It seems there was very heavy rain during last night + with the melted snow the Ettrick was said to be in flood. It looked wet when I rose + I put on trousers but it faired + was a nice warm day.1 Very slight E. wind + the air quite mild. I cycled to Haremoss to see John Scott2 who had an ischio rectal abscess3 which I opened. Then I walked across to the Middlestead March4 to try + see the hounds at Bowhill but it was too hazy. After tea I cycled to Curror Street + Shawpark. Got an invitation to dine with the Glasgow + W of Scotland Branch but unfortunately that is the day of our Branch meeting.5
1 Dr Muir normally cycled in what he called knickers, being breeks, most likely plus twos, but the point of swapping them for trousers in wetter weather is completely lost on the Editor.
2 John Scott is unidentified. The Haremoss is shown on the east side of the Selkirk – Greendemains – Ashkirk road i.e. in Lilliesleaf, Roxburghshire, but the Editor can find no evidence of John Scott nor of a dwelling-house called Haremoss either there or westwards across the Selkirkshire boundary.
3 The Editor is grateful to a reader for identifying Dr Muir’s text as “ischio-rectal abscess”.
Snowing this morning + everything white : by one o’clock the snow had disappeared, at any rate in + about the town. Was a little late [?]. Walt. Wilson1 died at 2 a.m. + D.2 made a p.m. [post mortem] which showed an enlarged + diseased [illegible] possibly tubercular. Got my new bicycle equipped with front carrier + cyclometer.3 Cycled to Heather + Forest Mills4 + Hospital where a case of Scarlet has been admitted from Kirkwynd.5 At 4 D. operated on Mrs Scott from Whitfield6 + finding a tumour at the hepatic flexure of colon, made a short circuit of the ileum + transverse colon. The Patons7 were here at lunch + I dressed Isabella’s hand which had been scratched by her cat.
1 Walter Wilson (1888-1923), yarn store worker, died 10 April 1923, aged 35, at 7 Beechbank, Selkirk, of obstruction of gall duct 6 months certified by John S Muir M.B. &c. The son of Thomas Wilson, Co-operative Society Manager, and Janet Wilson née Stewart.
2 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
3 This is a peculiar comment. Dr Muir regularly used a velometer and quoted precise distances travelled. Such velometers appear to have been designed for specific wheel sizes and yet Dr Muir quoted a very precise reading for his trip into Roxburghshire the day before this comment (see diary entry for 9 April 1923).
4 The Editor assumes that this was another part of Dr Muir’s factory inspection routine.
5 Selkirk had suffered a prolonged outbreak of Scarlet fever and Diphtheria in 1921 and 1922 which, to judge by Dr Muir’s diary, was over by this time. Only time will tell if this occurrence was an outlier or a more serious outbreak.
6 Mrs Scott of Whitefield, Yarrow is so far unidentified.
7 Isabella Clementina ‘Isa’ Paton (1838-1929), had lived with her sister Marion Agnes Paton (about 1841-1940) at Galashiels since moving there from Selkirk in May 1918.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Weather i.s.q.1 dry : some sunshine + the bitterly cold N.E. wind. Made three town calls + cycled – on new Singer2 – to Kirkwynd3, Gibson + Lumgair4 + Shawpark.5 Then, starting about 12 I cycled to Denholm, Bedrule, Bonchester Bridge, Hobkirk, Hawthornside, + home by Horn’s Hole + Grundiston.6 I found the rear coaster brake very useful.7 My legs rather failed me + I had to walk several hills I have formerly ridden. I took a road from near Wills, via Billerwell, Hall Rule + Weens8 that I have only ridden one before, long ago with D.C.A.9 The roads were good but the cold wind rather spoilt ones enjoyment. I did about 41 miles altogether, actually 41.45.10
1In Status Quo, normally medical or scientific: in the same state; unchanged.
2 The Singer is Dr Muir’s new bicycle which had been delivered damaged to Stark & Murray in Selkirk. This appears to be Dr Muir’s first long ride on his repaired bicycle.
