The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1912-10-17
ROOSEVELT BULLET
WAS NOT POISONED
Definite Report Made to Court
Following Examination by
Prof. SOmmer.
SCHRANK SEES NO ONE
Commission Of Alienists to
Watch Fanatics Mental
Condition.

MILWAUKEE, Oct. i0.-One great cause
OF anxiety was removed to-day for the
physicians who are caring for Col. Roose-
welt when It was learned positively that
John Schrank. his assailant, had not
poisoned the bullet which he fired. This
was learned In the report Of Dean e. w.
Sommer of Marquette University . medical
department to Judge N. B. Meelan. the
District Court Judge, who ordered a
chemical examination Of the bullets in
Schrank's gun.
Since the trial yesterday morning Dean
Sommer has been working in his labora-
tory. and his announcement to-day was
a great relief to the friends Of the ex-
President and was Immediately tele-
graphed to the doctors who are caring
for the Colonel.
The report Of Prof. Sommer was the
chief development Of the day in Milwau-
kee. Schranks day was quiet. but the
authorities are preparing to make a
secret study OF him by alienists so a. to
be ready il insanity is his defence.
They have taken thirty pictures Of me
since the shooting and l have told the
newspaper men all that ever knew. so
do not let any one in to see me-" said
Schrank to Sheriff Arnold.
Il never saw such fellows in all my
life. They can ask more questions in a
minute than an ordinary person can in
month. I have been asked about
everything have ever seen. done. heard
or thought. Now what more can I tell
them?
They have enough pictures to satisfy
the entire United States and I suppose
that some Of them will 60 around the
world. do not want to see any one at
all and il l want anything will call for it.. I"
Schrank has not selected . lawyer to
represent him In the trial. When asked
about it he said that he would think
about it and when the time came he
might have one selected.
The New Yorker slept we'll Tuesday
night and was good natured when his
drank cup OF coffee and ate some bread
and molasses.
-He is fine prisoner said Jailer Roth.
who is one Of the oldest jailers in the
country. -He is pleasant"
Many persons called at the Jail and
asked permission to see Schrank. but his
refusal to see even newspaper men would
not permit the Sheriff to let others in to
see him.
That Col. Roosevelt narrowly escaped
death earlier in the evening was an
nounced to-day by police authorities, who
disclosed that Sergeant Schroeder. in
charge OF the squad which guarded the
Roosevelt train when it arrived at the
station. had tried to arrest Schrank
when he saw him trying to get close to the
Roosevelt automobile. Schrank had
dodged into the crowd Of workers passing
on their way home. Schrank, It appears,
was standing close at the entrance to tho
station through which ROOSEVELT was to
emerge when the police sergeant noticed
that he had his hand in an odd position
on the left side of his body. He called
to Patrolman Bradley to make the man
, get back. but the man dodged by the
officer and slipped into the crowd.
The District Attorney to-day announced
that he had decided to have a strict ex-
animation made of Schrank by commis-
sion OF three alienists to decide whether
he is sane. The District Attorney says
he himself believes Schrank is sane and
that he came to Milwaukee to commit
the crime in view Of his knowledge that
wisconsin has not capital punishment
The District Attorney will. however,
have three alienists examine Schrank
when Schrank does not know he is being
watched, and thus learn about the man q
mental condition. The alienists are to
report on Saturday. it is now thought,
and then District Attorney label will de.
eide whether or not he will have second
commission. If the first commission is
not positive in its report a second will
be named.
The District Attorney also decided not
to allow the State to pay the cost of a
lawyer to defend Schrank He said that
Schranks confession that he had SIS. 900
worth of property in New York was suffi-
cient' evidence to him that the man was
able to engage his own counsel. The
police are investigating the claim that he
has property in New York. and II this ia
found to be true the District ATTORNEY
will not permit the appointment Of an
attorney to defend him.
Prof. Sommer would make no state
ment to-day as to his discovery, or rather
lack Of discovery, in his analysis Of the
bullets in Schrank's gun. He made a
written report to Judge Neelen which
merely stated. it ia Understood that the
chemical examination showed no trace
Of poison whatever.