CONCLUSION OF COMMISSION.
From the testimony of the jailor who had been in charge from the date
of Schrank's arrest to the present date, we learn that he was a quiet,
pleasant man, well-behaved in all respects, and fastidious as to dress
and food, uniformly cheerful and happy. It was noticeable that he
showed much less concern or anxiety as to his fate than the average
prisoner. This is also corroborated by the examination of a detective
concerned in his arrest.
The impression we have derived from the demeanor of the prisoner in our
several examinations is that he is truthful in his statements and shows
no desire to conceal anything. He undoubtedly has an elevated idea of
his importance, but is free from bombast. In the course of his
examination when the question of his views or opinions about himself
came up he drew from his pocket the document herewith submitted as
Exhibit 4, which he says he prepared as a defense, saying: "Perhaps I
can help you, Gentlemen." He has shown every disposition to assist us
in arriving at facts. He shows a knowledge and command of the English
language unusual in a foreigner who has only had very limited
schooling. He is self-confident, profoundly self-satisfied; is
dignified, fearless, courteous and kindly. He shows a sense of humor
and is cheerful and calm under circumstances that severely test those
qualities. Beneath all of this is an air which is illustrated by his
concluding sentence, that the spirit of George Washington is before
him, that of McKinley behind him. He gives the impression that he feels
himself to be an instrument in the hands of God, and that he is one of
the band of historic heroes paralleled by such characters as Joan d'Arc
and other saviours of nations. He undoubtedly considers himself a man
of heroic mold. At no time did he express or exhibit remorse for his
act.
SUMMARY.
We have limited the scope of our investigations to the questions that
we have been asked to determine and summarize briefly: John Schrank,
age 36 years, single, barkeeper and saloon keeper, and of limited
educational opportunities, with insane heredity (see Exhibit 5), was
born in Bavaria, on March 5, 1876, and came to this country twelve
years later. Apparently he developed normally, but early in life showed
a particular fondness for the study of the histories of this and other
countries, and also for the composition of poetry. In the course of his
studies of history, and especially of the Constitution of the United
States, and of Washington's Farewell Address, he developed the belief
that this Republic is based upon the foundation of four unwritten laws,
to which he also refers as the "Four Sacred Traditions," as is more
fully set forth in the preceding report.
In 1901 he had a very vivid dream, which at that time he recognized as
only a dream, the memory of which has frequently recurred to him ever
since. In the course of a pre-convention campaign, the belief that the
four unwritten laws or the "Four Sacred Traditions" are in danger comes
to him, and later, upon the nomination of a presidential candidate by
the Progressive Party, he begins to attach particular significance to
the dream he had in 1901. He meditates deeply upon this and, in the
course of a few weeks there appears to him a vision accompanied by a
voice which, in effect, commands the killing of the man through whose
acts and machinations he believes the sacred traditions to be
endangered, and who, he also believes is, through a conspiracy,
concerned in the assassination of a former president. He continues to
ponder upon the subjects set forth, awaiting the appearance of a person
who would carry out the act suggested by the vision, but shortly
arrives at the conclusion that he, and not someone else, is the chosen
instrument. He at once sets forth to accomplish his mission, following
his victim until he finally comes up with him.
During his examination as to his sanity, he conducts himself in perfect
accord with his beliefs, and expresses a regret at not having died at
the hands of the mob if such a result would have proven of benefit to
his chosen country.