DaytonDigger
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The Dayton Mineral Water bottle pictured above right was found in a
privy in Dayton not far from home. I pride myself in taking care of
others lawns and properties. I lay down tarps around the privy dig. I
then remove the sod in one foot square sections and lay off to the
side. The hole is carefully excavated down the side of the walls 'til we
hit bottom. The bottles are carefully dug from "use" layers and the
occasional single throw in the fill. I then reverse the process, making
sure to end with a smart. tidy appearance. At the end of the dig, we do
a pick. Diggers flip a coin to determine the pick order and the property
owner is given the option to have a pick. We continue the pick order
until all items are picked or abandoned. I will usually come back from
time to time to check for any settling or glass on the surface. Sanborn
maps are often used to see what a lot looked like in the late 1800's.
Occasionally the outhouse will be located on these maps. A T-handle
probe is used to locate any obvious differences in the ground. Such
as finding rock or gravel at three feet everywhere and then suddenly
the probe goes in to the handle, any difference requires more
attention.
privy in Dayton not far from home. I pride myself in taking care of
others lawns and properties. I lay down tarps around the privy dig. I
then remove the sod in one foot square sections and lay off to the
side. The hole is carefully excavated down the side of the walls 'til we
hit bottom. The bottles are carefully dug from "use" layers and the
occasional single throw in the fill. I then reverse the process, making
sure to end with a smart. tidy appearance. At the end of the dig, we do
a pick. Diggers flip a coin to determine the pick order and the property
owner is given the option to have a pick. We continue the pick order
until all items are picked or abandoned. I will usually come back from
time to time to check for any settling or glass on the surface. Sanborn
maps are often used to see what a lot looked like in the late 1800's.
Occasionally the outhouse will be located on these maps. A T-handle
probe is used to locate any obvious differences in the ground. Such
as finding rock or gravel at three feet everywhere and then suddenly
the probe goes in to the handle, any difference requires more
attention.
A hundred-plus years ago, there were no garbage trucks stopping by
and picking up the family trash. Each family had to dispose of trash
on their own. The common method was to burn what they could, and
to bury the items that would not burn. These non-combustible items
included bottles, jars, cans and ceramics. The most common place
to throw these items was into the family outhouse pit. Those “privies”
were used for 10 to 20 years until they filled. The bottles and jars
tossed out so long ago are now very collectable. Each and every city
lot that pre-dates indoor plumbing has a stockpile of bottles and jars
buried in it.
I locate the former privy using a spring-metal probe. Next, I lay down
tarps, cut the sod and set it off to the side. I then dig up the privy
recovering its contents. The 100 plus year privies are sanitary.
Bacteria has broken down the organic wastes and converted it to soil.
When we reach the bottom, we reverse the process. The hole is filled
and the sod is returned. I return in a month to make sure the area
has returned to its pre-dig condition.
and picking up the family trash. Each family had to dispose of trash
on their own. The common method was to burn what they could, and
to bury the items that would not burn. These non-combustible items
included bottles, jars, cans and ceramics. The most common place
to throw these items was into the family outhouse pit. Those “privies”
were used for 10 to 20 years until they filled. The bottles and jars
tossed out so long ago are now very collectable. Each and every city
lot that pre-dates indoor plumbing has a stockpile of bottles and jars
buried in it.
I locate the former privy using a spring-metal probe. Next, I lay down
tarps, cut the sod and set it off to the side. I then dig up the privy
recovering its contents. The 100 plus year privies are sanitary.
Bacteria has broken down the organic wastes and converted it to soil.
When we reach the bottom, we reverse the process. The hole is filled
and the sod is returned. I return in a month to make sure the area
has returned to its pre-dig condition.
2 1913 Barber dimes, 3 1943 "mercury head"dimes. 1920 merc and a silver
Roosevelt dime were the stars of the day on this particular hunt. All coins and
tokens were recovered using Fisher metal detectors.
