New today / Cistern questions

[appliedlips]

Brian,

Glad to hear you haven't given up.I regret not being able to get down that way and don't think I will be able to anytime soon.I believe there is a forum member here named Rob Davis that is from down that way and I think digs privies.You could also get a hold of Eddie Brater of Eddie's Privy Page.He is a good guy and I am sure he would welcome a dig on an old lot in Cincy.Good luck,Doug

 

[PrivyCheese]

Wow, It sure is very nice to offer up a dig. Most everyone on this site seems to be respectful and on the up and up. If it was me....I always say....you have to dig it to find out. I suggest you let a experianced digger help you out. He will be able to help you with dateing materials comming out, safty issues etc. I think no matter what age of materials come out of the hole make a difference. Its something you coulld keep as a collection for future owners of the house. You never know whats in the bottom. I dug a great 1840's piece of stoneware out of an 1890's hole.

It would be great to actually have something in your hand that the prior occupant might have held over a hundred years a go. I say DIGGIT!!!!!!

 

[druggistnut]

a porcelain thing shaped like a mug without a handle that has a coil in the bottom and a hole for a cord? ideas?

Brian,
That sounds like a baby bottle heater. I think every one I have found has been pink, green, blue or yellow.
As far as the two pipes- could they be old clothes line poles? I'd check to see if they are set in cement. Maybe someone just broke them off where they rusted.
Bill

 

[WindyCityBrian]

Thanks guys!

and yes it's a baby bottle warmer -

I will be down in cincy tomorrow and if it's not too hot I dig around a bit and this time I'm taking the camera.

have a great weekend - I really DIG the beendiggin before work thread and the 5 dollar gold piece in the iother thread is something I would never sell!!!! wow.

 

[WindyCityBrian]

and no the pipes are not broken and go about two feet up with a small tree between them but we are no longer interested in them and as you can see have gone into the cistern slowly but making some progress - very wet - found a few marbles buttons many many bottles but later - a medicine dropper - an amber lid for a canning jar - a stopper or two and a few other knick knacks - - and we have not yet cleared all of the construction debris - I hope to have some more done this weekend - if there's anybody in the area who wants to help or stop by and offer an opinion or two ping me - I still think there's a privy back there somewhere - and some nice coins in the dirt - the cistern is for certain untouched. (I cleared out some large roots to get in there)