If you’ve been on our Worst of the Worthies tour, you will already have been introduced to one of Dundee’s worthies in the form of Blind Bob, who was a poor soul, originally having hailed from Aberdeen but had lost everything he ever cherished over the years and fell into a spiral of alcoholism and became a permanent resident of the Dundee East Poorhouse.
His story was sad, but he was also an absolute hoot of a character who loved playing his tin whistle on the streets to entertain the adults and kids alike…until things started to go downhill for him and he began drinking more than he was playing on his “whussle”. His exaggerated mannerisms and insistence on only speaking broad Doric made him a firm favourite in the courtroom with the Bailies and the public alike, who loved a good laugh to break up a dull day in court.
On the tour, we spoke about some of Bob’s appearances, but, as you could imagine, it was barely a snapshot of his time in the town. With that in mind, here are some more of Bob’s courtroom capers that we didn’t get to tell you on the tour that made the local newspapers.
Dundee Evening Telegraph, Wednesday 19th September 1900:
“A POOR BLIND CREATURE.”
“WOULD DIE IN PRISON.
Robert Murray, street musician of no fixed abode, was charged – before Bailie Urquhart, at Dundee Police Court to-day – with having committed a breach of the peace in High Street, Lochee. Robert said he pleaded guilty, “under great aggravation.” He said that he had played for three hours on the night in question, and during all that time was greatly annoyed by the children, who were chased away by the policemen over 100 times. It was stated that Robert was convicted for a similar offence in 1897, ana he put forward as a plea for being leniently dealt with. On referring to the conviction book it was found that he had been charged with drunkenness on 28th June last, and that this was his 23d appearance. Robert pleaded earnestly to be allowed to go on this occasion, promising to take the pledge, go the Poorhouse and never to come back. He said he was a poor blind creature, and at present was in very bad health – in fact if he was sent to prison he would die. In answer to the Magistrate, he said he played a penny whistle. Bailie Urquhart said he had no doubt Murray intended to keep his promises, but he could do so after he came out of prison. He would have to go there for ten days.”
Dundee Evening Post, Monday 5th May 1902:
“BLIND MAN ON THE SPREE.
Thomas Murray, pedlar, a blind man, pleaded guilty at Dundee Police Court to-day to having assaulted a police constable in Saturday night. It appeared that about nine o’clock on Saturday night the accused was outrageously drunk. A constable appeared on the scene, and advised him to go away, but he would not take the advice. Then in a fury he rushed at the constable, kicked him on the legs and struck him several blows with his fist. Several citizens assisted the officer, and the blind man was apprehended. Thomas had been previously convicted of breach of the peace and Bailie Stevenson imposed a fine of £2, with the option of thirty days in prison.”
Dundee Evening Post, Tuesday 19th May 1903:
“A rather dull Police Court was relieved by an amusing case which came up last on the roll today. Robert Murray, a blind street musician and a bit of a character, was charged with being drunk and incapable in Temple Lane on Monday.
With his face to the bench, Robert, in a clear, loud voice and broad Doric, said ‘Bailie Melville, the last time I was before you I was dismissed to the Poorhouse. I went, and I came out yesterday. I went awa’ and took a hauf. I had nae business to do it, Bailie Melville. I’ve been five months in, and if you lat me awa’, I’ll gae straucht back, an’ it’ll be anither five months or I come oot. I hae the claes on yet!’
The Baillie – If I dismiss you will you go back?
Murray – Yes, Bailie Melville, I’ll go back and suffer.
The Baillie – Is it suffering in the Poorhouse?
Murray – No noo I was weel keepit an’ richt clean.
“Then go back at once,” said the Bailie.
Robert raised his hands above his head and in a stentorian voice cried, “God bless you, Bailie Melville,” and left the Court amid much laughter.
Dundee Evening Post, Thursday 21st May 1903:
“BLIND BOB AGAIN.
Gets drunk on Methylated Spirits.
Robert Murray, the blind street musician who created a lively scene at Dundee Police Court on Tuesday, was again brought before the Court having been found drunk and incapable on the street on Wednesday night.
“I’m no’ guilty, Bailie Melville; hoo could I be drunk when a’ the places were shut?” said the accused. The prosecutor asked for an adjournment of the case till Saturday.
“Oh, I’ll tak wi’t, an’ plead guilty,” said Robert.
Mr Carmichael – He puts a plea of not guilty because the public houses were closed yesterday. When he was brought to the office an empty bottle that had contained methylated spirits was found in his possession. He was dismissed by your honour the other day on his promising to go to the Poorhouse. He was taken over to the offices of the Parish Council, but he escaped from the constables.
“Oh, be as canny as you can, Bailie,” remarked the accused.
The Bailie said that he was one of those habituals that it was impossible to know what to do with. He would keep him out of harm’s way for a time by sending him to prison for a month, failing payment of a fine of 40s.”
Dundee Evening Post, 29th March 1904:
“BLIND BOB” AGAIN.
“TURNS ON HIS TORMENTORS AND THEN FINDS HIMSELF IN COURT.
Poor, Blind Robert Murray had been almost twelve months in the Poorhouse, but unfortunately he came out yesterday to get a bit tobacco. So he said as he stood before the Police Court of Dundee to-day, charged with having assaulted a boy with a walking stick in the Overgate on Monday night.
“Weel, Bailie,” he said in his pawky Doric, “I did strike the boy, but it was the bairns that bathered me. I was angry, for they burned my breeks wi’ matches. You see, I was playing my whistle on the street. I shouldna hae been playing, but if you lat me awa’ Ill gae straucht back to the Poorhouse, and I’ll never come back here again.”
Mr Dewar said that Robert was the worse for drink and was being tormented by the youngsters. Swinging his stick round his head he struck a boy.
“Go back to the Poorhouse,” said the Bailie.
“Yes; I’ll go across at once and get a line. God bless you, Bailie Henderson.”
If you haven’t been on our Worst of the Worthies tour yet, join us (23rd Apr – 30th May 2026) to hear Bob’s story, as well as several other Dundee worthies!
