How Teddy Roosevelt Got Shot and Still Did an 84 Minute Speech

Summary

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th U.S. President, was shot during a campaign stop in 1912 but continued to deliver an 84-minute speech despite his injury. The bullet was slowed by a thick speech in his pocket, a steel-enforced glasses case, and his overcoat, potentially saving his life. The gunman, John Flammang Schrank, was a Bavarian immigrant who claimed to be avenging the death of President McKinley in a delusional act. Roosevelt's resilience and the incident highlight his 'Bull Moose' spirit.

Takeaways

• 🇺🇸 Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, served from 1901 to 1909 and ran again in 1912 as a third-party candidate.
• 🔫 In 1912, during a campaign stop in Milwaukee, Roosevelt was shot by John Flammang Schrank, a Bavarian immigrant and ex-saloon owner.
• 🗣️ Despite being shot, Roosevelt insisted on delivering a scheduled 84-minute speech, showing remarkable resilience.
• 👨‍⚕️ After the speech, it was discovered that the bullet had lodged in his chest, but did not puncture a lung, likely due to the thick overcoat and a steel-enforced glasses case.
• 🔍 The would-be assassin, Schrank, was quickly apprehended and was found to be experiencing insane delusions, leading to his commitment to a mental institution.
• 🎤 Roosevelt's introduction by Harry Cochems informed the audience of his shooting, setting the stage for a dramatic speech.
• 📜 The 50-page speech manuscript in Roosevelt's pocket likely slowed the bullet's impact, potentially saving his life.
• 🏥 After the speech, Roosevelt was treated at Johnston Emergency Hospital in Milwaukee, where doctors decided the bullet was too dangerous to remove.
• 🎯 Schrank's motive for the assassination attempt was based on a delusional dream in which the late President William McKinley appeared to him.
• 📉 Roosevelt's Progressive Party, or Bull Moose Party, lost the 1912 election, contributing to Woodrow Wilson's victory.
• 🐃 The incident further cemented Roosevelt's image as a 'Bull Moose', a symbol of strength and resilience.

Q & A

Who was Theodore Roosevelt and what was his political position?

Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. He also ran for president again in 1912 on the third-party Bull Moose ticket.

What event occurred on October 14, 1912, during Theodore Roosevelt's campaign?

On October 14, 1912, Theodore Roosevelt was shot by an assassin during a campaign stop in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

What was the name of the would-be assassin who attempted to kill Roosevelt?

The would-be assassin was John Flammang Schrank, a Bavarian immigrant and former saloon owner.

How far away was Schrank when he fired at Roosevelt?

Schrank was only 4 feet away from Roosevelt when he fired his .38 caliber revolver.

What was unusual about Roosevelt's reaction after being shot?

Roosevelt allegedly brushed the bullet off like it was a fly and continued to wave to his supporters, showing remarkable resilience.

What was the length of the speech Roosevelt was carrying when he was shot?

Roosevelt was carrying a speech that was 50 pages long, which he intended to deliver at the Milwaukee Auditorium.

How long was the speech that Roosevelt gave after being shot?

Despite being shot, Roosevelt gave a speech that lasted for 84 minutes.

What did Roosevelt do to assess the severity of his injury after being shot?

Roosevelt tested his internal bleeding by coughing into his hands to see if there was any blood, and finding none, he felt confident to continue with his speech.

What role did the 50-page speech manuscript play in Roosevelt's survival?

The 50-page speech manuscript, folded into his breast pocket, likely slowed the bullet and prevented it from penetrating deeper into his body, potentially saving his life.

What was the outcome of the 1912 election in which Roosevelt ran on the Bull Moose Party ticket?

The Bull Moose Party lost the 1912 election, which resulted in the presidency being won by Democrat Woodrow Wilson.

What was the fate of John Schrank, the man who shot Roosevelt?

John Schrank was found unfit to stand trial due to insane delusions and was committed to the Central State Hospital for Criminally Insane in Waupun, Wisconsin, where he remained until his death in 1943.

Why did the doctors decide not to remove the bullet from Roosevelt's body?

The doctors determined via X-ray that the bullet, located alongside Roosevelt's fourth rib, was too dangerous to operate on and remove.