Detroit evening times. (Detroit, Mich) 1921-1958, 1943-04-18
Rose 10 Fame
Selling Peanuts
To The Great

\V/HEN the great diplomats and other notahes of the
" world visit Washington D. G, in the future, they
w are going o something that much
part Of the capital the Washington Monument
the nondescrip pushcar from which Steve Vasilakos
Greek peanut vendor sold his in front of the
White House
For SO years before his rsrent DEATH Steve piled
humble trade beside his rckety cart meeting the great
and the neargreat who came to call Americas pres
dents. Although able to exc out than bare
living the little Greek vendor able in his lifetime to
walk and talk with kings presidents and noabes of the
world
Vasilakos who was So when he died became q kind of
symbol the little man in America. Steve and his cart
much a part of the White House scene that he
always jokngy listed his business address as "17OO
Pennsylvania Avenue"
Any letters there would have arrived
all right because well known to the Postmaster
General of the United States as high
officials who for years have stopped at his stand
vasilakos at the time of his death occupied unique
spoboth peanut salesman and in the hearts of the
American people. Even he lay his death bed in
Washington 10 900 of his fellow countrymen paid him
homage at a war bond rally in York City in
ton with the Hellenic 50-mion- drive
steve had asked to attend guest of honor for
he ranked No bond salesman in the drive being
sponsored by GreeAmericans but was too Ill Ahepa me
order sponsoring the campaign planned to formally
present with the citation it had conferred upon him
The Common Peoples Man of the Year
In written but few days before his DEATH
Mr. Vaslakos declared to the group:
Il am not an educated 4 have been selling pea
nuts my the past 33 Day in and day out
people bought bag OF peanuts and heiped me 10
living peacefully That is what America has meant
and If lose this war, viii not be able
to peanuts my stand any longer don't want that
Not long after he reached this country 1910 Steve
r,,shad his peanut cart down Pennsylvania Avenue
likely looking spot big gate that led to large
white house among trees and parked there.
City authorities unsucccssfuy during third of
century TO move his favored spot but through
timely aforementioned President after President ne was
allowed stay. He champoned by Presidents William
Howard Taft Woodrow Wilson Warren G. Harding CALVIN
Coolidge Herbert Hoover and Franklin d! Roosevelt.
Prime Ministers O England Presidents, Kings, Sat
raps Sutans traded with Steve Vasiakos, who
promised everyone only good nickcls WORTH He was
photographed during lis lifetime with dozens Of celebrities
standing nonchaanty in spot for which the average
American would give his right eye.
1899 ne traded bag of peanuts with King George
VI OF England autograph However his greatest
triumph June, 1912, when another George-the
King Of Greece now exile visited Washington.
King George passed long, sl.e, car by Steves cart
each Steve busy waiting customers. In
the King of Greece wanted 70 see him, Steve said
viii 90 the King
Although the state Department officials raised an eye
they heard of the contemplated visit of peanut
cddIer 10 prominent visiting sovereign Mr. Vasiakos
was not dismayed marched up to Blair House where
all distinguished visitors entertained these days and
asked for the King And he was admitted During their
Good" answered steve.
Good boy" said the King.
Il think you are a good boy yourself" the peanut
yckIor replied. The rest the talk rapid Greek.
Stoves ambition 20 become American citizen was
reezed 1910 and the famous English newspaper The
Manchester Guardian referred to him more than once
calling steve typical American. After the Four-Powcr
|p1ct signed mt Mgnch, 1t quoted\hip.as saying:
Look all The world is yelling ana pushing each other
except here. HIRE peace and fuss. over there
Here there amt no guns Here there is squirrels
the parks"
surrounded by soldiers steve voluntarily moved across
street but continued business usualexcept for
his patriotic activities His most famous last
october he plunged war bond sales campaign.
Within weeks NasIa,ns had sold the astounding
total OF $50 600 worth war bonds II was this strenuous
work that put him ia the hospital whore be died