KASTEN PROPOSES LIMBAUGH STATUE; TRIBUTE TO LATE LAWYER FITTING, LAWMAKER SAYS

Rush H. Limbaugh's stature in Cape Girardeau could land his likeness in a statue, although his son, a federal judge, doesn't embrace the idea.

Limbaugh, one of the city's favorite sons, was the nation's oldest practicing lawyer when he died at his home here April 8 at the age of 104.

State Rep. Mary Kasten hopes to raise private funds to erect a life-size statue of Limbaugh. She has suggested that the statue be put in Common Pleas Courthouse Park.

The site contains one of the county's two courthouses where he practiced law. It overlooks downtown, which was once home of his law office.

Mayor Al Spradling III said the Common Pleas grounds, owned jointly by the city and county, would be an appropriate place for the statue. The park overlooks the Mississippi River.

"He loved the river," said Spradling.

If erected, it would join two other public statues in Cape Girardeau: the replica of the Statue of Liberty at Freedom Corner in Capaha Park and the Civil War soldier statue at Common Pleas Courthouse Park.

Fittingly perhaps, Limbaugh was the key speaker at the dedication of Cape Girardeau's Statue of Liberty Nov. 5, 1950, and at the rededication of the Civil War fountain and statue July 4, 1961.

The Limbaugh statue would be Cape Girardeau's only public monument to a person.

"This is a monumental task, pardon the pun, but one of great joy," Kasten wrote in a letter to various civic leaders earlier this month. "This statue would serve to honor him as well as our community."

Kasten said Wednesday morning that she hadn't talked to the Limbaugh family about the statue.

Limbaugh's son, U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, isn't ready for a monument to his father, although he appreciates the sentiments behind it.

"That is gilding the lily a little bit," he said Wednesday afternoon from his office in the Federal Building less than a block from Common Pleas Courthouse Park.

"I think that is going a little bit far," Limbaugh said.

He said it would be more appropriate for the city to honor its founder, Louis Lorimier, or leading citizen and entrepreneur Louis Houck.

Among other things, Houck was a lawyer, author, historian and a Southeast Missouri State University regent.

"If you are going to honor somebody in a public park, you better be careful who you honor," said Limbaugh, who plans to take senior status as a judge next week.

But Kasten can't imagine a better candidate for a statue than Rush Limbaugh.

Limbaugh was Cape Girardeau's most distinguished citizen, Kasten said Wednesday.

"To me, he was the most ideal American because he exemplified everything that is great and good about our country," she said.

"I am excited about it because I think there would be no better tribute to pay a great man."

A PROPOSED TRIBUTE

State Rep. Mary Kasten proposes a statue in Cape Girardeau's Common Pleas Courthouse Park as a tribute to Rush H. Limbaugh, a well-known Cape Girardeau lawyer who died April 8 at age 104. Limbaugh had ties to both of Cape Girardeau's statues: he was the main speaker at ceremonies for each.

Civil War Fountain Statue

Dedicated: Memorial Day (May 30), 1911, marking 50 years from the start of the Civil War. It was a memorial to the Union war dead. Main speaker was Gov. Herbert S. Hadley.

Location: Common Pleas Courthouse.

Dimensions: Basin -- 26 feet in diameter; fountain -- 26 feet high, surmounted by a statue of an Civil War-era infantry soldier.

Cost: $2,000 for the fountain/statue, plus about $1,000 for excavation and installation of water connections.

Manufacturer: Fiske Ironworks of New York. Erected here under supervision by H.J. Page, who also guided construction of Academic Hall.

Purchaser: Women's Relief Corps of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Rededication: It was rededicated on July 4, 1961, following extensive restoration work. This time the monument was dedicated to all men and women who gave their lives for their country. Main speaker was Rush H. Limbaugh. A second rededication followed more renovation work spearheaded by the Cape Girardeau Fire Department in 1982. Speaker was Associate Circuit Judge Marybelle Mueller.

Statue of Liberty

Dedicated: Nov. 5, 1950. Main speaker was Rush H. Limbaugh. During his address, he suggested that the location, which also contained the four brick columns bearing the names of war dead, be known as Freedom Corner.

Location: Northwest corner of Broadway and West End Boulevard, in Capaha Park.

Dimensions: Statue -- 8 feet 4 inches tall from base to torch; base -- 5 feet tall. Statue erected by William Gerhardt, local contractor.

Purchaser: Boy Scouts of the Cape Girardeau district.

Inscription: A plaque on the base reads, "With faith and courage of their forefathers who made possible the freedom of these United States, the Boy Scouts of America dedicate this copy of the statue of Liberty as a pledge of everlasting fidelity and loyalty. 40th Anniversary crusade to strengthen the arm of liberty, 1950."

Miscellaneous: Vandals tore the statue from its base on May 12, 1976 and threw it into a ditch on Sprigg near Bertling. After extensive repairs, the statue was returned to its pedestal early in July 1976, in time for the national Bicentennial celebration here.

Source: Southeast Missourian library

State Rep. Mary Kasten wants to know if the community is interested in this project. Call her at 334-3111 or 573-751-2459.