Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1907-04-06
SWlTZERLAND'S
PENAL PARADISE.

Special Correspondence.
Geneva, March 2S.--Alnericsl has pro-
vlded some spicy prison scandals but
none of them that can recall fur
nishes a parallel 70 that which has just
been brought to light in this model little
republic, 1t Is nothing less than 1hs
discovery of yeritable convicts' para
disc where the inmates We're treated
rather as guests at AN hotel than as
prisoners engaged in expiating their
crimes by doing time They Jared
sumptuously were allowed 10 indulge
IN All sorts OF recreation within the
walls OF the institution, from gambling
To bowls, We're permitted to visit places
OF amusement In search OF other de-
lights and We're subjected to no il'rltat-
Ing discipline To obtain the funds
necessary TO defTRy tho cost OF this lux.
llriou life the more expert OF the thieves
and nickpockeis We're granted leave Of
absence from time 10 time In which 10
ply their nefarions caliings The only
condition Imposed upon them WAS that
they should allow their jailers II liberal
rake off" on the proceeds Of their
booty
IL IS ;he prison OF Thorberg near the
Town of Wassen which has thus been
revealed as a penal elysium That
prisoners should ever endeavor to es-
cape from such delightful retreat
seems incredible. Yet II Is the arrest OF
two men on that charge which has led
TO such amazing revelations concern
ing Tho berg prison The c0nVcts ARE
named Grunder and Gerber They
were caught AT Randersta& With lot
Of swag upon them, They both vehe-
ment.y denied that they had tried to
Escape. 1T does not follow because we
are thieves that we ave fools" said
Gerber, "Nyhy should we want TO es-
cape from place Ike that Ii Is the
most comfofta BILE quarters we have ever
occupied. We intended when we had
served ouT sentences 10 do something
that WctAd lat us back there as soon
as possible"
They snid that they we're returning
10 t,lc jail when they vera arrested,
The funds OF the Institution had been
EnnuIng low and they bad been granted
Leave or bsence that they might re-
plcnlsh tho pleasure eXchequeT They
had been cut a week and In that time
had secured the 0ntlre Elnnlentha val-
ley. had successfully pulled off hale n
dozen burglertes aud picked something
Ike score of pockets They were AN
tlcpeting u high old time IN ThOrberg's
hosptable walls, % be paid fol With
couple OF policemen who We're Ignorant
OF tho priyiles rs accorded the inmates
o. THAI rcnpngSuble Institution. fcli foul
Of then-
AS thc men described IL DO the exam
lining magistrate. The NE led by tho
fortunate onnNlctr OF Thprberg was reg
ublted according TO This schedulos
y in---Rlse; receive. hot wafer from
a warderi clean ellis.
a NJ re1 kfDqt Consisting az cns.
fee. milk. ,0t rolls aud a lldleur.
TO - a, M Cards games OF bowls
IN The prison yards other recreatlons.
Noon--Dirnsr consisting OF soup. a
roast with vegetables plnin swsot,
coffee, With HqneuT Wine.
Afternoon Walk through the town;
Visit 10 The cafes or an excursion IniO
lhe mOtlntaiIs
% D m,--sppper. followed by smoke,
ana more pumes OF cards.
p, M Retire,
Grunder seid that he had frequently
been sent To NisFsen by the chief @drt-
er tn puruh0se supplies for rhe ThOrhf y
reyels and h.ll always faithfully cgr-
Tlrd en- the commissions enrrJSted 10
stm An'l he u never failed IL rpiuril 10
The jall. o.. Gle occasion he han flr-
Foiten the order Aiven him n buy soma
schnappT. fle vas sent Ia Nasecc again
next day and b. ought back couple ~
Grarl Elitlcs, ore ~ whlch seprcsgNLcl
i.le chlrf raifrr's share When on such
arr,ths W. EtG Frequently met other
cpnMcls slroillnB abouL Nome " ihein
ever thought Il taking adyaniRsa q.
rhelr libsriy ~ ran away Thuy all
looked forward 70 the 'Nplr lDn "
their So Ionces wltt regret no declared.
TeGhnicniis. however, Grunder ana
Gerber AlA sscape from .he SsIl ANA no
louhi viii Ia sen; back 20 n s-iti sew
rrll months heded 10 Ihelr terms or
imprisonment They WIFE Ilud Il ne,
formed ,,hcrbeig apd IL wall lAyo 10
further charms fol them.