3 This may refer to Sally Moran née Muldoon (about 1830-1925) whom Dr Muir had attended at 35 Kirkwynd, Selkirk on 3 March 1923.
4 Dr Muir appears to have had a role in factory safety at Gibson & Lumgair, St Mary’s Mill, Level Crossing Road, Selkirk.
5 Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, an acquaintance of Dr Muir who was present when Boylan had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.
6 Denholm, grid reference NGR NT568,184, Bedrule, NT600,180, Bonchester Bridge, NT587,118, Hobkirk, NT586,108, Hawthornside, NT569,120, Hornshole, NT533,168 and Grundiston, NT497,201, very possibly reaching this last location via Appletreehall.
7 A coaster brake is a part of a rear hub for a bicycle which combines a ‘freewheel’ function (though it does not use the same system as a modern freewheel) and a ‘back brake’ activated by turning the pedals backwards. Cyclists used to hand-actuated brakes have been known to have problems on hire bikes in the Low Countries through inadvertently applying the back brake while trying to coast.
9 Assume David Carnegie Alexander, ‘Carnegie Alexander’ or ‘D.C.A.’ (1856-1928), solicitor; son of David Carnegie Alexander (about 1820-1881), solicitor, and Margaret Scott Alexander née Anderson, and cousin of David Carnegie Alexander (1882-1923), M.C., M.B., Ch.B., Captain R.A.M.C., medical practitioner, who had died 17 February 1923 at South Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
10 Dr Muir used a velometer, which explains the precise distances he records. In fact he must have had at two velometers because his Singer and the B.S.A. bicycles evidently had different size wheels. On 30 June 2019 Dr Muir noted “I have no Velometer for a 28 inch wheel”. The editor suggested at the time that it was a reasonable proposition that wheel size was a consideration in the accurate measurement of distance travelled pre-GPS, presuming that it counted rotations, and that the difference in wheel size would thus have rendered Dr Muir’s device unusable on his new bike. ‘Canadian Cycling’, 15 November 2018, helpfully describes the Veeder Cyclometer (made at Hartford, Connecticut), the one that Dr Muir used, and confirms that the operating principle was wheel revolutions [see also diary entry for 21 July 1919].
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Another very cold day but with a fair amount of sunshine. Rode my new Singer1 before breakfast down Elmrow to Shawpark2 gate + back, + in forenoon to Moat3, Henhouse4, Mill Street + Hospital. Liked it but the gear handle is not quite as easily manipulated as the B.S.A.5 Wrote Dora6, Agnes Logan7, Fanny McKenzie8 + sent Jean9 Dora’s letters. Went to evening service. Mrs Mack came10 to supper. Had to see Walt. Wilson11 late on as he was vomiting.
1 Dr Muir had ordered a Singer bicycle from Stark & Murray on or after 26 February 1923, see Dr Muir’s diary entry of that date.
2 Shawpark, Selkirk, home of John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, an acquaintance of Dr Muir who was present when Boylan had a heart attack on 11 March 1923.
3 The Moat, near Howden and S.S.W. of Selkirk, grid reference NGR NT458,268.
4 Henhouse is beyond the south end of Haining Loch, Selkirk, grid reference NT469,271.
5 Dr Muir had another Singer up to 1919 but then bought a B.S.A. In his diary for 21 July 1919 Dr Muir noted “Used my new B.S.A. with my red saddle + feel fairly at home.”
6 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter, had recently starting working at Tanta (طنطا or Ṭanṭa, Egypt), a city on the Nile Delta between Alexandria and Cairo.
7 Assume Agnes McIver Logan (about 1848-1928), daughter of Alexander Stuart Logan (1810-1862), advocate & Sheriff of Forfarshire and Agnes Logan née Greig (about 1813-1891), thus Dr Muir’s cousin.
