September 1977 – Madison, WI
Reverend Wayne Dillabaugh was accused of misdemeanor battery for excessively spanking a 5-year-old
boy. He was arraigned at the City-County Building and refused to either sign a signature bond or
pay the $200 cash bail set by Judge Eich. Dillabaugh spent that night in jail. Around this same time
period Dillabaugh had been very vocal about the evils of the downtown nude dance club, the
Dangle Lounge.
Al Reichenberger, owner of the Dangle, decided it would be funny to go and pay Dillabaugh's bail.
Along with attorney
Eddie Ben Elson he went to the jail and paid
the bail.
Upon learning who had posted bail Dillabaugh reportedly yelled “Oh, my God! No!” To which Elson
replied “Don't worry! We'll get you out!” Dillabaugh refused to leave. He called the bail “funny
money.” Meanwhile supporters of Dillabaugh were gathering outside. Elson filed motions with the
court insisting that if Dillabaugh refused to leave jail, he should be charged room and board.
Judge William Buenzli then ordered him released, with no bail posted. The Dangle was just opening
for business at the time of his release, and being just a couple blocks away, Dillabaugh and his
supporters walked down and held a rally outside. Reichenberger would later say, “Biggest night
we ever had.”
Reverend Wayne Dillabaugh – Minister at the Northport Baptist Church
Al Reichenberger – Owner, The Dangle Lounge
Eddie Ben Elson – Attorney & Prankster
Another Eddie Ben Elson Story
