Four Fights Will Be Held Saturday – The article talks about the upcoming fight. Lester Dent was one of the volunteers who helped build the fighting ring and paint it.  Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, May 11, 1939, page 8

La Plata Band Will Play Each Wednesday – The band will play at the boxing exhibitions organized by Lester Dent. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, May 18, 1939

Four Bouts Will Be Held Saturday – Lester Dent is mentioned as having arranged the exhibitions. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, May 25, 1939

COMMERCE CLUB PLANS TO CONTINUE FREE FIGHTS – Lester Dent made report on the fights at last night’s meeting. He said he will be leaving to travel out west soon. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, June 22, 1939

August 1, 1939 – The Missouri Valley Association of the Amateur Athletic Union writes Dent to let him know his boxing matches in La Plata are unsanctioned. Source: WHMC Folder C3701_8

August 9, 1939 – Lester Dent writes to William Levy of the AAU concerning La Plata boxing matches. He thanks them for their letter and advises he will be applying for approval. Source: WHMC Folder C3701_8

August 9, 1939 – Lester Dent writes to Kenneth Sells of the AAU concerning La Plata boxing matches. Dent is trying to get his bouts sanctioned. Dent is writing from La Plata. Source: WHMC Folder C3701_8

October 3, 1939 – Lester Dent writes to A. H Cockerell in Kirksville, Missouri regarding boxing tournaments. Dent explains the situation La Plata found itself in last summer. He explains that the costs to comply with the regulations were prohibitive and they abandoned the boxing tournaments. Dent does not have kind words for the Missouri Valley Amateur Athletic Union and calls the setup something of a racket. Source: WHMC Folder C3701_8

Boxing Exhibitions Start Saturday Night – Boxing returns to La Plata on Saturday night. The events will be held in the town square. The event is sponsored by the La Plata Commerce Club. Lester Dent is on the entertainment committee organizing the fights. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, June 6, 1940

Robert Wilson Writes From California – The item is a letter dated July 29, 1940. Robert Wilson is serving on board the USS Maryland. The letter is long and one of the items he wonders about is Lester Dent and the Saturday night boxing exhibitions. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, August 1, 1940

The USS Maryland was one of the battleships moored at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  The ship was struck by two bombs but did not sink.  Four sailors were killed in the attack.  The ship traveled to the Puget Sound Naval Yard to repair battle damage and refit.  USS Maryland was back in action in June 1942.