Former Slave, Shrewd Businessman
At a time in Arkansas history when blacks were regularly lynched and openly oppressed under the racist tenant farming system former slave Scott Bond became a successful black farmer and businessman in Madison, Arkansas.
Scott Bond began life as a slave. He was born in Mississippi to Ann, who married his stepfather William when Scott was eighteen months old.
Immediately before the Civil War, the white slave owners moved themselves and their slaved to Tennessee, then to Cross County, Arkansas. Bond’s mother passed away during the Civil War. He lived on with his stepfather until 1875, when he moved away, taking a quilt his mother had left him. Bond and his stepfather maintained a good relationship, eventually holding property together.
While in his early twenties, Bond became a tenant farmer on the Allen farm. Frugal and wise, Bond bought no more than necessary on credit, and as such, was able to expand his acreage the following year and hire one man. In 1877, he married Magnolia Nash, who bore him eleven sons.
Around 1889, Bond purchased 300-acres in Madison, Arkansas, and wanted to leave the Allen farm to manage his own property.
Well-Respected Amongst All
Scott Bond was a well-respected member of the community, among black and whites, at a time when many blacks were struggling to free themselves of the ghostly shackles left by the Civil War.
Scott Bond continued expanding his acreage until 1889, when Mrs. Allen sold property to Bond and his white partner, T.O. Fitzpatrick. This partnership continued for five years, until Bond sold his share to Fitzpatrick, citing that their sons might not continue to work so well together.
Bond Purchased seven other farms with the proceeds from his sale. Bond was a prime example of an Arkansan “pulling himself up by his bootstraps.” Bond and his wife worked very closely together.
Daniel Rudd, other farms with the proceeds from his sale. Bond was a prime example of an Arkansan “pulling himself up by his bootstraps.” Bond and his wife worked very closely together.
Bond Impresses Booker T. Washington
Scott Bond was urged by Dr. Booker T. Washington, founder of the National Negro Business League (NNBL), to attend the Farmer’s Conference in Tuskegee, Alabama. Bond declined, until a letter urging Bond to attend arrived. One of Bond’s sons said he should accept, so Scott attended the meeting. He was so impressed with the people at the conference, he decided Booker T. Washington needed to come to Arkansas. Since Bond was a lifetime member of the NNBL, he attended the annual meeting in New York City in 1902, where he was convinced to give a speech.
At this meeting, he convinced Dr. Booker T. Washington to hold the annual meeting in Little Rock the following year. Bond urged Washington to visit Madison, Bond’s hometown. Washington hesitated due to his busy schedule, but Bond promised him transportation via train to Madison, then on to Memphis, where Washington’s next meeting was. Washington agreed, but only if Bond could secure him a private car. Much to Washington’s surprise, Bond was able to make the changes, along with the private car. Washington spoke to thousands in Madison, Arkansas.
Bond also assisted his friend, Taylor Swift, in purchasing a home. Swift, a hardworking tenant farmer, had saved to go to Africa, but returned to Arkansas penniless. Bond gave him a mule and helped him get back on his feet, which culminated in Swift purchasing a house.
Successful Black Businessman
Bond was a shrewd businessman and branches out from farming to retail. Bond initially bought a store with his stepfather and another man, but the store closed after several months. He eventually purchased the Madison Mercantile Company on his own and used the store as his personal farm supply.
He bought four more town lots, and eventually owned a sawmill, five cotton gins, and a gravel pit. The gravel pit supplied the Rock Island Railroad.
Bond also reported to work at a brick supplier and learned the trade in order to open his own brick company. Three of Bond’s sons, Waverly, Theophilus, and Ulysses, joined their father in his business.
Bond also donated land as a cemetery for blacks, so that blacks could be buried for free. When Bond passed away in March 1933 at the age of eighty-one, he owned 12,000 acres and the above businesses. Reportedly, he was still working at the time of his death in 1933 and was killed by one of his bulls.
The Scott Bond photograph collection, 1893-1917 (UALR.PH.0073) is available for researchers at the Center.