A little frost last [?] arrested the thaw + very little melted during the day although there was some sunshine. It got colder + duller in afternoon + a few flakes of snow were lazily falling. S.E. [wind] i walked to see Dorothy Barrie¹ (who went home), Elizabeth Goodfellow² (whom I sent to Viewfield), Linglie Mill, Bridgelands (Agnes Rodger³, Miss Scott⁴ + Mrs James Hardie⁵) + Hospital. Got a letter from Julia Pringle⁶ who has been ill with boils. Tidied up a lot of the loose literature + papers in my room.

¹ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow and had been in Viewfield Nursing home since January 1923.

² This may refer to Lizzie Mary Hogg née Goodfellow (1888-1963), daughter of George Pott Aitchison Goodfellow, agricultural labourer, and Eliza Goodfellow née Harkness who had married 1866 at Hutton and Corrie, Dumfriesshire. Lizzie was born at Cutcarwood, Yarrow and stayed there with her family until at least the 1901 Census, she may well be the Lizzie Goodfellow aet 22, working as a “housemaid domestic” for John V Lindsay at Whitehope, Yarrow, 1911 Census and she married William Hogg (at that time serving in France) on 4 October 1917 at Yarrowfeus; however, in spite of her marriage, by 1922 she appears to have been styling herself Minnie Goodfellow and occupying a house ‘Planting’ at Yarrowfeus, Yarrow; she died 6 June 1963 at Selkirk Cottage Hospital, usual residence Thornfield basement, Selkirk [parents’ marriage: 1866, 831/ 2, Hutton and Corrie; 1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/390, Selkirk County, page 390 of 611].

³ Agnes Christina Rodger (1875-1959), daughter of George Rodger and Elizabeth Charlotte Rodger née Eck, see also Dr Muir’s diary for 20 January 1919 diary (“Agnes Rodger called at night to say good bye as she goes back to India about the 27th”).

⁴ Miss Scott is unidentified.

⁵ Margaret Nicholson née Hardie (about 1843-1926), widow of James Hardie, who was Inhabitant Occupier not rated at Bridgelands Lodge, Galashiels, 1920 Valuation Roll.

⁶ There is a good chance that this refers to Dr Julia Letitia Pringle (1878-1960), M.B. Ch.B., who studied medicine at the Medical College for Women, Edinburgh, graduating in 1903. Her wartime service appears to have commenced with her signing of a form for the Medical Recruiting Scheme 1916 in which her details are, in summary “Dr Julia Letitia Pringle, MB ChB Edinburgh, of Wellington Street, Dundee, serving on the General Practitioner Panel.” [see also Dr Muir’s diary entry for 23 February 1919].

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

Calmer today + the snow that had fallen during the night was lying on trees &c but the frost had gone + there was a gradual thaw. Roads slushy : no fall. One or two glints of sunshine. I motored to Bridgelands to see Agnes Rodger¹ who had hurt her knee + Miss Scott² Saw some town cases walking but finished by 1. Helen³, Dora⁴ + Miss Wallace⁵ went to “The Edge of Beyond” in Victoria Hall.⁶ News came of Dav. Alexander’s death.⁷

¹ Agnes Christina Rodger (1875-1959), daughter of George Rodger and Elizabeth Charlotte Rodger née Eck, see also Dr Muir’s diary for 20 January 1919 diary (“Agnes Rodger called at night to say good bye as she goes back to India about the 27th”).

² Miss Scott is unidentified.

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.

⁵ It is not yet possible to identify Miss Wallace.

⁷ David Carnegie Alexander (1882-1923), M.B., Ch.B. Ed. 1905, medical practitioner, died 17 February 1923 at South Palm Beach, Florida. Born Selkirk, he had seen service in the First World War and later moved to the United States.