8 Frances Gordon Ord ‘Fanny’ Mackenzie née Rennie (1864-1948), daughter of the Reverend James Rennie and Catherine Stewart Rennie née Muir.
9 Jane Henderson Logan ‘Jean’ Pike née Muir (1877-1941), Dr Muir’s eldest daughter, widowed and living in Edinburgh.
10 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk.
11 Dr Muir had been treating Walter Wilson (1888-1923) for a while. A yarn store worker, in the 1921 Census he was recorded, aged 33, at 6 Back Feus with his brothers Robert (1881-) and John (1884-). All three brothers worked for George Roberts & Co. Ltd., tweed manufacturers.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
It was not surprising to see a powdering of snow on the hills this morning but for all that, though it was decidedly cold, it wasn’t quite as sharp as yesterday. I went motoring for David1 to Whitefield2 (Scott who used to be at Howford Hill3), B’Meadows Cottage4, Newarkburn + Carterhaugh + then to Sprot Homes5 from which I sent Baptie6 to Lilliesleaf to ask if there were any messages but there were none. I made up the Combined Ledger + day book to March 31st + sent it to David as he apparently wants control of the whole thing. Helen7 walked to Middlestead.8
1 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), M.B., Ch.B., medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s business partner.
2 James Scott, shepherd, was Tenant Occupier not rated at Whitefield, Whitehope Farm, Yarrow, approximate grid reference NGR NT356,279.
3 Howford Hill, Kirkhope, property grid reference NT397,233.
4 Broadmeadows Cottage, Selkirk, grid reference NT411,302, home of John Brown known as Scott (about 1877-1923), ploughman, and Maggie Elizabeth Hawkins (1878-1933) who had married 10 June 1904 at the Manse, Lilliesleaf.
5 Six almshouses provided by the Miss Frances Sprot Trust endowed in 1881 by Miss Frances Sprot and formally known as the Miss Frances Sprot Homes.
6 Thomas Baptie (1860-1929), driver and handyman for Dr Muir.
7 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
A miserably cold sunless day quite like snow coming. David had a big day of operations 1 Effie Robertson, Muthag Street1 (appendix), then Mrs Gray [? Guay], Ashkirktown2 (breast) : Mrs Dalgleish, Gala3 [blank space] + finally Walt. Wilson at Beechbank4, whose gall bladder was opened + drained but no gallstones found. An anaesthetist from Edinburgh – Thomas5 – gave the last three, the anaesthetic in Walt Wilson’s case Oxygen + Nitrous Ox.6 Helen7 went to Edinburgh with Mrs Mack8 I saw town cases walking.
1 Euphemia ‘Effie’ Robertson (1897-), daughter of James Robertson, woollen yarn twiner at Gibson & Lumgair, and Elizabeth Robertson nee Douglas of 30 Muthag Street, Selkirk.
2 If this reads Gray or Guay it does not match an entry in the Ashkirk Valuation Rolls or the 1921 Census.
3 Mrs Dalgleish is unidentified.
4 The Editor cannot match a Walter Wilson to Beechbank although two such-named individuals were recorded at Selkirk in the 1921 Census.
5 The anaesthetist Thomas is unidentified.
6 Nitrous oxide had been part of anaesthetic practice for more than 60 years at this time so it is not immediately apparent why its use was worth comment except insofar as it differed from Dr Muir’s normal anaesthetic practice.
7 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
8 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]
Fished today which I have not for at least 2 if not 3 years. John Bell, Mill Street1, has often spoken of a day in Teviot so we got it fixed for today. Motored him to Jedburgh leaving at 9.30. There at his daughter Mrs Ingles’ he got his fishing gear2 + we went to Nisbet Bridge3 + fished above + below till 4 with an interval for lunch. It was a fine day but the E. wind was strong + cold + there was no rise on. I got 4 (in grayling) + Bell got 6 trout + grayling. I enjoyed the outing + found Teviot a finer water than I thought. Got home at 5.30. Saw Mrs Mack4 some of the take, John Bell having given me his.
