Letter from Frank Muir offering to come September 1^st. Asked Nancy [Roberts née Muir] to take him then.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Breakfasted at 7 + left at 7.45 cycling to Gilmanscleuch (11³/₄) in 1h 15¹/₂m. The baby has Rubeola. Came straight back + made some calls in Glebe Terrace &c + saw a few town cases after + did some posting [of accounts]. Mrs McIntosh sent me a chicken + ¹/₂ dozen eggs. Bella’s foot better [Bella Paulin, housekeeper]. It was a fair day + wind slight from N.W.W. [sic] Had a call from Mrs Hay whose husband was gardener at Philiphaugh under Graham Menzies¹.

¹ George Hay, gardener, married to Mary, is recorded as a gardener at Selkirk in the 1891 Census

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]

Another fine day: very dry. West wind. Cycled round town. Dressed Mrs Arnot’s neck. Called for Jessie Clapperton + saw her + Madge Farquharson. Took the remaining stitches out of Mrs Turnbull’s wounds at the Howe. After lunch walked with Kelty to Longmoss, going by Shawmount + returning by the Camp + Steel Burn. Saw Bella Henderson twice. Wrote Dora. Had a letter from Norah [Graham] from Lodore Hotel, Keswick.

[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/22, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1919]