CIVIL WAR ERA STRONG BOX REVEAL!!!

[KONO]

Ok, let me start by saying it was disparaging to see the number of rude comments: some claiming that our dig was a sham, some even going as far as claiming we planted the chest in the ground, and that our "cheap" detector could have never found that chest... that is not portraying a great hobby in a proper manner.

Well we are about to bury those ignorant thoughts, and show you the dig up close and personal.



Here is the video:




Here is the lid of the Chest... An attempt to remove the wood was made, though all that remained was Oak "mulch" mixed with clay.
Several Square nails were removed from the 'wooded' areas of the chest, in there original place. As well as, a D Ring that tied down the chest during transport. Another large Iron piece of the chest, possibly a handle, was recovered. The chest was unlocked though the face of a lock plate is present under the lip, no lock was recovered. The Chest lid is made of Cast Iron and is approximately 80 Pounds, and is exactly 24 inch X 24 inch. A lip is present on the lid to seal it flush against the former wood work.




Post Cleaning...




In the end, We found a buried Civil War era Strong Box... the story alone is worth a million...


Well, Iv'e got a Plane to Catch!



Here is the Official Plantation Dig Thread: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/relic-hunting/366228-official-louisiana-plantation-dig.html

 

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[Daryn]

Can't wait to hear the story of what was in the "Geneva" package. There wasn't any 2 dollar bills in that package by any chance was there? Just kidding, this was just too easy to pass up. Can't wait to see the box back together and refinished.

 

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[Bayou Joe]

Great story and thanks for the video of the reveal. The best part about metal detecting is trying to imagine the history of the find, sure the box has lots to tell. I myself would dig around that area just to be sure. Good luck on your next adventure!!!

What part of La. you in? I am always over in the Pearl River area visiting.

 

[creskol]

Do you .. or does anybody here .. have any, or know of any photographs that show what this "strong box" might have looked like originally?
What is it that leads you to the conclusion that it is in fact a strong box?
Still waiting for HutSitgeDigger to post the ones he found so we can compare them.

 

[Dreadnox]

Dont sweat it Kono, I was rudley meet on another sight for my very first find and posted pics too, just keep on MDing and let those people role over and sulk! That was a fantastic find and an inspiration to us all. There will always be rude jelious people you just gotta consider the source and move on. Thanks very much for the vid pics and story I for one completely enjoyed you sharing it with us. Oh and congrates on the chunk of iron, LOL JK, maybe the next one will be full!?! Best wishes from Austin Texas.

 

[KONO]

Do you .. or does anybody here .. have any, or know of any photographs that show what this "strong box" might have looked like originally?
What is it that leads you to the conclusion that it is in fact a strong box?

I am still looking for pictures of a similar box.

A strongbox by definition is:
"A stoutly made box or safe in which valuables are deposited."
"A strongly made, lockable box or chest for safeguarding valuables or money."

Too me any box with an 80 pound Iron lid, and 3 inch thick oak sides is a very "strong" box. There is a piece of iron on one of the lip sides that looks like the locking plate (the flat surface on which the lock and latch would be placed.) This strong box is not top locking with an intricate mechanism like some of the Spanish Armada Chest. Though the chest was strong enough to take some serious abuse.

 

[creskol]

I am still looking for pictures of a similar box.

A strongbox by definition is:
"A stoutly made box or safe in which valuables are deposited."
"A strongly made, lockable box or chest for safeguarding valuables or money."

To many any box with an 80 pound Iron lid, and 3 inch thick oak sides is a very "strong" box. There is a piece of iron on one of the lip sides that looks like the locking plate (the flat surface on which the lock and latch would be placed.) This strong box is not top locking with an intricate mechanism like some of the Spanish Armada Chest. Though the chest was strong enough to take some serious abuse.

Why would they go to the trouble of putting such a heavy iron lid on an oak box? That doesn't make it any more secure than making a box totally out of wood.

 

[KONO]

Why would they go to the trouble of putting such a heavy iron lid on an oak box? That doesn't make it any more secure than making a box totally out of wood.

Hey, I just found the box I did not build it, there could have been iron bars reinforcing the wood though we have not found any, and we probably would have found them by now. But, 3 inch wood is pretty thick... (update: might be 2.5 inch I'll have to get a precise measurement.)

The box could have been locally made, custom made, or retro-fitted.

The iron is rusted as to were no marks are visible, I even chiseled away most of the rust.

If any one knows of a similar box let me know.

 

[creskol]

Hey, I just found the box I did not build it, there could have been iron bars pieces reinforcing the wood though we have not found any.

