Lester and Norma Dent are in from New York to his parents. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, September 10, 1936
La Plata To Dedicate New Highway Bridge – The dedication ceremony will be coupled with an all-night public dance. Lester Dent will give a lecture A Treasure Hunt in the Caribbean along with a movie of his recent efforts. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, September 10, 1936
Democrats in a Big Rally; Enthusiasm At High Tide – Lester Dent was present and made some remarks but those were not quoted in the article. Source: Macon Chronicle Herald, Tuesday, September 29, 1936
Bridge Dedication A Hugh Success – The article reports on the ceremony held in September. Lester Dent is credited with a large role in making the event a success. It states he spent his vacation in La Plata visiting his parents. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, October 1, 1936
LA PLATA
Young Democrats Have Big Meeting, A Man Who Does Something Appealing to Youth; Lester Dent Talks to Them – Lester Dent gave a well received speech on democracy and President Roosevelt on the prior Tuesday. The article notes that Dent was present with his sound equipment. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, October 1, 1936
A Great Crowd At Trenton – The town was the seat of a large Democratic rally. Lester Dent was present with his “sound truck.” Dent was described as an irrepressible Democrat. The article mentions that he is on vacation from new York. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, October 1, 1936
Lester Dent Helps The Public Schools – Dent will show the movie on his recent treasure expedition and give a lecture at at the La Plata High School gym on October 23. The article includes several lines of biographical information. The article notes that Lester Dent has written over 7 million words since he started his writing career. The admission proceeds from these shows will be used to help school children who have been affected by the drought. Dent has already scheduled lectures at nine schools with an estimated 20 more to follow. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, October 8, 1936
Dent mentions drought conditions in the above article. The entire nation was suffering from severe weather conditions of heat and drought. The Dust Bowl typified the problems farmers and people in general faced during this time. The Moberly Monitor Index edition of Wednesday, June 24, 1936 carried an article on the local drought conditions. Local conditions are described as “very severe” with critical shortages of water for towns and livestock. Lester Dent, in his own way, was trying to help those who had been most hurt by these events.
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Story Writer Will Lecture at CBC – Lester Dent will be at the college to lecture on October 23. He will show the movies he filmed on his recent treasure hunt in the Caribbean. The article states that Dent was a student in 1925 and worked for Western Union in Chillicothe. Source: The Chillicothe Constitution Tribune, Friday, October 9, 1936
WILL SHOW MOVIE PICTURES AND GIVE LECTURE AT HIGH SCHOOL – Lester Dent will give a lecture and show movies at the high school on Tuesday, October 20. The article mentions that C. C. Norfolk of New Cambria is Lester Dent’s uncle. Admission will be charged with the proceeds going to help needy school children. Source: New Cabria Leader, Thursday, October 15, 1936
LA PLATA
October 19, 1936 – Russell Scotten, Superintendent of Glenwood Public Schools writes to Dent asking if he would give one of his shows for them. A handwritten notation on the bottom indicates Dent responded in the negative but might be available at a later date. The letter is address to Lester Dent, LaPlata, Missouri. Source: WHMC Folder C3701_f5
October 19, 1936 – Black Mask editor Fanny Ellsworth writes Dent asking if he can do another story for the magazine. She notes that there were some small technical changes to the published version of “Angelfish” based on a conversation with Sinclair Oil geologist. There is a handwritten note on the bottom right stating that the letter was answered on October 25, 1936 with “maybe.” The letter is address to Route #3, LaPlata, Missouri. Source: WHMC Folder C3701_f5
October 20, 1936 – Edna Seyb, Superintendent of Kahoka Public Schools writes to thank Dent for his show on the previous Thursday (October 15). Ms. Seyb notes that $16.00 was raised by the event. The letter is address to Lester Dent, LaPlata, Missouri. Source: WHMC Folder C3701_f5
Lester Dent In Big Demand – The article goes over Dent’s efforts to provide aid for school children through his lectures and movies. Dent will appear at Chillicothe Business College tomorrow. This evening he will lecture before the Kirksville Kiwanis as well as several schools over the following days. Source: La Plata Home Press (La Plata, Missouri), Thursday, October 22, 1936
The Carnival, October 24 – Lester Dent’s Entertainment – A Student’s Impression of Lester Dent – There are three distinct articles on Lester Dent and his drought relief aid efforts. The main item is the Carnival at which Lester Dent lectured on Tuesday night. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of these short articles is the one on the student’s impressions of Lester Dent. One student described him as A human dynamo with unruly gray hair, sparkling blue, gray eyes, radiating his love of life. Source: New Cambria Leader, Thursday, October 22, 1936.
Lester Dent Gives Story of His Travels – The articles mentions that Dent lectures at Chillicothe Business College last night. The article is mostly biographical material on Dent. Source: The Chillicothe Constitution Tribune, Saturday, October 24, 1936
HIGH SCHOOL NOTES – Lester Dent, Eminent Lecturer and Writer, to be Here – The article notes Lester Dent will be at the school to give a lecture with movie on October 29. The event will be at 8 pm. Lester Dent will also demonstrate his electronic gold detection device along with his diving apparatus. Source: The Palmyra Spectator, Wednesday, October 21, 1936; The Marion County Standard, Wednesday, October 28, 1936; The Palmyra Spectator, Wednesday, October 28, 1936
October 30, 1936
Lester Dent’s uncle, James William Dent, dies on this date. Dent was crossing the street in the evening and was struck by an automobile. He died of his injuries later that night in the Kirksville hospital. He ran a harness shop and had been living in Knox City for the past forty-five years.
Source: La Plata Home Press, La Plata, Missouri, Thu, Nov 05, 1936 · Page 3
Source: Find A Grave Memorial ID 93997557
Large Crowd Enjoys Dent’s Lecture – The article writes about Dent’s lecture the prior night. Kenneth Sien and John Yauk were both in attendance. Lester Dent is spending his vacation this year lecturing in this area. Source: The Marion County Standard, Wednesday, November 4, 1936
Lester Dent gave a lecture at the Bucklin High School auditorium on Wednesday, November 4. Source: Bucklin Herald, Bucklin, Missouri, Friday, November 13, 1936