⁶ Gertrude Eliza Page (1872-1922), romantic comedy novelist sometimes known as “The Kipling of Rhodesia”. She published numerous novels including ‘Mysterious Strangers’, 1902, ‘The Rhodesian’, 1912, ‘At Daggers Drawn’ and ‘The Edge of Beyond’, 1908. Her ‘Paddy the Next Best Thing’, also 1908, was shown in a dramatised version at the Victoria Hall, Selkirk, see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 13 January 1922.

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

We are not going to escape wind. When I looked out at 7.45 the roads + pavements were quite dry which they haven’t been for a fortnight. Presently a flake or two of snow came lazily down + by 9 o’clock there was a heavy fall of dry, drifting snow + a S.E. wind. It went on till afternoon. There must have been five or six inches of snow. I saw only 4 cases + went to church + again at night. Jack, Nancy¹ + Dav.² came to supper. I had no messages. Dorothy Barrie³ improving.

¹ John ‘Jack’ Roberts junior (1876-1966) and Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), Dr Muir’s married daughter.

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

³ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow and had been at Viewfield Nursing Home.

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

Weather the same only a good deal colder. Cutting S.E. wind. Made 17 calls walking including Brown, Cannon Street.¹

¹ Joseph Brown (about 1862-), spinner, was tenant of a house in Cannon Street, Selkirk. Born Selkirk, he was recorded in the 1921 Census living with his wife Christine (about 1867-), born Bathgate, Linlithgow, and children James (1898-) and Catherine Stewart (1904-) [1923, Valuation Rolls VR011700009-/435, Selkirk County, page 435 of 605; 1921 Census, 59, 778/ 11/ 6, Selkirk County].

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

Wet all day : calm dull + damp. Feeling better I did a town list walking. Gave Chlor[form] at the Home¹ for a circum + umbilical Hernia in same kid Stalker, Dunsdale Cottages.² Made 17 calls including Ettrick Mill + Bridgelands + later Boylan, Shawpark who is pretty lame with rheumatic [illegible] in leg.³ Dorothy Barrie improving.⁴

¹ The medical co-partnership undertook a range of surgical procedures at Viewfield.

² Adam Stevenson Stalker, mill engineer, and Elizabeth McGill Stalker née Clark, married 1907 at Govan, lived at Ettrick Mill Cottages with their six children, of whom the patient will have been one of Adam Stevenson (1908-), Donald (1911-), Jessie Clark (1912-), Elizabeth Yates (6), Robert (1916-) or Christina Clark (1918-) – and probably the last of these [Census, 1921, 778/ 7/ 15, page 15 of 29; parents’ marriage, 1907, 646 / 2 / 400, Govan].

³ John Dun Boylan (1850-1924), civil engineer, voluble friend of Dr Muir, lived at Shawpark, Selkirk [1921 Census and 1922 Valuation Roll, VR011700009-/375, Selkirk County, page 375 of 611].

⁴ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow.

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

It is still absolutely calm + there is very little difference in the appearance of the trees +c but the streets are sleety. There was more of thaw + by evening the trees were quite bare of snow. I kept my bed till about 3 when I had to attend Mrs Thomas Riddell (Connie Wallis), Tait’s Hill¹ – primip – whom I had not expected till April. She was better at 4.30.

¹ Thomas Riddell (1923-), son of Thomas Riddell, woollen millworker, and Constance Ruby ‘Connie’ Riddell née Wallis, married 29 December 1922 at Selkirk [birth, 1923, 778 / 9, Selkirk; parents’ marriage, 1922, 778 / 40, Selkirk].

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

It was a great surprise this morning to find everything covered with snow. There had been heavy [?] fall + every twig was snow encrusted. There wasn’t a breath of wind + the trees remained at night as they were in the morning. Feeling my cold I kept bed all day. David¹ had to go to Altrieve² + (luckily before going) a message down to Dalgleishhope³ which turned out to be a boy Murray about 14 with appendicitis.⁴ He was brought down to the Home + went across at 10 + gave the anaesthetic.

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

² Altreive, Yarrow, grid reference NGR NT28613,22575.

³ Dalgleishhope, Ettrick, indicative grid reference NGR NT25210,08780.

