Theodore Roosevelt’s Unbreakable Will: The Day He Survived an Assassination Attempt

 

On October 14, 1912, former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt demonstrated the grit, resilience, and determination that had defined his entire life. On that fateful day in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Roosevelt, who was running for a third term as president under the Progressive Party, survived an assassination attempt and, incredibly, continued with his scheduled speech, standing before a stunned crowd for nearly 90 minutes, even as a bullet was lodged in his chest.

The would-be assassin was John Schrank, a New York saloon owner who had been trailing Roosevelt for weeks. Schrank believed that no one should run for a third term, convinced that Roosevelt's quest for another presidency was akin to seeking a monarchy. That afternoon, as Roosevelt stood outside the Gilpatrick Hotel in Milwaukee preparing to head to a campaign event, Schrank seized his moment. He pulled out a .38-caliber revolver and fired a shot directly at Roosevelt’s chest from close range. The bullet tore through Roosevelt’s overcoat, but it did not penetrate as deeply as it could have.

In a twist of fate, two objects in Roosevelt's coat pocket absorbed much of the bullet's impact: a metal eyeglass case and a thick, folded copy of the speech he was about to deliver. The speech was 50 pages long, double-folded, and tucked neatly into his breast pocket. The bullet slowed down significantly as it pierced through the speech, ultimately lodging in Roosevelt's chest, but it did not reach a vital organ.

Despite the shocking attack and the evident pain, Roosevelt's reaction was extraordinary. His aides, along with doctors who quickly examined him, urged him to go to the hospital immediately. However, Roosevelt, ever the determined leader, refused. He was bleeding and had clearly been shot, but he insisted on continuing to the auditorium where he was scheduled to speak. In his mind, nothing, not even a bullet, would stop him from delivering his message to the American people.

When Roosevelt arrived at the Milwaukee Auditorium, the audience, unaware of what had just transpired, greeted him with cheers. But soon enough, the shocking news broke: the former president had been shot. The crowd gasped as Roosevelt opened his coat to reveal the blood-stained shirt underneath. His words, however, reflected the indomitable spirit that had become his trademark. He reassured the audience, "It takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose," referring to his Progressive Party's emblem.

Roosevelt, true to his nature, vowed to keep his remarks brief. Yet, once he began speaking, his passion for the cause took over. For 90 minutes, he stood at the podium, delivering his speech while downplaying his injury. He spoke about his vision for the nation, his commitment to progressive reforms, and the principles that guided his political philosophy. He even joked about the assassin, saying that he must have had a poor aim or else he wouldn’t be standing there. Throughout his speech, Roosevelt's voice wavered at times due to the pain, but his resolve never faltered.

After finishing his speech, Roosevelt finally agreed to be taken to the hospital. There, doctors examined him and determined that the bullet had lodged in his chest muscle, just short of puncturing his lung. Given the location of the bullet and the risk of surgery, doctors decided to leave it in place. Roosevelt carried that bullet in his body for the rest of his life, a permanent reminder of the day his determination saved him.

The assassination attempt became a significant moment in Roosevelt's campaign and a symbol of his toughness and resilience. Although he did not win the 1912 election, his actions on that day solidified his legacy as one of the most determined and courageous figures in American history. 

Roosevelt’s survival was due in part to sheer luck—the placement of his speech and eyeglass case in his pocket—but also to his refusal to let fear or injury deter him from his mission. His actions on that day in Milwaukee reflected the spirit of a man who had always believed in pushing through adversity, a trait that had carried him through battles, both political and personal, throughout his life.

In the years that followed, the story of Roosevelt's near-death experience and subsequent speech became the stuff of legend, illustrating the tenacity and indomitable spirit that defined not just his political career, but his very character. Theodore Roosevelt’s courage in the face of danger remains an inspiring reminder of what true leadership and dedication to one's principles look like, even when confronted with mortal peril.