Limbaugh legacy to be published in his own words

Longtime Cape Girardeau lawyer Rush Hudson Limbaugh Sr. will be remembered this year in a new book from the Southeast Missouri State University Press, a work that brings together a collection of his own words.

Limbaugh's thoughts in the book titled "Rush Hudson Limbaugh and His Times: Reflections on a Life Well-Lived" came from four taped interviews that retired history professor George Suggs conducted over a six-month period, from August 1987 to February 1988.

Limbaugh died on April 8, 1996, at his home at the age of 104.

"I deeply admired and respected this man," Suggs said. Limbaugh, he said, had "bedrock integrity."

"You somehow sensed you were in the presence of someone who had an innate goodness about him," Suggs said.

Limbaugh left a legacy of lawyering wrapped up in a solid commitment to civic duty.

Limbaugh's son, Stephen N. Limbaugh Sr., is a federal judge in St. Louis. The son put together a detailed biographical sketch of his father in the late 1980s, which is included in the book.

Rush H. Limbaugh Sr. practiced law for many years with another son, Rush H. Limbaugh Jr., who died in 1990 at the age of 72.

Limbaugh's most famous grandson bears his name: Rush Limbaugh III is a nationally known, conservative radio talk-show host who, in 2001, signed the highest-priced radio deal in broadcasting history.

Other grandsons include Stephen N. Limbaugh Jr., chief justice of the Missouri Supreme Court, and David Limbaugh, a Cape Girardeau lawyer and syndicated political columnist.

Limbaugh's life spanned more than a century of change, from the days of the horse and buggy to the space shuttle.

He remembered Cape Girardeau before there was a Mississippi River bridge, a floodwall along the riverfront, a Marquette Hotel or a shoe factory. He remembered when the city had dirt streets and street cars.

He recalled President William Howard Taft's visit to Cape Girardeau in 1909, the opening of the Mississippi River bridge in 1928 and Houck Stadium in 1930.

"This man had an absolutely fantastic memory," Suggs said.

Dr. Frank Nickell, who directs the Center for Regional History at Southeast and is co-director of the Southeast Missouri State University Press, said Limbaugh was still practicing law when he was 101.

Suggs, who has written five history books, said he never intended to turn the interviews with Limbaugh into a book. He said Nickell suggested the idea about two years ago.

"This is really not a biography but kind of digging into his life through interviews," said Suggs.

The lengthy interviews focused on four themes: Limbaugh's involvement in Centenary United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, his memories of his early life and early education, his reflections on his legal career and his reflections on his years of public service.

Suggs, who attended the same church as Limbaugh, said he initially wanted to interview the well-known lawyer to record the history of the church. Limbaugh joined the church in 1910.

"He did everything you could do in the Methodist church except be ordained," Suggs said.

Suggs' 260-page manuscript includes 23 photos of Limbaugh. One of Nickell's favorites shows Limbaugh in 1936 as a delegate to the Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

"There's a dapper guy," Nickell said, gazing at the photo.

Limbaugh's legal career included stints as Cape Girardeau city attorney. He was paid $3 for every conviction.

He also served briefly as a prosecuting attorney during World War II.

He loved the law and said so in one of the interviews with Suggs. "I don't know quite how a man proceeds in business today without a lawyer," Limbaugh said. "I think that his position is precarious enough with a lawyer and without I hardly see how one could conduct a business of consequence."

Limbaugh was active in civic affairs, everything from the Boy Scouts to the board of trustees of Southeast Missouri Hospital. He served four years on the school board.

He served as a state representative for two years, 1931 to 1932. During that he time, he helped create the Missouri State Highway Patrol and backed the consolidation of public schools.

He was 40 when he was elected to the Legislature. He and other lawmakers were paid $5 a day.

Suggs said that's why he only served one term in the Legislature.

"He couldn't afford it," Suggs said.

Dr. Susan Swartwout, an associate professor of English and co-director of the university press, said Suggs' book could be published by late spring.

She said the first printing will involve about 2,000 paperback copies and maybe 200 hardcover copies.

mbliss@semissourian.com

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