Another miserable day of east wind (slight) + rain. There was not a glimpse of sunshine. A large aeroplane passed over flying very low at 8 O’Clock. Probably the Handley Page from Manchester going north¹. Saw D. Murray before breakfast + a few after, then motored to Ettrick Mill, Sunderland Hall stables + Bridgelands. Went to Divisional meeting at Newtown. It was held in the Baillie Memorial Hall + we got no tea. I had nothing from breakfast until 7 p.m. but a bite of cheese. Miss Williamson illegible words] had tea with H + D. Got payment for attending at Melrose last year.

¹ Presumably either a Handley Page O/400 twin engine or a V/1500 four engine bomber, both of which during 1919 were being repurposed for commercial flight

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

Wind E + a lot of rain with fair intervals. Very wet in evening. Walked in town + to Bridgelands. Went to Newtown [St Boswells] by mistake thinking today was the [?] of the Division but it is tomorrow. Jean came out [from Edinburgh] at 12 + left again at 3. I had a talk with her + told her I disapproved of her engagement. Went to meeting of War Memorial sub committee.

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

A quite persistent rain fell all day. First SE then E. Message to see old Wilson, Fauldshope. Motored Oakwoodmill, Fauldshope, Yarrowford, Harehead, Linglie Cottages, Sunderland Hall stables + Bridgelands. In afternoon Willie Grieve of Synton Mill + his wife called, also Mrs Henry, Hutlerburn. Helen [Muir] had tea at Wellwood. Got all the paid accounts marked out. Jean [Muir] wired in the morning that she was coming out by the last train but she ‘phoned at 10 p.m. that she had missed it. I foolishly mentioned Robinson’s name + Pike, who was standing behind her, heard it¹.

¹ It is not clear who Robinson is nor what he knew of Frederick Charles Pike but Dr Muir is not at all happy with his daughter’s choice of fiancé; nevertheless Jane ‘Jean’ Muir married Pike on 15 June 1920 at Mayfield U.F. Church, Newington, Edinburgh, by which time he was recorded as a theatrical agent (though sadly he died the following year while Jane lived on until 1941)

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

Wind SE, much warmer. A lot of dust in afternoon, very dull + misty [?]. Saw Dav. Murray again before breakfast¹. He seems a little better but awfully emancipated + weak. Motored to South Port, Pinegrove, Bridgelands, Sunderland Hall stables, Linglie Cottages + Mill Street. Had tea in smoke room which I have not had [sic]. David [Graham] had a long round of Ettrick. Helen [Muir] went to the Picture House with Mrs Mackintosh, Jock + Barbara². Wrote Dr Robinson, Poole + Mrs Gallop. Wrote Jean [Muir] telling what Robinson said that I had my suspicions about Pike³.

¹ David Scott Murray (d.1919), newspaper correspondent

²Assume Agnes MacIntosh née Watson (c.1860-1946), she was the widow of Ebenezer Erskine Harper, sheriff substitute, but had remarried after Harper’s death; widowed again and living at Elmpark, Selkirk in the 1919 Valuation Roll

³ Jane ‘Jean’ Muir married, 15 June 1920, at Mayfield U.F. Church, Newington, Edinburgh, Frederick Charles Pike, by this time recorded as a theatrical agent. At their marriage both were living (at different premises) in East Preston Street, Edinburgh. Sadly he died the following year; Jane lived on until 1941

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

It is difficult to believe that a week ago we had deep snow. Today there are just a few patches behind dykes on the hills. It was a little milder today but dull + drizzling. Saw Dav. Murray before breakfast. Saw May Reid [illegible section]. Went to morning service (communion) [and] was in my own pew. Nothing doing in town but had to go to Bridgelands for Jas. Hardie + afterwards to Sunderland Hall stables for McGill. Went to evening service. Jack + Nancy, Barbara, Jock + Louise at supper¹.

