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November 2024-Bushman
WORLD FAMOUS BUSHMAN RAILCAR # 78
This real-life character appeared briefly in last month's Newsletter article (October, 2024) with no photo or back story, but I mentioned that he would make an appearance in this month's article with more information. Being an actual person and well known with an interesting story, I decided a cameo wouldn't do, he deserved his own complete RAIL CAR and a......TRUE......CARNIVALE back story.
This section is about the real BUSHMAN.
DAVID JOHNSON, AKA BUSHMAN
David was a busker, a street performer working for tips at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf during the 90's and early 2000's. His act was to crouch down hiding behind eucalyptus branches waiting patiently to jump up and scare unaware tourists walking by. He was soon dubbed the BUSHMAN. The 'WORLD FAMOUS' came later when tourists arriving from around the world had already heard of him from other returning travelers. Working with an assistant, helping him at times serving as protection, diverting approaching walker's attention, or letting David know not to 'jump out' when elderly or other sensitive people were approaching. The best part of his act wasn't David but the crowds that would casually gather around to watch the next 'event', and then cheering and clapping at its culmination. My family and I were always a part of that crowd with each visit to the city.
THE CARNIVALE VERSION
David and Jacque (the French Pinata guy) became good friends while working the Wharf. Jacque eventually left the Wharf and joined CARNIVALE with his FRENCH PINATA act. David soon followed bringing his eucalyptus branches. Both would eventually retire to CARNIVALE'S winter camp in Barstow, CA.
EPILOGUE
It is said even to this day, that if you go exploring the rail yards of any small town between the Pacific Ocean and the Mississippi River, that there is a possibility you might spot a fragment of a SURPRISE BOMB or a dried-up eucalyptus leaf.
LAWSUIT
JOHNSON v NAMBA......David was informed an individual was photographing his 'victims' at the moment of surprise, hawking them the pictures. This was being done without David's permission or royalty and with no city license......Case pending......and who is the lady standing next to him?
A NEW CATCH PHRASE IS BORN
David loved feeding the local pigeons as they would scurry in and out from under his eucalyptus branches looking for dropped tidbits and sit and eat out of his hand. One day a passerby stopped and said......look!.....there's......A BIRD IN HIS HAND, AND TWO IN THE BUSH-MAN