⁴ Murray is unidentified.

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

Cold calm drizzling dull sunless S.E. no drouth. Had very small list. Saw Dorothy Barrie¹ : improving. Mrs Brown² + Miss Donald³ were here at tea. The latter is going to Egypt with Dora⁴. Gave gas at Viewfield for tonsils. Went to Congregational meeting (annual) where the re-dedication of the church was considered. Couldn’t hear the speakers. Felt a cold coming on.

¹ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow.

² Margaret Meikle ‘Peggy’ Brown née Donald (1885-1960), nurse, had married, 17 September 1918 at Ashwood, Galashiels, Lieutenant James Douglas Brown (1888-1944), see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 17 September 1918.

³ Miss Donald appears to be Isabella Smillie Donald (1876-1956), nurse, sister of Mrs Peggy Brown. Born Greenock, Renfrewshire, sometime of Ashwood, Galashiels, she travelled to Egypt with Dora Muir on 2 March 1923 [see Dr Muir’s diary entry for 1 March 1923].

⁴ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter.

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

Drizzling most of the day : dull calm foggy. Made 19 calls in the town walking. Dorothy Barrie’s¹ temperature normal at night + 100^o at night. Pulse 74. This was Dora’s 41^st birthday.² Kennedy³ called + had a glass of port + we drank Dora’s health. Mrs Crichton was buried today but I couldn’t go so sent Crichton a card.

¹ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow.

² Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter.

³ William Nicol Watson Kennedy (1888-1961), O.B.E., M.D., D.P.E., medical officer of health and school medical officer for Selkirkshire circa 1921 but by June 1921 recorded in a similar role in Croydon, Surrey (1921 Census taken 19 June 1921).

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

Weather like yesterday: slight E. wind + continuous, but not heavy, rain. Very dreary. Had very little to do. Dorothy Barrie¹ much easier. Temp. 99^o + slept 4½ hours. Went to forenoon service = Communion : large turnout. Had [illegible text]. Walked over to Cannon Street + called for poor Mrs Brown² who has been told she must keep one of her girls at home or have 10/- taken off her of Aliment of 25/- but as her daughter works + makes 15/- at mill³ she has to let her go on. Went to evening service + supped at Wellwood.⁴ Both Helen⁵ + Dora⁶ were at Communion.

¹ This appears to be Christina Dorothy Barrie (1904-1994) who lived at Sundhope, Yarrow and had been in Viewfield Nursing home since January 1923 but has just returned home.

² Mrs Margaret White Brown née Philips (1882-), head of household, ‘D’ (? divorced or deserted) on “Home Duties” with two daughters, see footnote 3, and also boarders [1921 Census] Arthur Philips “brother” an electric crane driver at Wigham Richardson shipbuilders at Newcastle-upon-Tyne (merged 1903 with Swan and Hunter specifically to bid for the prestigious contract to build the R.M.S. Mauretania which they won, creating a liner which held the Blue Riband – for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic – for 20 years and was to be the largest liner ever built on the River Tyne).

³ Jenny Brown (about 1907-), aged 14, born Maine State, U.S.A. and working in the pattern department at Heather Mills, though there is also a younger sister Margaret White ‘Peggy’ Brown (1908-), scholar, aged 13 [1921 Census], born 21 May 1908 at Bridge Street, Selkirk [Statutory BMDs]. The father was Albert Brown, power loom turner (perhaps working at Worumbo Mill), domicile Lisbon Falls, Androscoggin County, Maine, U.S.A, and the parents had married 17 January 1906 at Skowhegan, Somerset County, Maine.

⁴ Wellwood, Ettrick Terrace, Selkirk, home of Dr Muir’s daughter Agnes Amelia ‘Nancy’ Roberts née Muir (1878-1948), wife of John Roberts junior.

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

⁶ Andrina Dorothy ‘Dora’ Muir (1882-1978), nurse and Dr Muir’s youngest daughter.

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