He was Portland, Oregon's "Bozo the Clown".

Most cities had someone like this, but he was ours.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_H._Allen

"Krusty the Klown" was loosely based on him with Matt Groening growing up watching Rusty Nails. Nails was pleasant, not kantankerous like Krusty.

Every Little Leaguer in the Portland Metro area for decades played each season in the "Alpenrose" Tournament. It was the highlight of the season other than the playoffs, and it was at Alpenrose Dairy that Rusty Nails was mostly associated.