Cafe Owner | Innovator of Fine Dining | Philantrophist
Susie Bell was born in Lee County, Arkansas, to Joseph Little. 1 Author Interview (Makayla Swanson) with Jennifer King, March 17, 2021. Records concerning her mother are scarce, and her name remains unconfirmed.
Census records reveal that Bell had two older brothers and one younger brother, Preston Little. Bell’s descendants continue to research her extraordinary life. According to Bell’s great-niece, Jennifer King, Preston Little moved to Tulsa between 1910 and 1913.
By this time, Susie Bell was already there and running the Bell Café in Greenwood. 2 Carlos Moreno Interview with Jennifer King, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma, February 26, 2021.
In a world where media was primarily concerned with men’s dealings, Bell stole the spotlight.
Advertisements for the Bell Café began in the Tulsa Star in 1913 and continued into 1914.
The café was located at 101 N. Greenwood and remained here until 1915 when Bell went into business with Preston. The café then became the Bell and Little Café and moved to 106 N. Greenwood.
By 1920 the café had moved again, this time to 324 E. Archer Street. 3 “The Bell Café.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 25 April 1913; “In the Social Circle.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 5 June 1915; and “Bell and Little Café.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 21 February 1920.
Bell was also the owner of the Busy Bee Café. That this business was located in the famous brick building owned by the Gurleys and employed seven people reveals just how successful it was. 4 “One of the Race’s Best Conducted Cafes.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 26 October 1918
Similar to Bell’s other ventures, the restaurant maintained an excellent reputation – largely due to Bell’s famous smothered chicken! Though Bell and the Busy Bee’s first mention was in 1918, the Tulsa Star reported that she sold the business to Julius Parks the following year.
The last year of advertisements for the Bell and Little Café was in 1920 after its owners moved it to the Gurley building. 5 “Busy Bee Café.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star 7 April 1917; “Mrs. Susie Bell Sells her Café.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 1 February 1919; and “Local and Social News.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 21 August 1920.
Bell hosted many parties in her cafés, including several being for prominent members of the community.
For instance, in 1920, Bell served Langston University professors a six-course fine dining experience.
That same year, Bell attended an anniversary celebration among several doctors of Tulsa. 6 “Prof. Roberts Dined.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 12 June 1920; and “Wedding Anniversary.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 27 November 1920.
Bell often gathered ideas for her businesses through her travels, which were noted in the Tulsa Star. One trip to Colorado is recorded as “a couple months of recreation.” 7 “One of the Race’s Best Conducted Cafes.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 26 October 1918.
Bell also served the Greenwood community by hosting fundraisers, such as one for Mt. Zion Church in 1920. Her family believes that Mt. Zion was Bell’s home church.8 “Tulsa Colored Citizens.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 5 April 1920; and “To Aid Mt. Zion Church.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 30 October 1920.
Bell’s charitable spirit did not end with her church or even Greenwood.
King explained that Bell was “always teaching others” without ever looking down on them or making them feel belittled. She generously helped family members, once giving as much as $30,000 in today’s money without blinking an eye. 9 Ibid. Author Interview (Makayla Swanson) Interview with Jennifer King, March 17, 2021.
Bell also helped to rear her brother Emmanuel’s children during holidays and summers when she returned to Arkansas. At one point, she raised a niece on her own.
Bell was always ready to conquer the world.
Despite remaining busy and always on the move, Bell was known for never wearing flats – always heels, all white on Sundays, and navy blue every other day. According to King, Bell was a woman who exhibited class in every way.
With her hair up neatly and brooch on close, Bell was always ready to conquer the world. 10 Author Interview (Makayla Swanson) with Jennifer King, March 17, 2021.
Unsurprisingly, Bell’s success was known as far as Topeka, Kansas. In a 1916 article from Topeka Plaindealer – which employed Greenwood resident Blanche Woodford as a writer – Bell was described as “one of the best cooks we have ever met” and “a pleasing lady with plenty of business sense.” 11 “Progress of the Race in Our Sister State,” Topeka Plaindealer (Topeka, Kansas), April 21, 1916.
Bell’s personal life was not as publicized as her professional life. Evidence suggests that she was estranged from her husband, W. B. Johnson, for several years before the two divorced in 1920. 12 “Marriage Licenses.” Tulsa, Tulsa Daily Legal News, 3 February 1917; and “Publication Notice,” Tulsa Star, 9 October 1920.
Johnson, who owned the Royal Cleaning and Taylor Shop on N. Cincinnati in Tulsa, was a talented business owner in his own right. 13 “The Royal Cleaners and Tailor.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 20 March, 1915.
According to Bell’s family, she remarried a couple of times, including once to a train porter in the late 1920s. 14 Author Interview with Jennifer King, March 17, 2021.
Although her marriage and divorce records were in the Tulsa Star, Bell’s name never appeared alongside a man other than brother and business partner, Preston. In a world where media was primarily concerned with men’s dealings, it is clear that Bell stole the spotlight.
Unfortunately, Bell’s name disappears from Tulsa records after 1920.
King tells us that her great aunt Susie and Uncle Preston lost everything in the Tulsa Race Massacre.
Preston began to work as a day laborer and died with only a few dollars in his pocket. Bell attempted to open two more restaurants but never reclaimed the success that she once had.
In the 1960s, she relocated to Arkansas before moving to Los Angeles. There, she took up work as a housekeeper.
Family stories recall Bell moving back to Arkansas and sharing tips with girls in the family on skincare. She also always brought home citrus baskets.15 Author Interview with Jennifer King, March 17, 2021.
After going on a cruise, Bell contracted an illness and passed away within the decade. 16 Author Interview with Jennifer King, March 17, 2021.
Bell’s legacy lives on through the fascinating newspaper articles depicting her life as well as her family’s continued interest in who she was and how she thrived.
Take a short quiz on Susie Bell’s life!
Bibliography:
Author Interview (Makayla Swanson) with Jennifer King, March 17, 2021.
“Busy Bee Café.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star 7 April 1917; “Mrs. Susie Bell Sells her Café.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 1 February 1919; and “Local and Social News.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 21 August 1920.
Carlos Moreno Interview with Jennifer King, Gilcrease Museum, Tulsa, Oklahoma, February 26, 2021.
“Marriage Licenses.” Tulsa, Tulsa Daily Legal News, 3 February 1917; and “Publication Notice,” Tulsa Star, 9 October 1920.
“One of the Race’s Best Conducted Cafes.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 26 October 1918.
“Progress of the Race in Our Sister State,” Topeka Plaindealer (Topeka, Kansas), April 21, 1916.
“Prof. Roberts Dined.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 12 June 1920; and “Wedding Anniversary.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 27 November 1920.
“The Bell Café.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 25 April 1913; “In the Social Circle.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 5 June 1915; and “Bell and Little Café.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 21 February 1920.
“The Royal Cleaners and Tailor.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 20 March, 1915.
“Tulsa Colored Citizens.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 5 April 1920; and “To Aid Mt. Zion Church.” Tulsa, Tulsa Star, 30 October 1920.
Citation:
Makayla Swanson, “Susie Bell,” in Brandy Thomas Wells, ed. Women of Black Wall Street, 2021, https://blackwallstreetwomen.com/susie-bell/(Access Date)
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