I was ask by TR if I would write a few articles concerning bottles for the next couple of months for the Depot Online Magazine. I said "sure, why not"

and now all I have to do is figure out what to write about.

As a collector of bottles for over 30+ years, I am suppose to have some knowledge of the basics of digging up bottles and all their go-withs. When I started my venture into the hobby it was very different from what we have today. My first bottle (an olive-green, pontiled snuff C:1850) was actually found along a bayou embankment. I guess, you can say I was hooked. Since then, I have added many more other types of bottles to my collection. Many which I dug myself and some that I have purchased from others at local bottle shows and some by just pure out and out horse trading.

To start with in bottle digging, RESEARCH is a must. The areas around your home or within a short distance can be both rewarding and sometimes disappointing as the evil of progress has taken a toll on many older homes, homesites, etc..

Fortunately, I was blessed to live within driving distance of an older American City and had some friends who shared both their knowledge and methods of recovering what laid beneath the ground with me.

In doing the research, books and maps are essential tools of the trade along with the shovel, probe, gloves, potato forks, buckets(not to fail to mention-a strong back) in many cases.

After researching an area and knocking on doors, you might be able to obtain permission to dig in the backyard for the privy. A privy or pool as some folks call it is normally found close to the rear of the house. As there was no indoor plumbing to speak of in may of these fine old homes, a hole was dug in the earth with a depth ranging from 3’ to as much as 8’+ deep. Now this is true in Mobile and New Orleans area but having dug some privies in the Northern portion of the United States (I have found the depth to be 18+’). For instance in Evansville, In. due to a city ordinance that was passed in 1869, the privies had to be a minimum of 25’ or 26’ and of stone or brick lined. In Cincinnati, Ohio , the privies are every bit as deep as those in Indiana. The only real way to know how deep a privy can be is just DIG TO THE BOTTOM OF IT and be very careful. When you think you have reached the bottom always, probe the area as there could be a 2’to 3’clay cap over the old stuff.

Now, we will discuss SAFETY. First off, it is always a big plus to dig with a partner or two.(the older you get-the more partners you need). Always be aware of your surroundings as it seems like today, the best places to dig are found in not so good neighborhoods. DO NOT TUNNEL(one cave-in could cost you a life). Best method of digging a privy is to find the 4 walls and deep straight down allowing room for you to move the dirt and yourself with a little comfort. This way you should not have bricks, rocks, concrete or other things falling on you. REMEMBER BEING SAFE AND ENJOYING THE HOBBY IS WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT.