John Schrank

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John Schrank
John Schrank (October 15, 1912)
Born
Johann Nepomuk Schrank[1]

(1876-03-05)March 5, 1876
Erding, Kingdom of Bavaria, German Empire
DiedSeptember 15, 1943(1943-09-15) (aged 67)
Waupun, Wisconsin, United States
Other namesJohann[2]: 6 
CitizenshipGerman (1876-1885)
American (1897-1943)
OccupationSaloonkeeper
Known for1912 Attempted assassination of Theodore Roosevelt

John Flammang Schrank (March 5, 1876 – September 15, 1943) also known as Johann, was a German-American tavern owner from Bavaria who attempted to assassinate former President Theodore Roosevelt outside of the Gilpatrick Hotel in Milwaukee on October 14, 1912. Schrank was a wealthy man who claimed to have visions telling him that he had to stop Theodore Roosevelt from being elected to a third term as President of the United States. His assassination attempt was not successful; he was captured after shooting Roosevelt and adjudicated insane.

Schrank had hallucinations and claimed that the ghost of assassinated US President William McKinley told him that Roosevelt was his murderer, and the ghost asked Schrank to avenge his death. After his failed assassination attempt he was captured and he pleaded guilty to shooting Roosevelt before Judge August C. Backus in Milwaukee Municipal Court. Judge Backus appointed a panel to determine if Schrank was mentally fit. The panel decided that Schrank was insane and in November 1912, he was committed to the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane: while there, he had no visitors and received no mail.

Early life[edit]

Schrank was born in Erding, Kingdom of Bavaria, on March 5, 1876.[3][4] The Herald-Press stated that his birth certificate listed him as John Nepomuk Schrank.[1] His parents were Michael and Catharine Schrank and when John was a young boy his father Michael died of consumption. He also had a sister and brother who died in infancy.[2] He had an aunt on his mother's side who suffered from delusions and was committed to an asylum.[5]: 192  In Bavaria, he lived with his grandparents from the age of three to nine years old. At thirteen years old he went to America by boat, without his family. When he arrived in New York he lived with his uncle and aunt, Dominik and Anne Flamming; they operated a tavern.[2]

Schrank was raised as a Roman Catholic and went to public school in Bavaria from the age of seven to twelve.[5]: 192  He learned English and read history books while in New York, learning the language while taking night classes.[6]: 51 [7]: 257  He became a naturalized citizen on July 23, 1897.[8]

In 1901, Schrank stated that he may have experienced a hallucination when he thought he saw the recently assassinated US President William McKinley indicating to him that he should kill Theodore Roosevelt.[6]: 51  He claimed that the ghost of McKinley told him that Roosevelt was his murderer and it asked Schrank to avenge his death.[9] He may have also had other hallucinations regarding the death of a woman who he claimed was his fiancée.[6] Her name was Elsie Ziegler, she was seventeen years old, and she died in a fire on the PS General Slocum steamboat on June 15, 1904.[2]: 7, 8  The woman's brother denied that Schrank was ever engaged and said that his sister was only casually acquainted with Schrank.[10]: 304  Schrank would later say, "I never had a friend in my life, except for one girl who was killed in a steamship accident."[11]

After the death of his uncle in 1910, he inherited the tavern and several properties in New York. He sold the properties for US$25,000 (equivalent to $817,500 in 2023) and became forlorn and depressed.[6]: 51  He was described as a disconnected and awkward man who did not associate with other people.[10]

Assassination attempt[edit]

John Schrank after his arrest in Milwaukee (1912)
Main article: Attempted assassination of Theodore Roosevelt

Schrank claimed that he had another hallucination on September 15, 1912, about killing former President Theodore Roosevelt. After his second hallucination, he purchased a $14 (equivalent to $442 in 2023) .38 caliber Colt revolver and began stalking Roosevelt. He first followed Roosevelt to New Orleans by steamship.[12] He brought $300 with him. When he could not kill Roosevelt he stated that he followed him to Charleston, South Carolina, Atlanta Georgia, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Evansville, Indiana, Indianapolis and Chicago.[3] He followed Roosevelt for 24 days, and he found that at each place there were complications that prevented him from getting access to Roosevelt.[12] He said that in Chattanooga, he was within 10 ft (3.0 m) of Roosevelt but he was too nervous to shoot.[12] He claimed that for at least part of his trip, he traveled under the name Walter Roos. Schrank then learned that Roosevelt would next go to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, so he went there to wait. He learned that Roosevelt would be at the Gilpatrick Hotel at 223 Third Street[3] so he waited across the street from the hotel at Herman Rollfink's saloon. He began drinking beer and told the bartender that he was a journalist.[2]: 167 

Schrank went to the Gilpatrick at 5:45 pm and stood among a crowd that had gathered. Roosevelt arrived and went to his suite to rest; he also ate a meal before his scheduled speech in Milwaukee. At 7:00 pm Schrank went back to the saloon across the street and waited.[2]: 170  There was a band at Rollfink's saloon and Schrank requested that they play "The Star-Spangled Banner"; he danced while they played the song.[13] The bartender was a man named Paul Thume and he said Schrank bought each of the musicians in the band a drink. Witnesses at Rollfink's said Schrank was quiet and pleasant. Right before he left he bought everyone a drink.[7]

At approximately 8:00 pm Schrank crossed the street and blended in with the crowd to wait for Roosevelt to emerge.[13] When Roosevelt emerged from the Gilpatrick Hotel at 8:10 pm, he climbed into a waiting convertible. He initially sat down but a crowd that had gathered cheered and Roosevelt stood up and raised his hat to acknowledge them. Schrank then pushed through the crowd and aimed his pistol at Roosevelt's chest. He shot Roosevelt at point-blank range and after the shot, he appeared ready to fire again, with his pistol still raised. Schrank was then tackled by Roosevelt's stenographer Elbert E. Martin who also wrested the gun away. Roosevelt remained calm and Schrank was captured. The crowd began to call for Schrank's lynching but Roosevelt asked them to stop. People did not realize that Roosevelt had been harmed by the shot. Someone asked Roosevelt if he had been hurt and he remarked, "Oh no, missed me that time. I'm not hurt a bit."[14][15][13]

Roosevelt did not seek medical attention and he went on to his speaking arrangement at the Milwaukee Auditorium after being shot. His opening comments to the gathered crowd were, "I don't know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot, but it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose."[16] Roosevelt then told the crowd, "The bullet went in here–I will show you." He then opened his vest and showed the bloody stain which had spread from his right breast to his waist.[5]: 27  He spoke for 50 minutes before completing his speech and accepting medical attention.[16] After the speech Roosevelt was taken to a hospital emergency room in Milwaukee where he had x-rays taken.[11] Roosevelt decided to take the midnight train to Chicago and while on the train he got the news about the x-ray.[12] The doctors determined that Schrank's bullet had traveled upward 4 in (100 mm) and it broke Roosevelt's fourth rib on his right side.[11][14] When Roosevelt arrived in Chicago he checked into Mercy Hospital.[5]: 64  He was not more seriously wounded because the bullet first had to pass through his fifty-page speech which had been folded in half, and his spectacle case.[12]

Arrest[edit]

Schrank was arrested and he initially refused to give his name.[3] In questioning he eventually gave his name and confessed to the crime. Sergeant Robert Flood asked him why he did it, and he said, "I did it because I was opposed to the third term. Don't talk to me, I will not say anything until tomorrow, for I want to sleep."[17] The Milwaukee Sentinel published a special edition on October 15, 1912, with the headline, "Insane Man Shoots Roosevelt".[18] After his arrest, Schrank insisted that he was not insane. He said that God had selected him to receive visions and he was motivated to prevent Roosevelt from becoming a king.[14] Authorities found papers in Schrank's possession which showed that he had been stalking Roosevelt.[14] After one week in jail, the Milwaukee Sheriff ordered Schrank to bathe regularly. There were complaints about his offensive body odor and reports that he did not like to bathe. Because of the smell, the sheriff also ordered Schrank's clothes destroyed.[7]

