How to dig a privy that is still standing?

[Kiros32]

Any ideas?

Thanks ahead of time.

 

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[eagle77]

"still standing"? Not still in use I hope

 

[Kiros32]

...not for many years my friend The outhouse is still standing over the hole.

 

[Charlie P. (NY)]

Slide it to one side, dig (ewwww), slide it back when done.

True family story. My great-grandmother was talking and my gr-grandfather asked here why she didn't have her teeth in. She said she'd lost them weeks ago.

"Weeks ago! Where?"

"In the privy"

"Well, you should have said something. I'll dig them out."

"That's why I didn't tell you."

 

[stefen]

Whatever you do, wash your hands before you bite your fingernails.

 

[TreasureTales]

As already suggested, move the structure. Or dig a diagonal shaft to get to the chamber.

 

[Cynangyl]

Slide it to one side, dig (ewwww), slide it back when done.

True family story. My great-grandmother was talking and my gr-grandfather asked here why she didn't have her teeth in. She said she'd lost them weeks ago.

"Weeks ago! Where?"

"In the privy"

"Well, you should have said something. I'll dig them out."

"That's why I didn't tell you."

lol I can actually imagine relatives having that same conversation!

 

[diggummup]

Find out if/where the privy was used prior to the location it is in now.Most privies only stayed in the same spot for 20 years or so.Then it would be moved to the new hole and the dirt from the new hole was used to fill the old hole up. If not, just push it over if you can't move it out of the way.

 

[TreasureTales]

GOOD - drop a brick down the privy hole..if it bounces-perpare to dig. BAD - drop a brick and if it plops and then sinks ..abandon plans. UGLY - drop a brick and if it splashs up ... run like hell. Good luck - those privy holes have provided some interesting finds.

ROFL - the best advice yet!!!

 

[piedmont]

Just last year a groundhog uncovered the location of a previous privy hole on my father's property. The privy that is still standing is roughly 30 yards away. We didnt find anything intact that the groundhog had uncovered although there were several heartbreaking pieces of damaged glassware.

 

[TreasureTales]

Just last year a groundhog uncovered the location of a previous privy hole on my father's property. The privy that is still standing is roughly 30 yards away. We didnt find anything intact that the groundhog had uncovered although there were several heartbreaking pieces of damaged glassware.

A groundhog doesn't use a shovel and a rake - but humans do. Get out there with the right equipment and dig that privy! Then use a sifting screen so you can find the coins, marbles, buttons, etc. NEVER rely on rodents for uncovering all the treasure in a privy hole!!!!

 

[piedmont]

TreasureTales, digging that privy hole is right there on my list of things to do. However, I am genetically predisposed to procrastination so my list is pretty long and actually I am still responsible for some things my grandfather procrastinated about. And dont even bring my Dad into this.

Couldnt agree more about the unreliability of rodents. Although, I have seen them bring human bones to the surface of old family cemetaries(honest to God)

 

[TreasureTales]

TreasureTales, digging that privy hole is right there on my list of things to do. However, I am genetically predisposed to procrastination so my list is pretty long and actually I am still responsible for some things my grandfather procrastinated about. And dont even bring my Dad into this.

Couldnt agree more about the unreliability of rodents. Although, I have seen them bring human bones to the surface of old family cemetaries(honest to God)

I know all too well about procrastination. I would have replied to your post earlier, but..... (LOL Sorry, a little procrastination humor.)

I'll take your word for the rodents and human bones. That's creepy.

It's a good idea to metal detect the mounds of dirt that gophers dump around their holes - they will occasionally dump a coin or small relic, and even arrowheads on occasion. Rodents do have their place in treasure hunting (packrats like shiny objects so looking at their nests can be interesting), but until/unless they are trained to use a shovel and a rake and a sifting screen - they really are just teasers.

 

[Rubicon]

Step 1 Tip it over.
Step 2 Enjoy (?)

 

[Cynangyl]

I can't help thinking you would have to be pretty comfortable with someone to share that seat!

 

[TreasureTales]

I can't help thinking you would have to be pretty comfortable with someone to share that seat!

Isn't that the truth. YUCK!! Bad enough you have to use a magazine for toilet paper, but then you also have to sit next to someone while wiping. NO THANKS! One part of the "good old days" that wasn't so good.

 

[diggummup]

You know they had 3 seaters too don't ya,it was a family affair!

 

[Cynangyl]

No.....I was NOT aware of the three seaters! Would have made my daughter Teresa happy though...when she was little she always made me stand outside the door and reach in and hold her hand so she would not fall in.....once she offered to hold my hand and I told her no, I was going to close the door and assured her I would not fall in....we were at a car race and I was NOT leaving the door unlatched.....anyway she found this very disturbing at first then started laughing and said "oh!! you will not fall in....your butt is too big!" She is 18 years old now and STILL laughs hysterically when anyone mentions an outhouse!

 

[Cynangyl]

hmmm guess you had to be there! lol

 

[diggummup]

hmmm guess you had to be there! lol