Roosevelt dime were the stars of the day on this particular hunt. All coins and
tokens were recovered using Fisher metal detectors.
Silver including Barber dime(1900), Winged Liberty Head Dimes(commonly
called Mercury Head), a 35% silver war time nickel and a silver ring fashioned
from a British six pence.
called Mercury Head), a 35% silver war time nickel and a silver ring fashioned
from a British six pence.
This mineral water hutch remains a favorite. A "hutch" is named after the
inventor and used a wire stopper with metal plates and rubber gaskets.
1880's to 1910's typically. Replaced by the crown top.
inventor and used a wire stopper with metal plates and rubber gaskets.
1880's to 1910's typically. Replaced by the crown top.
Mike K. from down Cinci way is busy opening this tight little hole up. Mike
knows his stuff and has a lot of fine bottles to prove it. I always look forward to
digging with him.
knows his stuff and has a lot of fine bottles to prove it. I always look forward to
digging with him.
A close up of three "mercury head" dimes as found. These and several other
silver coins, wheat pennies, indian head pennies, buffalo nickels etc. were all
recovered from a picnic grounds dating to the turn of the 19th/20th century.
silver coins, wheat pennies, indian head pennies, buffalo nickels etc. were all
recovered from a picnic grounds dating to the turn of the 19th/20th century.
I prefer metal detecting but I also privy dig, prospect, dump dig and
collect tokens. I would love to search old mining camps and older city
lots to locate tokens. Tokens were privately issued "coins"
essentially. They were typically good for trade for products or services
at various retailers and manufacturers. Many mines, quarries and
manufacturers issued tokens called "scrip" to be used by employees
in the comany store. I have found lumber scrip, but have yet to locate
any mining scrip. Over the years I've found gold rings, coins from
1823 on up, tokens of various shapes and sizes and other precious
metal pieces of jewelry. I enjoy finding "whatsits" which are items that
require research to find out what they are or what they were used for.
Sometimes you just dont know what it is or was until someone else
comes along and says " wow thats a ......." . One of my co-workers
likes to say " I bet thats a piece of something". Thanks, John that
helps alot. Many homeowners after talking with me and seeing how
careful I am at retreiving finds and leaving no trace of having dug have
giving me permission to detect there properies at will. I meet a lot of
fine people in this hobby.
collect tokens. I would love to search old mining camps and older city
lots to locate tokens. Tokens were privately issued "coins"
essentially. They were typically good for trade for products or services
at various retailers and manufacturers. Many mines, quarries and
manufacturers issued tokens called "scrip" to be used by employees
in the comany store. I have found lumber scrip, but have yet to locate
any mining scrip. Over the years I've found gold rings, coins from
1823 on up, tokens of various shapes and sizes and other precious
metal pieces of jewelry. I enjoy finding "whatsits" which are items that
require research to find out what they are or what they were used for.
Sometimes you just dont know what it is or was until someone else
comes along and says " wow thats a ......." . One of my co-workers
likes to say " I bet thats a piece of something". Thanks, John that
helps alot. Many homeowners after talking with me and seeing how
careful I am at retreiving finds and leaving no trace of having dug have
giving me permission to detect there properies at will. I meet a lot of
fine people in this hobby.
Hello, I'm looking for older properties to metal detect. I leave no
damage to your lawn and I am willing to share the finds. Typical
items found include; coins, tokens, artifacts and occasionally jewelry.
I collect tokens primarily and some coins. I would like to keep any
tokens and certain coins. Any jewelry or family keepsakes are yours
to keep. The coins can be split with me getting first pick. Anything
with substantial value, such as a cache of money should be split
evenly. I've been doing this for 25 plus years. I run this
add online, newsletters, newspapers and magazines to find new
properties to explore. I am happy to say that it has worked well for me
and has developed some good friendships along the way. I enjoy
history very much, and feel that I am recovering small items of the
past that may have been lost forever. The items I seek are not likely
to be the focus of any archeolgical digs. Coins, tokens and various
pieces of American life are brought to the surface thanks to my
Fisher CZ-5 metal detector. I wouldn't trade this machine for
anything. If you want to see what lies below the ground on your
property, let me know. I also can locate lost rings for you.
damage to your lawn and I am willing to share the finds. Typical
items found include; coins, tokens, artifacts and occasionally jewelry.
