TRIBUTE RECOGNIZES ERLBACHER'S GENEROSITY

Long-awaited and well-deserved, a fitting tribute recently came the way of the Erlbacher family for making possible the donation of the Glenn House to the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau back in 1968.

The recognition came in the form of an 18-page scrapbook documenting the generosity of the late Robert and Mabel Erlbacher.

It was the Erlbachers who donated the Victorian mansion that became Cape Girardeau's historic showplace.

In the years before his death five years ago at the age of 104, well-known Cape Girardeau lawyer Rush Limbaugh Sr. had begun work on a tribute to the Erlbachers. Seeing he could no longer complete his work, Limbaugh asked his son, U.S. District Judge Stephen N. Limbaugh, to finish the task.

Earlier this month Judge Limbaugh presented the scrapbook containing the tribute to the Historical Association of Greater Cape Girardeau. Among those present were the Erlbachers' children, Robert Erlbacher II and Elizabeth Ann Erlbacher Dombrowski, both of Cape. The historical association presented them with a plaque of appreciation.

The scrapbook consists of a biography of the family along with photographs of family members, employees and the boats they built. It will be kept in the River Room at the Glenn House.

The Glenn House is a jewel in Cape's crown. We join many other grateful citizens in saluting the Erlbachers.