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A Small Purse with a Big Story
Some stories survive because they are written down.
Others survive because people keep telling them.
At Lefty’s on the Square in Magnolia, Arkansas, one of those stories centers around a small black beaded purse that belonged to Stella Johnson, later Stella Miller. Today, the purse remains on display, connecting guests to a piece of Arkansas history that stretches from Hot Springs to the White House.
While the story has been passed down through generations, it remains one of the most cherished pieces of the Lefty’s story.
Who Was Stella Johnson?
Before she became Stella Miller, Stella Johnson was the daughter of hotel owner Manny Johnson.
Her life became intertwined with that of Francis “Lefty” Miller, the man who famously won the hotel in a card game in 1921 on three threes.
That card game would later inspire the name of the 333 Club, the original restaurant associated with the property and the inspiration behind many of the traditions still celebrated at Lefty’s today.
While Lefty traveled on business, Stella often helped oversee the hotel and its operations, becoming an important part of the building’s history.
Hot Springs, Arkansas in the 1920s
To understand the story of Stella’s purse, it helps to understand Hot Springs during the late 1920s.
At the time, Hot Springs was one of America’s most popular resort destinations. Visitors traveled from across the country to experience Bathhouse Row, stroll along Central Avenue, stay at the Arlington Hotel, and enjoy the region’s famous spring water.
The city attracted politicians, entertainers, athletes, and business leaders.
During this same era, Mountain Valley Spring Water was gaining national attention. President Calvin Coolidge became the first President of the United States to serve Mountain Valley Water in the White House, helping elevate the Arkansas brand to national prominence.
The Day Stella Dropped Her Coins
According to a story passed down through generations, Stella was walking along Central Avenue carrying a small black beaded purse.
What she did not realize was that a tear had developed along one side.
As she walked, coins began slipping through the opening and falling onto the sidewalk.
The man who noticed first was President Calvin Coolidge.
The story says Coolidge stopped, gathered the fallen coins, and returned them to Stella.
What began as a simple act of courtesy quickly turned into a conversation.
One conversation led to another.
And before the day was over, Stella and Lefty reportedly found themselves sharing dinner with the President of the United States.
The Purse That Survived a Century
Whether every detail has survived a century exactly as it happened is difficult to know.
What remains remarkable is that the purse itself survived.
Today, Stella’s black beaded purse remains on display at Lefty’s on the Square. It serves as a physical connection to a period when Hot Springs stood among America’s most celebrated destinations and when Arkansas played a surprising role in presidential history.
The purse has become one of the most talked-about artifacts inside the restaurant.
The Stella Coin Tradition
In recent years, guests began creating a tradition of their own.
After hearing Stella’s story, someone left a coin beneath the purse.
Then another.
Then another.
Over time, a collection began to form.
Today, visitors continue leaving coins beneath Stella’s purse as a tribute to the story, the history, and the woman behind it.
Some leave a coin for luck.
Some leave one to honor the story.
Others simply enjoy becoming part of a tradition that continues to grow.
Visit Lefty’s on the Square
Many restaurants have a history.
Few have stories that continue to evolve through the participation of their guests.
The story of Stella’s purse connects Hot Springs, Arkansas, President Calvin Coolidge, Mountain Valley Water, the 333 Club, and Lefty’s on the Square through a tradition that remains alive today.
The next time you visit, take a moment to look for the purse.
You might even decide to leave a coin of your own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Stella Johnson?
Stella Johnson later became Stella Miller and is a central figure in the stories surrounding Francis “Lefty” Miller, the 333 Club, and the history that inspired Lefty’s on the Square.
Is Stella’s purse real?
Yes. The black beaded purse remains on display at Lefty’s on the Square.
Did Calvin Coolidge really meet Stella?
According to stories passed down through generations, President Calvin Coolidge returned coins that had fallen from Stella’s purse while she was visiting Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Why do guests leave coins beneath the purse?
Guests began leaving coins as a tribute to Stella’s story. The tradition continues today and has become known as the Stella Coin Tradition.
Where can I see Stella’s purse?
The purse is displayed inside Lefty’s on the Square in Magnolia, Arkansas.
Related Stories at Lefty’s
- The Story Behind the 1921 Burger
- How Lefty Won the Hotel on Three Threes
- The Origins of the 333 Club