John Schrank
John Schrank | |
|---|---|
Schrank in 1912 | |
| Born | Johann Nepomuk Schrank: 6 March 5, 1876 |
| Died | September 15, 1943 (aged 67) Waupun, Wisconsin, U.S. |
| Other names | John Flamming John Flamming Schrank: 6 |
| Citizenship | German (1876–1889) American (1897–1943) |
| Occupation | Saloonkeeper |
| Known for | Attempted assassination of Theodore Roosevelt |
John Flammang Schrank (born Johann Nepomuk Schrank; March 5, 1876 – September 15, 1943) was a German-American tavern owner who attempted to assassinate former President Theodore Roosevelt outside of the Gilpatrick Hotel in Milwaukee on October 14, 1912.
Schrank claimed to have experienced visions of the ghost of assassinated U.S. President William McKinley, telling Schrank that Roosevelt was his murderer, and that Schrank needed to avenge his death, as well as prevent Roosevelt from being elected to a third term as President of the United States. His shot hit Roosevelt in the chest at very close range, but the assassination attempt was not successful; he was immediately arrested, and was later adjudicated insane.
When he was brought before Judge August C. Backus in Milwaukee Municipal Court he quickly pleaded guilty to shooting Roosevelt. Judge Backus did not accept the guilty plea, and 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 for 31 years until his death.