I realize you didn't build it, Kono, but something must have led you to the conclusion that it is a safe of sorts to store valuables in as opposed to a door from a coal chute or piece of farm equipment, a root box, or a _____?___ !
You got my curiosity up as to what it really is, so I am just trying to garner a better understanding .. not trying to diminish the find in any way.

 

[KONO]

creskol

I know, and I understand,
Always good to here some other thoughts, you provide good insight.

-We know it was a box because of the decayed wood we found still in place, with some square nails still in it. (I'll try and get all of them when we go back, so I can get some good group pics)
-The box was way to deep to have not been buried intentionally, it was also upright.
-The coloration of the river sand mixed with clay was different from the surrounding soil, indicating that the box was sealed from the sides and the top.
-We believe that the 2 corners off of the box were broken or ground off, we did not find them
-That area of the Plantation has not been used since before the turn of the century
-On an interesting note, A Clay Hand made marble was found atop the box

 

[KONO]

I just came up with an interesting theory, don't quote me on it but here me out...

What if a stoking door off of a coal shoot or a train was used as the lid of the chest? (Something solid to keep the elements out?)
Could it have been locally made or retro-fitted on site?

We are 100% sure it was a chest from the wood in place, the nails, the shape, the soil coloration, etc., etc.

Any thoughts or ideas?

 

[Daryn]

Pic of door does look like part of an old stove that I saw at an antique store once.

 

[KONO]

I will take some precise measurements next time I see it.

I'll try and weigh it, use calipers to see the thickness, and get the full dimensions.

 

[NOLA_Ken]

Hey KONO, if you ever want a hand hunting that spot I'm n New Orleans and I'd love to hunt somewhere outside the city......

 

[bay pirate]

After Hurricanes Katrina and Issac in the past 8 years, the place looks like an alien landscape... you can't even begin to imagine the marsh grass covering whole areas of forest, the dead and fallen trees, dead animals washed up in trees after hurricanes, and that's only part of it...it is pretty nasty, I always joke that products should do durability/torture test there.

Hey, I was out digging in the dirt (circa 1718),,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,fast forward to 2013 and I was still digging and I found it finally but dang the luck, it started raining! Shoot dang

 

[KONO]

Hey KONO, if you ever want a hand hunting that spot I'm n New Orleans and I'd love to hunt somewhere outside the city......

Thanks for the offer, if the owner ever wants more detectors, I'll keep you in mind.

You would probably be interested in this: http://www.treasurenet.com/forums/relic-hunting/366228-official-louisiana-plantation-dig.html

 

[BryanM362]

Is it possible it was used as a cooler? I have heard of people doing that, taking advantage of the coolness of the earth. Would be an awful heavy lid for that though, but maybe it was heavy to keep animals out?

 

[KONO]

BryanM362

Believe me, it is no old time cooler.
No cooler has a locking plate on it...
Besides, a cooler (if they had one) would be near the Plantation Home; not the slave hut area.

 

[creskol]

BryanM362

Believe me, it is no old time cooler.
No cooler has a locking plate on it...
Besides, a cooler (if they had one) would be near the Plantation Home; not the slave hut area.

I actually agree with the "cooler" theory .. as in a root box .. a potato bin .. or something of that nature. Just because the lid has what appears to be "a piece of iron on one of the lip sides that looks like the locking plate" by your own admission, [(the flat surface on which the lock and latch would have been placed)] doesn't necessarily mean that there was one, nor did it have to function in this application if there was one. You yourself said, "this strong box is not top locking with an intricate mechanism" I think your idea of a retro fit ..with the iron door (or lid in this case) to keep digging critters out is probably the most plausible theory.

 

[Davers]

Sorry the box was empty after all the hard work but in this hobby ,one just never knows.

 

[KONO]

I actually agree with the "cooler" theory .. as in a root box .. a potato bin .. or something of that nature. Just because the lid has what appears to be "a piece of iron on one of the lip sides that looks like the locking plate" by your own admission, [(the flat surface on which the lock and latch would have been placed)] doesn't necessarily mean that there was one, nor did it have to function in this application if there was one. You yourself said, "this strong box is not top locking with an intricate mechanism" I think your idea of a retro fit ..with the iron door (or lid in this case) to keep digging critters out is probably the most plausible theory.

-Why would a "cooler" be placed near the slave huts, far away from the Plantation Home?
-Do you have any links or historical evidence, of such a device being used in Louisiana? And when would such a device have been used?
-There were no "critters" roaming around in the Plantation fields in the 19th century, there was no overgrowth, and all livestock was kept hundreds of yards away. The whole place has always been fenced in.
-Why would a cooler buried in the ground have wood sides?
-Why would a root box have an iron lid? Was such a device used in the Mid 19th century?
-I will also note two large D rings have been found so far, the box was probably able to be tied down for transport.

-We may need to have this lid and box remnants examined by an expert...