Stirpes, Volume 34, Number 1, March 1994 Page: 32

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Paul remembers another unforgettable incident when in about 1930 a plane from
Randolph Field in San Antonio crashed on a ranch north of Benavides. The one survivor, Lt.
Lowe, who parachuted out, walked miles until he found a ranch house. That family then drove
Lt. Lowe to the Taulbee home in a Model-T Ford, and Dr. Taulbee returned with them to find
the plane and extract the body of another army air force officer. They then returned to the
Taulbee home where Dr. Taulbee prepared the body for return to San Antonio
Howard thinks that 90% of his grandfather's patients were charity patients. People had
a stock phrase when they were treated, "I'll pay you when I pick my cotton." His fee (which
was seldom paid) for a delivery was $25. All babies were delivered at home. Howard as a
young child remembers his grandfather going on labor cases in the side car of a motorcycle, on
horseback, on the Tex-Mex railroad cars, or in their old Dodge.
Dr. Taulbee never sent a bill out in his entire life. He never refused medical treatment
to anyone, either. His was the first welfare program in the area.
If they had no money, some patients made some effort to pay somehow, although some
never did. The Taulbee children at times got a pet raccoon from a patient, sling shots, and
once they got two dressed javelinas as well as two hindquarters of venison (both being out of
season, of course). Even a labor case was paid by naming the boy Doctor James M. Taulbee
Hinojosa. Food such as chickens, eggs, Mexican dishes, were often used for payment.
Some patients would pay fifty cents to two dollars for an office call after Dr. Taulbee
would spend an hour stitching up a knife wound.
The Farias family, who owned and operated the Empress Theater, owed Dr. Taulbee
so much that members of the family never paid a cent to see a movie. Also, two barbers who
were brothers gave the entire family haircuts to pay for part of their medical bills.
The hobos, and there were many during those times, were always welcomed in the
Taulbee home. Many hobos hopped off a train in Benavides, for they knew they could get a
good meal at the Taulbee home. Mrs. Taulbee never turned anyone away.
Howard has always told his own children of the many Thanksgivings they shared with
people on the road -- not just a handout on the porch, or a plate in the kitchen, but seated at
the table as an honored guest with the entire Taulbee family.
In addition to the hobos, there were often other guests, for it seemed as if the Taulbees
always had company. The church was right across the road from their home. (Later after their
grandmother died, the family bought a stained glass window for the church as a memorial to
their grandmother).
When a preacher would come in to hold services at the church, he invariably stayed
across the street with the Taulbee family. Once a Latin preacher came to hold Spanish services,
and he and his family of eight children stayed with the Taulbees for an entire week.
A Congressman from Virginia who was a family friend stopped by to see and visit with
the Taulbees every year in their home. He had the distinction of being the first Republican
elected in Virginia since the Civil War. His name was Boscom Slimp.
For a few years a colored couple helped the Taulbees. They lived in a little house in
the back of the main home. This little house was demolished many years ago.
Then about 1932-1934 the Taulbee children had a governess for two years. The very
back room of the house was set up as a school room where the governess taught the children,
Paul, Howard, their sister Anne, and William, a younger brother who later died.
Several other interesting people lived in the Taulbee home. Their Uncle James lived
with them except for the time he was in the navy. Many years later, after World War II and
after he retired as captain from the navy, he visited the Taulbees in Illinois, and they
corresponded until he died. All during those visits, most of their conversations were about
Benavides.

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