"CENTRAL PRISON MEETING: FAREWELL TO COL. PUGMIRE," Toronto Globe. January 18, 1913. Page 9.
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HIGH TRIBUTE PAID BY WARDEN TO HIS WORK AND THAT OF THE ARMY.
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Dr. Gilmour, Warden of the Central Prison of Toronto, paid a high tribute to the work of the Salvation Army, when presiding over a farewell meeting in the Central Prison to Lieut.-Col. Pugmire, late Prison Secretary of the Salvation Army here, who is being transferred to England.
"It was about thirteen years ago," said the warden, "when the Colonel came to see me about starting Salvation Army work in connection with this institution. I was ill in bed at the time, but I could not refuse to see him, and on that day I had the pleasure of handing him a letter of introduction to most of the wardens in the Dominion. The Colonel has visited prisons and penitentiaries, but I think I can say, like Charles Dickens said of David Copperfield, that the child of his love has been the Central Prison. (Applause.) We have learned to love him and respect him and the uniform he wears.
"I remember that when Commander Eva Booth was in charge of the army's work in Canada she went to see Sir Wilfrid Laurier, who at that time was the Premier. After the interview Sir Wilfrid said: 'Commander, I should like you to come to my house to-night, to dine with Lady Laurier and myself.' The commander bowed and said: 'I suppose, Sir Wilfrid, you would wish me to take off these regimentals if I came.' Sir Wilfrid (who is, as is well known, a member of the Catholle church) replied: 'Oh, no; I want you to wear your uniform, for I respect it and the work you are doing. It is because of the army's disregard of class or creed that we love the officers who are working with us in this prison. And whether a man is an Anglican, a Catholic, a Methodist, or anything else, all the army asks is: 'Is he In need of help, and can we help him?' (Cheers.)
"They say that 1913 is to be an unlucky year, but I am not at all superstitious. However, nothing more unlucky for us could have happened than the farewell of Colonel Pugmire. I feel my loss, and in conclusion I would wish the Colonel's successor, Colonel Rees, every success."
At a little farewell supper which followed, the warden made the following significant remarks regarding the work of the Salvation Army among the prisoners:
"I would freely confess that I would not want to be in charge of this prison for 24 hours If I had not the help of the Salvation Army."