Legal proceedings[edit]

John Schrank being escorted to court (1912)

On October 15, 1912, at 10:35 am, Schrank made his first arraignment appearance before Judge N. B. Neelen. He admitted that he had shot Roosevelt and was held with bail set at $7,500 (equivalent to $236,793 in 2023).[17] There were rumors about people who might bail him out of jail to make a movie, so his bail was later raised to $15,000 (equivalent to $473,586 in 2023).[8]

Schrank's next court appearance was on November 12, 1912, at 10:00 am; he appeared in court before Judge August C. Backus for a preliminary hearing. Schrank pleaded guilty.[5]: 12  He was charged with shooting with the intent to kill, which carried a maximum sentence of 15 years. In court, Schrank stated, "I plead guilty to shooting the man. I did not intend to kill citizen Roosevelt. I intended to kill Theodore Roosevelt the third-termer".[19] Instead of accepting the plea, the judge decided to appoint a panel which was referred to as a "Sanity Commission" to determine whether Schrank was mentally fit. The panel consisted of Dr. F. C. Studley, Dr. W. F. Becker, Dr. Richard Dewey, Dr. W. F. Wegge, and Dr. D. W. Harrington. Schrank was sent back to the jail and the court made plans to have a second preliminary hearing at 2:00 pm. The court assigned James G. Flanders to be Schrank's attorney. At 2:00 pm the physicians were told that they were charged with determining whether or not Shrank was, "insane at the present time".[5]

On November 14, 1912, the Sanity Commission began its evaluation of Schrank. They said he was right-handed, 5.45 ft (1.66 m) tall without shoes and he weighed 160 pounds (73 kg) wearing his clothing. He had blonde hair and his eyes were described as bluish-gray.[5]: 193  They noted that his jailer described him as a quiet, fastidious and cheerful man.[5]: 208  They concluded their report dated November 22, 1912, by saying,[5]: 212 

Our conclusions are as follows:

  1. First—John Schrank is suffering from insane delusions, grandiose in character, and of the systematized variety.
  2. Second—In our opinion he is insane at the present time.
  3. Third—On account of the connection existing between his delusions and the act with which he stands charged, we are of the opinion that he is unable to confer intelligently with counsel or to conduct his defense.

When Shrank appeared before Judge Backus on November 22, 1912, Judge Backus stated,[5]: 105, 106 

The court now finds that the defendant John Schrank is insane, and therefore incapacitated to act for himself. It is Therefore Ordered and Adjudged, that the defendant John Schrank be committed to the Northern Hospital for the Insane, near Oshkosh, in the county of Winnebago, state of Wisconsin, until such time when he shall have recovered from such insanity, when he shall be returned to this court for further proceedings according to law. And it is Further Ordered, that all proceedings in this case be stayed indefinitely and until such recovery.

On November 25, 1912, Schrank was committed to the Northern Hospital for the Insane in Waupun, Wisconsin.[20] In a December 16, 1912, letter from Theodore Roosevelt to journalist John St. Loe Strachey, Roosevelt wrote that Schrank was not a madman, but had a "disordered brain which most criminals, and a great many non criminals, have".[21]

While incarcerated, Schrank was pleased that Theodore Roosevelt did not win a third term. When US President Franklin D. Roosevelt won a third term in the 1940 United States presidential election Schrank told a guard that if he were not incarcerated, he would interfere.[12]

Death[edit]

Schrank died September 15, 1943, in the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane. His body was given to Milwaukee's Marquette University School of Medicine.[4] TIME magazine reported that Schrank received no visitors and no mail during his 31 years of incarceration. In 1943 The Knoxville Journal reported that the superintendent of the Central State Hospital for the Criminally Insane, Dr. R. A. Remley, stated that Schrank was a model prisoner and he was occasionally allowed to go to the city of Waupun alone. It was reported that Schrank's cause of death was bronchial pneumonia.[8][22]

