A little-known fact of Milwaukee history, and one that would be extraordinarily well-known had it succeeded, is Theodore Roosevelt’s assassination attempt here on October 14, 1912.
This near-calamity occurred when Roosevelt was in town campaigning on the Progressive party ticket, or Bull Moose, seeking to regain top office again after a four-year hiatus. He stopped in the afternoon at the Gilpatrick Hotel, and after dining with local dignitaries, prepared to go to the Milwaukee Auditorium (now the Milwaukee Theater) to give a campaign speech.
As he got into his vehicle, Roosevelt stopped to turn and say goodbye to supporters. Unfortunately, this moment cleared the way for would-be assassin John Schrank to take the photo he had planned for more than three weeks while following Roosevelt’s campaign in eight states. Schrank fired his powerful .38 caliber revolver from close range, hitting Roosevelt in the chest.
Schrank was immediately taken into custody and Roosevelt’s car drove off. But allegedly several moments passed before Roosevelt fully understood that he had been beaten. The tenacious Roosevelt insisted, however, on continuing with his speech. It could be that he felt he owed him the speech that day because it was the thick manuscript, folded in his breast pocket along with a metal glasses case, that absorbed most of the bullet’s force.
As he entered the Milwaukee Auditorium, Roosevelt announced to the astonished audience that he had been shot and proclaimed, “It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose!” He then proceeded to speak for 80 minutes before reluctantly going to a Milwaukee hospital for treatment.
Because the bullet did not pose a threat to internal organs, the doctors decided to leave the bullet where it was. Roosevelt carried the bullet inside him for the rest of his life.
The Gilpatrick Hotel no longer exists, and the Hyatt Regency Milwaukee has taken its place. But the new hotel still honors this historic place with a plaque located inside the lobby.
About Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States. He became president on September 14, 1901, when President McKinley died after being shot on September 6, 1901. At just 42 years old, he was the youngest man to become president. In 1904, he was elected as a Republican candidate and went on to a second term.