¹ Dr Muir’s married daughter and her family, known to Dr Muir as the ‘Wellwooders’ were Roberts, John junior ‘Jack’ (1876-1966); mill owner and Provost of Selkirk; Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), and their children Andrina Barbara Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Thwigg (1902-1996); John Stewart ‘Jock’ Roberts (1904-1950); woollen manufacturer; Louisa Jane Roberts; two younger children did not attend the meal

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

Another day like yesterday: clear tonight. Sharp west wind + dust flying: a few drops of rain in evening. Saw Dav. Murray before breakfast + decided to keep him here: got nurse from Miss Graham who came at 4. Miss Adamson left at 6. Not much doing. Cycled to Mauldsheugh at David’s request to see a Miss Erskine who is a patient there. Also to Beechwood to see Miss Colville who is very mad. Came back by Heatherliebank, Glebe, Ashybank (where I called for James Linton + apologised for ? a paid account). Delivered communion cards. Jean left at 6. Nancy came to tea. Jean wants to be married here. Jack tried to get her to put off the marriage until Pike gets some permanent employment.

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

Fine clear sharp dry sunny day. Saw Dav. Murray + motored to Harehead Ettrickbridge (where I saw Mr R Mitchell + Mr Mc? ), Gilmanscleuch, Annelshope + Thirladean. Got back 2.20. Primroses opposite Ettrick Manse lovely. Got note from B.S.A. promising by [sic] new bike in 7-10 days. David [Dr David Graham] arranged to take D. Murray down to Mauldsheugh but afterwards repented. He will have to remain at Cleghorn or go to Edinburgh. Went to meeting of War Memorial Com^ttee. Jean [Muir] went to Lauriston + told of her engagement.

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

Brilliant morning: a little hoar frost, but cold + dull after. Cycled to Mills + Sunderland Hall stables returning via Linglie. Later had to go down to Bridgelands to see old Jas. Hardie. Did 10¹/₂ miles + feel pretty stiff. Got stand for B.S.A. David was at Shaws Farm + in the evening had to go to Gilmanscleuch + when he got back from there to Sunderland Hall stables as old Gen [General ?] McGill had Epistaxis¹ . Jean came at 7.30. I am not at all pleased with her engagement to Pike. He is only a private + seems to have no prospects².

¹ Nosebleed, thanks again to a sharp-eyed reader for picking this up

² Jane ‘Jean’ Muir married, 15 June 1920, at Mayfield U.F. Church, Newington, Edinburgh, Frederick Charles Pike, by this time recorded as a theatrical agent. At their marriage both were living (at different premises) in East Preston Street, Edinburgh. Sadly he died the following year. Jane lived on until 1941

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

David Murray still very ill¹. Saw him three times, once with Dav [Dr David Graham, co-partner]. We decided to get Bramwell + found he was at St Boswell’s but couldn’t get his address². Saw some town cases + Ettrickbank Mill accounts coming in. Dav was at Bridgelands (James Hardie³), Sunderland Hall Lodge + Faldonside. Steady thaw + snow off the streets, a very little at West Gate [?] + in park.

¹ Professor Edwin Bramwell F.R.S.E, F.R.C.P.E., L.L.D., (1873-1952), 20th century Scottish neurologist, a First World War specialist in brain injuries and shell-shock and was President of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh 1933-1935

² David Scott Murray (d.1919), newspaper correspondent

³ Assume James Hardie (d.1922), retired ploughman, of Bridgelands, Galashiels who died after “heart disease and senile debility several years” as certified by Dr John Stewart Muir

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

Was called this morning at 7.30 to Mrs Jack Brown, Glebe Terrace. She had D [daughter] 4^lb 4 at 8.45¹. Saw one or two town cases during the day. David had a country round to Oakwoodmill, Ettrickshaws, Shielshaugh, Broadmeadows, Yarrowford + Thirladean. I walked out to Longmoss. Found that the road beyond the Greenhead March had been drifted up [illegible word]. It was a fine day but all the hills still white. Not very clear. Heard a Willow Wren near Shawmount².

¹ Ruby Brown, daughter of John Henderson Brown, road contractor, and Isabella Elder Brown née Montgomery was born at 09.10 Registrar’s time] on 29 May 1919 at 13 Glebe Terrace, Selkirk. Her parents had married June 1912 at Selkirk. Ruby did alright in spite of her low birth weight and married, 1942, Rodney Oliver, farmer, of Easter Essenside, Ashkirk, from the address at which she was born, at which date she is described as a woollen picker and Private A.T.S. She died in 2012, aged 93

² The Willow Warbler Phylloscopus trochilus, historically known as the Willow Wren

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