Gallery[edit]

  • The .38 caliber Colt revolver used to shoot Roosevelt
    The .38 caliber Colt revolver used to shoot Roosevelt
  • Schrank in jail October 31, 1912
    Schrank in jail October 31, 1912
  • Schrank's writing about presidential third-terms and about his hallucination
    Schrank's writing about presidential third-terms and about his hallucination
  • The site of the assassination attempt Hotel Gilpatrick
    The site of the assassination attempt Hotel Gilpatrick

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Insanity in Family". The Herald-Press. October 17, 1912. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Helferich, Gerard (October 8, 2013). Theodore Roosevelt and the Assassin: Madness, Vengeance, and the Campaign of 1912. Washington, DC: Rowman & Littlefield. p. 6. ISBN 978-1-4930-0077-7. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c d "Would-be Assassin is John Schrank, Once Saloonkeeper Here". The New York Times. October 15, 1912. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  4. ^ a b Wilson, Scott (September 5, 2016). Resting Places: The Burial Sites of More Than 14,000 Famous Persons, 3d ed (668 ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-7992-4. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Cochems, Henry Frederick; Bloodgood, Wheeler P. (1912). The Attempted Assassination of Ex-President Theodore Roosevelt. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Progressive Publishing Company. p. 99. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 11, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d Johnson, Scott P. (November 11, 2020). Political Assassins, Terrorists and Related Conspiracies in American History. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-4766-4203-1. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Clarke, James W. (December 31, 2011). Defining Danger: American Assassins and the New Domestic Terrorists. Piscataway, New Jersey: Transaction Publishers. ISBN 978-1-4128-4906-7. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Levins, Peter (October 3, 1943). "Justice and The 'Great Reason'". The Knoxville Journal. p. 30. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  9. ^ Vowell, Sarah (April 4, 2005). Assassination Vacation. New York, New Yok: Simon and Schuster. p. 230. ISBN 978-0-7432-8253-6. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Martinez, J. Michael (November 14, 2017). Political Assassinations and Attempts in US History: The Lasting Effects of Gun Violence Against American Political Leaders. New York City: Skyhorse. p. 304. ISBN 978-1-63144-071-7. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  11. ^ a b c Bell, J. Bowyer (September 29, 2017). Assassin: Theory and Practice of Political Violence. New York, New Yok: Routledge. p. 69. ISBN 978-1-351-31543-2. Archived from the original on February 25, 2024. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  12. ^ a b c d e f Arnold, Christopher (June 23, 1968). "A 50-page Speech, Spectacle Case Save 'Bull Moose's Life'". The Star Press. p. 37. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  13. ^ a b c Prigge, Matthew J. (August 5, 2020). "'It Takes More Than One Bullet to Kill a Bull Moose!' When Teddy Roosevelt was Gunned Down in Milwaukee". The Shepherd Express. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved February 25, 2024.
  14. ^ a b c d "Maniac in Milwaukee Shoots Col. Roosevelt; He Ignores Wound, Speaks an Hour, Goes. to Hospital". The New York Times. October 15, 1912. p. 1. Archived from the original on November 3, 2023. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  15. ^ "Elbert E. Martin Hero of Occasion". Boston Evening Transcript. October 15, 1912. p. 3. Archived from the original on November 2, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Speech Roosevelt Made While Wounded". The New York Times. October 15, 1912. p. 2. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  17. ^ a b "Schrank Bound Over For Trial". The Milwaukee Sentinel. October 15, 1912.
  18. ^ "Insane Man Shoots Roosevelt". The Milwaukee Sentinel. October 15, 1912.
  19. ^ "Man Who Shot T.R." Carbondale Free Press. November 13, 1912. p. 1. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  20. ^ "Real Expert Testimony". Nebraska State Journal. January 4, 1913. p. 4. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.
  21. ^ "TR Center - Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to John St. Loe Strachey". theodorerooseveltcenter.org. Dickenson State University. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
  22. ^ "U.S." TIME. September 27, 1943. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 10, 2024.

External links[edit]

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