KIRBYVILLE, Texas, Dec. 21 -- The history of Kirbyville, vividly and simply told, is contained within the pages of a perennial diary kept for the past 15 years by one of this city's most beloved residents, Mrs. H. M. Gilbert, Sr.

Oldest charter member of the local Order of the Eastern Star, the venerable Mrs. Gilbert was honored last Friday with a surprise birthday party--the occasion being "Mother Gilbert" and her diary are famous throughout this section, somehow nobody had ever thought of giving a party in special honor of her own valuable self. Nobody therefore, was more surprised than the venial honor[ed] guest, nor happier. Even her husband, "Uncle Hal" Gilbert, was there, although ill health has confined him close to his fireside for more than two years.

Mrs. Gilbert was among the charter members who organized the local Order of the Eastern Star years ago here, and has been an active member ever since, rain or shine. She is called the "Eastern Star Mother" locally.

A big cake, with a smaller cake centering it, was presented to her. The smaller cake being topped by a star made of 67 candles. In addition to the cake, the group presented Mother Gilbert with a beautiful painting, "Christ On the Mount of Olives."

Besides being an ardent member for 30 years, Mrs. Gilbert is a past matron of the O. E. S.

Active in anything she has ever entered into, Mrs. Gilbert is a tireless churchworker. When she first came to Kirbyville in 1902, the churches of Kirbyville worshipped in the same building, a small wooden structure. She helped make a drive for the building of a Methodist church, and has been a member since it was established here 30 years ago.

Mrs. Gilbert was born in Winchester, Tenn., near Nashville, Dec. 14, 1868. Her parents were among the first settlers of the state of Tennessee, and with her parents she settled in Texas, near Austin, in 1879. They moved to Newton county in 1881, and in 1902 she and Mr. Gilbert moved into the old Edwards house here, a rambling manse in the heart of the business district. They resided here for 25 years. The edifice was destroyed by fire about 10 years ago.

Mrs. Gilbert has kept an accurate account of Kirbyville and Jasper county history for the past 15 years in her diary. She has mentioned the passing of many of the old timers of the county and every political move of interest in this section. In her diary, too, she gives an account of her daily life. She reads constantly, and admits getting a huge "kick" out of detective stories "on the side."

She is the mother of five stalwart sons, all business men, and one daughter. They are J. F. Gilbert, Beaumont, insurance man; H. M. Gilbert, Jr., Anahuac, Rexall Drug store, Reagan Gilbert, Corrigan, newspaper editor and publisher; Herman Gilbert, Kirbyville, insurance, and Morris Gilbert, the youngest, Beaumont, oil business. The daughter is Mrs. C. H. Brahan of Houston.

Attending the party for her were Mesdames B. W. Martin, Ross Cahal, Nellie Pry, Pauline Richardson, Evye Kenn[...] Richards, Hebo Hall, J. M. Bennett, Mary O. Moore, E. L. Wiel, Mabel Williams, Miss Mae Fraizer, Miss Lola Lee Hall, Mr. and Mrs. B. P. Walker, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Gee, Mr. F. L. Moore and the honored guests, Mr. and Mrs. H. M. Gilbert, Sr.