In the midst of the Southeast Kansas
prairies, Nick Simion established a unique business when
a mine injury forced him to retire from the coalfields.
At 203 N. Broadway, he opened a steamship office, which
for 30 years was a viable part of the business community.
There he made arrangements for ocean transportation for
men who planned to bring their families over from the
Old Country, sending their tickets to them. He sold roundtrip
tickets to those who wanted to go back for a visit. Meeting
immigrants at the Frisco depot opposite his place of
business, he would take them to Mulligan’s Restaurant
for a meal and, if they needed a place to stay temporarily
would house them in the Europe Hotel just west of the
Nick Simion & Son Steamship Offices.
With the help of the Frisco and 22 steamship
lines, Simion set up an operation, which brought thousands
of immigrants to Pittsburg. Speaking seven languages
fluently, he quickly became a close acquaintance of virtually
every person of foreign extraction in the region. He
was the immigrant’s counselor, friend and advisor.
Not only did Simion arrange for the details of steamship
transportation, but also he made arrangement for rail
trips to and from ports. For 30 years the Nick Simion & Son
Steamship Offices served the community, and Simion became
known as one of the busiest steamship representatives
in America.
"Pittsburg Almanac 1876-1976,
p. 130 |