1 John Bell, woollen warper for Gardiner & Sons, widowed, lived at Mill Street, Selkirk, with his son George Buller Bell (1900-) and daughters Ann ‘Annie’ Bell (1896-) and Agnes Bell (other children must have left home by 1921). His wife Agnes Bell née Bell died in 1914 [sources: 1921 Census and Statutory BMDs].
2 Jane Bell, another daughter of John Bell and Agnes Bell née Bell, had married Walter Ingles, journeyman baker, 10 August 1906 at Mill Street, Selkirk. By 1921 they were living at Duck Row, Jedburgh with three daughters.
Dry + coldish day with very little sunshine + sharp S.E.wind fairly strong at times. My new bike1 arrived at Stark + Murray2 with a nasty dent in the gear case + a stupid little carrier on the handle bar. Murray thinks he can do something for the former. I cycled (on B.S.A.3) to Shawpark, Ashybank, Spionkop, Faldonside + Whitmuirhall Toll.4 Sent my brown suit, Burberry + 2 hats to Turnbull to be cleaned. Helen5 cycled to see Mrs Kennedy, Melrose.6 Terrible erruption [sic] of tramps in evening.
1 Dr Muir had ordered a Singer bicycle from Stark & Murray on or after 26 February 1923, see Dr Muir’s diary entry of that date.
2 Stark & Murray of Selkirk looked after Dr Muir’s bicycles.
Dull Misty morning but a mild pleasant day with no rain nor sunshine. Felt nearly alright today + enjoyed my food. Cycled to Shawpark, Dunsdale, Ettrickhaugh Road &c. In afternoon arranged payment of accounts: banked [gap] for M & G.1 Drew £100 for myself: paid £175 less 6/8 for Esparto Paper Mill2 shares. Delightful letter from Dora.3 The natives4 have Nick-named her “the thick one”. Helen5 cycled to Melrose + went to the Pictures with Nancy6, Barbara7 + Mrs Mack.8
1 The Muir & Graham medical co-partnery.
2 The Esparto Paper Mills Company was formed in 1923 with a capital of £1,500,000 to take over the business of the Carron Grove Paper Co. though it was itself taken over by Inveresk Group less than two years later and the Carrongrove brand restored [Falkirk Local History Society ‘Carrongrove Mill’, accessed 2023.01.29].
3 Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter.
4 Dora had recently starting working at Tanta (طنطا or Ṭanṭa, Egypt), a city on the Nile Delta between Alexandria and Cairo.
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.
7 Andrina Henderson ‘Barbara’ Roberts, later Twhigg (1902-1996), Nancy’s eldest daughter thus Dr Muir’s eldest grandchild.
8 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]
Damp cold sunless calm + some drizzling rain in forenoon. Still troubled with dyspepsia + didn’t eat much till Helen1 + I dined at Elmpark when I enjoyed some nice hot soup, curried eggs + a perfect custard pudding. Mrs Mack2 as usual loaded me with gifts = a doz. eggs : bottle of port : cake of shortbread + a set of clock golf!3 Motored to Cannon Street, Beechwood, Newarkburn + Moat. David4 came up + we adjusted several matters.
1 Helen Frances ‘Mousey’ Muir (1880-1963), Dr Muir’s third daughter and sometime housekeeper.
2 Agnes Mackintosh née Watson, formerly Harper (1859-1946), of Elm Park, Selkirk. Her generosity towards Dr Muir was so great that at one time that he regularly described Elm Park as “The Magic Cave”.
3 A putting game where a player hits shots into a single hole at the centre of the 12 points of the clock, supposed to have been invented by Jaques of London.
4 David Charteris ‘Dav.’ Graham (1889-1963), medical practitioner and Dr Muir’s co-partner.
[Source: Scottish Borders Archives & Local History Service SBA/657/26, Dr J S Muir of Selkirk, medical practitioner, journal for 1923]
Rumbling Clint's Scottish Notes 