Magnolia Ellis, “Magnificent Magnolia” (1893–1974)

Magnolia Ellis was a “magnetic healer.” Born in Hill County, Texas, she settled in Hot Springs, today’s Truth or Consequences, in 1937, and built a two-story residence and office that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. She denied being a faith healer, instead laying hands on patients who claimed to have a feeling of electricity when she touched them. Patients picked numbers, and Magnolia visited them in six different booths, sometimes seeing 100 patients a day. Magnificent Magnolia helped put Hot Springs on the map. .