I collect tokens primarily and some coins. I would like to keep any
tokens and certain coins. Any jewelry or family keepsakes are yours
to keep. The coins can be split with me getting first pick. Anything
with substantial value, such as a cache of money should be split
evenly. I've been doing this for 25 plus years. I run this
add online, newsletters, newspapers and magazines to find new
properties to explore. I am happy to say that it has worked well for me
and has developed some good friendships along the way. I enjoy
history very much, and feel that I am recovering small items of the
past that may have been lost forever. The items I seek are not likely
to be the focus of any archeolgical digs. Coins, tokens and various
pieces of American life are brought to the surface thanks to my
Fisher CZ-5 metal detector. I wouldn't trade this machine for
anything. If you want to see what lies below the ground on your
property, let me know. I also can locate lost rings for you.
We are dump diggers!! If we see rust or old bottles peeking out from
under the leaves, me and my buddies want to dig it up. If you know of
an old dump that needs cleaned up, let us know. We just might haul
some of it off. If your a bottle digger and you see cans, please let me
know. If your a can digger and you see bottles, let me know. I don't
sell my finds, but I do build up a trade stock to swap for other items
I'm interested in. I enjoy digging up painted label bottles, embossed
bottles, flat top and cone top cans, beer or soda, oil cans, license
plates and old signs. A soak in a mild acid will take rust off of cans
and other metal ware. WE DIG RUST!! I love to walk old farms in
search of the old farm dump. You've got to remember that we haven't
always had trash removal service. One used to have to burn their
combustibles and then find a good place to dump the rest.
under the leaves, me and my buddies want to dig it up. If you know of
an old dump that needs cleaned up, let us know. We just might haul
some of it off. If your a bottle digger and you see cans, please let me
know. If your a can digger and you see bottles, let me know. I don't
sell my finds, but I do build up a trade stock to swap for other items
I'm interested in. I enjoy digging up painted label bottles, embossed
bottles, flat top and cone top cans, beer or soda, oil cans, license
plates and old signs. A soak in a mild acid will take rust off of cans
and other metal ware. WE DIG RUST!! I love to walk old farms in
search of the old farm dump. You've got to remember that we haven't
always had trash removal service. One used to have to burn their
combustibles and then find a good place to dump the rest.
I WILL fill all excavations. I WILL appreciate and protect our heritage of natural resources, wildlife, and private property. I WILL use thoughtfulness, consideration, and courtesy at all times. I WILL build fires in designated or safe places only. I WILL leave gates as found. I WILL remove and properly dispose of any trash that I find. I WILL NOT litter. I WILL NOT destroy property, buildings, or what is left of ghost towns and deserted structures. I WILL NOT tamper with signs, structural facilities, or equipment. |
To the left are more coins from the picnic grounds. All of these coins were
recovered with full permission from the property owners. I make sure I leave
the area in as good or better condition than when I arrived. The 1945 Walking
Liberty Half Dollar is a beauty and was in the same whole with a 1946 and
1950 silver quarter. The other half is a 1964-D Kennedy. Also found: 1909
Barber quarter, 4 mercs and 5 silver rosies.
recovered with full permission from the property owners. I make sure I leave
the area in as good or better condition than when I arrived. The 1945 Walking
Liberty Half Dollar is a beauty and was in the same whole with a 1946 and
1950 silver quarter. The other half is a 1964-D Kennedy. Also found: 1909
Barber quarter, 4 mercs and 5 silver rosies.