Motor Service Extends Lines

Extension of the Bowen Motor Coach service from Houston to Corpus Christi, connecting there with the Missouri Pacific motor coaches from the Valley, was announced in Brownsville Saturday by Mrs. Opal D. Price of Corpus Christi, assistant general manager for Bowen Motor Coaches.

Mrs. Price, accompanied by Miss Lucille Bowden, her secretary, and Carl Curlee, also of Corpus Christi, returned to that city Saturday after spending several days in the Valley in behalf of the new service.

"We are very proud of our new 'Midnight Flyer' service out of Corpus Christi at 12:01 a. m.," Mrs. Price said. She said that bus will connect at Corpus Christi with the Missouri Pacific bus leaving Brownsville at 7 p. m.

Mrs. Price enjoys the reputation of being the only woman bus line executive in the state. She formerly owned and operated a line between Palacios and Houston, disposing of it to the Bowen lines, and joining their executive staff.

Brownsville Herald, October 14, 1934
 

Bus Line Official Here

Mrs. Opal D. Price, assistant general manager of Bowen Motor Coaches, was in Brownsville Friday with an announcement of an addition al bus service between Houston and Corpus Christi, connecting at Corpus Christi, connecting at Corpus with the Missouri Pacific coaches to the Valley. Busses now leave Corpus Christi four times daily, with a similar southbound from Houston.

Brownsville Herald, December 1, 1934
 

Crescent Drug Store Owned by Jno. D. Bowden Since 1913

The Crescent Drug Store owned and operated by Mr. and Mrs. Jno. D. Bowden is one of the busiest and most popular places in the business district of Palacios.

Dr. Bowden, O. D. has been a familiar figure in the business since 1913. At that time he purchased the business of Dr. Baldwin and has remained in the same business ever since, and as incredible as it may seem for a man of his versatile nature, Dr. Bowden has been in the same business twenty six years without changing businesses, branching out into another or forming a partnership.

Aside from his business the City of Palacios has the good fortune of having him always ready and willing to donate his time. He has been Fire Chief the greater part of the time for twenty-five years and is the collector for the gas company. In addition to these things he finds time to be the ticket agent for the Bowen Bus Lines and is the United States Weather Bureau Display Man. He is a member of the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce and takes a great interest in the civic life of Palacios.

Mrs. Bowden, who assists Mr. Bowden in the store, is just naturally an active business person having been in public life a great many years. She has the distinction of having been the first woman Secretary of the Chamber of Commerce in the State of Texas. This position she held in San Saba where she resided before coming to Palacios at the time of her marriage to Dr. Bowden about four years ago. For several years Mrs. Bowden was Supervisor of Welfare Work in San Saba and her political activities include being Assistant Campaign Manager for Congressman South.

Mrs. Bowden is one of those rare persons who have the capacity to diversify their live so that they not only have time for business but enjoy a great deal of the sports and social life and are able to be active in the civic and charitable projects of the community.

Palacios Beacon, October 19, 1939
 

New Bus Schedule

The Bowen Bus line from Houston to Corpus Christi, through Palacios, is not running on a new schedule which became effective Saturday, July 1. Going to Houston the bus leaves here at 9:25 in the morning and 4:15 in the afternoon, and coming from Houston it arrives in Palacios at 11:44 a. m. and 8:05 p. m.

It is now a through service to Corpus Christi, where connections are made with bus to San Antonio and the Valley.

Palacios Beacon, October 19, 1939
 

New Bowen Bus Station - Palacios, Texas

This four-room tile and brick structure was built by J. L. Pybus and the Bowen Motor Coaches occupied the two middle portions of the structure. The bus line has previously been operated out of the Crescent Drug Store, but when Camp Hulen was selected as a training camp, an increase in bus service was necessary. This new location was opened in April, 1941.
 

The Pybus building appears on this 1946 Sanborn insurance map. The second section from left is labeled
Bus Station and the one to the right of it was designed to allow the buses to drive through the building.
 

All schedules of the Bowen Motor Coaches will be slowed so that they may be operated at a top speed of 40 mph, it was announced by Bowen officials. This action is taken in order to conserve rubber and other materials vital to the war industry. Victoria patrons are urged to contact the local agent for new connections to Corpus Christi, Houston, San Antonio and Camp Hulen at Palacios.

Victoria Advocate, June 15, 1942
 

Bird's eye view of Palacios with the buses located in the right foreground
 

Bus Station Moves To New Location Corner Main and 4th

The Koerber building at the corner of 4th and Main streets is the new home for the bus station, the change being made Monday. Mr. E. A. Starrett, who has been terminal manager the past two years will continue to be in charge and plans to operate a cold drink, ice cream and candy service in connection with the station.

The Continental Trailways, formerly the Bowen Motor Coaches has served Palacios for the past ten years and its first office was located in the Crescent Drug Store, with John D. Bowden in charge. When Camp Hulen was selected as a training camp, the increase in business necessitated a change, and in April 1941, the station was moved into a new location on Main Street, built and arranged to better serve the traveling public at that time. It occupied the two central sections of a four-room brick and tile structure just completed by Mr. J. L. Pybus. At that time there was a daily schedule of twenty-two buses and besides direct routes to Houston, Corpus Christi, San Antonio, Victoria and El Campo, an hourly service was maintained to Camp Hulen for the convenience of the thousands of men who trained there and the hundreds of civilian employees. Jerry Marbury was agent, and a crew from 12 to 15 helpers employed.

When training ceased and activities almost nil in the camp, bus service there was discontinued, the large quarters became another war casualty.

Palacios continues to be provided with a splendid service, four buses to the east and north each day and three going to Corpus Christi and other towns in that direction.

Mr. Starrett states, "The Continental Trailways have a fleet of 130 new buses. Nine of these have already been delivered. The Continental is the first bus company in the entire southwest to offer new postwar equipment to the traveling public. The new red and cream busses have air conditioning units, enunciator systems, radio, individual reading lamps, and thermostatic controlled temperature. These busses also have shatter proof, heat absorbing, non-glare safety glass in all windows."

Palacios Beacon, April 11, 1946
 

Pybus Building pictured on right with Petersen's Restaurant and Ben Franklin to the left c 1960s
 

Pybus Building pictured on the right in this street scene after the bus office was moved.- Palacios, Texas  c 1950s
 

Pybus Building pictured at left where brick was painted on the first three portions c 1970s
 

Pybus Building on February 8, 2015.

Graveside Services Held Friday For Mrs. John T. (Opal) Price

The Rev. Richard E. Stone officiated at graveside services for Mrs. John T. (Opal) Price, Friday morning at 10 at the Palacios Cemetery.

Born January 12, 1883 in Tiptonville, Tenn., she had been a resident of Palacios for many years. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church. After an illness of several months she passed away at the Memorial Hospital in Houston, Wednesday, May 11.

Survivors include her niece, Mrs. Helen Coe of Bay City and a nephew, C. C. Cates of Tiptonville.

Palacios Beacon, May 19, 1960
 

Funeral Services For John Pybus, 88, Are Held Monday

Final rites for John Lacy Pybus, a life-long resident of Matagorda County, were held at the Palacios Funeral Home Monday. Mr. Pybus was 88 years old.

The retired farmer-rancher died Sunday in Palacios.

The Rev. Logan Cockrum officiated at the last rites with the Masonic Lodge in charge of interment.

Mr. Pybus is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Carlton Crawford of Palacios; a brother, F. G. Pybus of Conroe, and four grandchildren.

Matagorda County Tribune, September 8, 1955            [Buried Palacios Cemetery, Matagorda County, Texas]