The 'Wild Man' of Kearney Street
A profile of Leonor Borcharts, known as 'Oofty Goofty,' a performer who made a living by enduring physical abuse for public entertainment.
Oofty Goofty, the well-known San Francisco character, is in the city. A variety theater has engaged him for a short season. One would readily imagine that the animal in man's attire who styles himself as 'Oofty Goofty' had a frame like an ox, but he is a small German Jew, weighing but 130 pounds. He arrived in San Francisco twelve years ago from Berlin and his motto ever since has been 'anything to make a dime.' He lets any man kick him for a quarter and will take pleasure in a caning for any sum from 10 cents up. He was once painted with glue and covered in hair to be exhibited as the 'Wild Man from Borneo' in a dime museum. The act lasted three weeks until he shouted for a cigarette, revealing his identity to the crowd. He claims he can neither sing nor dance, nor even talk so that one can understand him.
“It has always seemed impossible to hurt the fellow, for he lets any man kick him for a quarter.”
This story serves as a reminder of the often exploitative and dehumanizing nature of variety and dime-museum entertainment in the late 19th century. It highlights the desperation of poverty and the lengths to which individuals like Borcharts would go to survive.
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