Gilbert, Charles E. (Charles Edwin), 1888-

Alabama native Charles Edwin Gilbert (b. 1855) moved to Navasota, Texas, in 1876. After five years managing The Navasota Tablet, he relocated with his wife Trudie (Wilson), daughter Gertrude, and sisters Mary and Lyda to Abilene in 1881 to capitalize on the expansion of the Texas and Pacific Railroad. Only three months after the town's founding, Gilbert produced the first editions of the The Abilene Reporter out of a tent. A year later, William L. Gibbs founded the Magnetic Quill, a direct competitor to Gilbert that opposed him on nearly every issue, eventually leading to a duel between the two men. In 1886, Gilbert sold the Reporter and moved to Dallas, where he published the Dallas Herald until 1894. He went on to publish newspapers in Nacogdoches, Austin, and Bay City and to found the Texas Afternoon Press Association and Southern Afternoon Press Association.

Source:

"120 Years in Abilene." The Abilene Reporter-News, June 17, 2001.

From the guide to the Gilbert, Charles Edwin, Papers 78-70., Undated, (Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin)

Alabama native Charles Edwin Gilbert (b. 1855) moved to Navasota, Texas, in 1876.

After five years managing The Navasota Tablet, he relocated with his wife Trudie (Wilson), daughter Gertrude, and sisters Mary and Lyda to Abilene in 1881 to capitalize on the expansion of the Texas and Pacific Railroad. Only three months after the town's founding, Gilbert produced the first editions of the The Abilene Reporter out of a tent. A year later, William L. Gibbs founded the Magnetic Quill, a direct competitor to Gilbert that opposed him on nearly every issue, eventually leading to a duel between the two men. In 1886, Gilbert sold the Reporter and moved to Dallas, where he published the Dallas Herald until 1894. He went on to publish newspapers in Nacogdoches, Austin, and Bay City and to found the Texas Afternoon Press Association and Southern Afternoon Press Association.

From the description of Gilbert, Charles Edwin, Papers, Undated (University of Texas Libraries). WorldCat record id: 746346719