Bottle Hunting Question

[hollywood14u]

How does one know where to find the old Privy's? lol

also where would you find info on them such as maps?

'Cause next week I'm heading back out to the Wickenburg/ Yavapai Arizona area to pick up on this Hunting Excursion for "Javelina"

The place where we Camp in located on a very old Miners camp property... There are No signs of where the house/cottage may have been But I have seen what looks to appear as a well that has been filled in with dirt.

there are remnants of there rock fence bordering certain area's and it sure would be nice to find some items.....

I didn't get a chance to last time I was there a few weeks ago cause I forgot my MD if you can believe it....... I never in my wildest dreams thought I'd come across a place / area like this. Old Miners ghost town...

So again where would I begin to look "On-line" if possible cause I wont have the time to say Hit the Library or anything cause I'll be several mines in the Desert..

[hollywood14u]

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[swizzle]

Before you go accidentally falling into a well that you thought was a privy, remember to try a few things. First when going into a hole always use the buddy system. Use a probe to check the dirt in the hole to see if you hit any glass. If you don't know of a place to get a probe then go to antique-bottles.net and do a members search for a guy with the user name jaken. He makes probes and the look very well made. Just check out his homepage. He makes them up to 4 feet in length and I believe with shipping it should be only $45. If you don't have time to wait for the probe to arrive then go to a sporting goods store and get an aluminum shaft arrow and a common field point. That should work in a pinch. Hope this helps and puts you into those bottles that are worth a few hundred bucks each. You never know. Those honey holes are out there you just gotta find them. Just think from an old crapper to a honey hole in just 100+ years. lol. good luck. Jason

[hollywood14u]

Thanks Swizzle

I wouldn't think about entering alone the "well" is pretty much filled with dirt at least up to the last 2 feet or soo....
I was a Utilities Pipelayer years back so I have a Few Probes.... and after so much digging Believe me I will be using it... Just never know How Deep it is or If there may be some kind of "Blockage" holding everything up...
I wouldn't want to hit the Bottom Hard if you know what I Mean.

[Jake]

Why is a privy a good place to look for bottles? How in the world do you find where they were.

[PAPPY]

JAKE, Take it from me that it is a wonderful place to look. Any old homestead usually had a privy anywhere from 75 feet to 100 feet away. Sometimes closer. Look for sunken places in the ground usually about 5 feet long by 3 feet wide. Back when people had outhouses...I still have one...They used to throw bottles, all types of items in the hole in the outhouse to get rid of them. When the outhouse was moved to another location the hole was then filled in with dirt. Great place for lost coins too that fell out of pockets. Anything in the old outhouse location has long truned to dirt so there is no real fear of diggin in that spot....PAPPY

[crozet86]

Hi gang,
Im a new member of the forum and want to say hi to all.I have been digging bottles for about 17 years here in va.I started digging privies about 3 years ago and it is much better than dump digging in my opinion.I begin by first looking for depressions in the homesites back yard.Like others have said about 75 to 100' behind the home.Of course there are exceptions to this as ive found privies that at one time were attached to the house itself.I have also found what i call the barrel privy which they would simply dig a whole near or close to back of house and bury a barrel for their privy use.I also use the sanborn maps and if i find no depressions with my eyes i do a grid pattern and probe every 2 to 3' until i can find the privy.I must admit i havent always found them when i know they had to be there. Try to always have a digging partner with you if you plan on excavating a privy.As im sure you all know it can be dangerous.Also, when searching old homesites please be careful of uncovered wells which may be overgrown with weeds and brush.I almost fell in one last summer and it really made me be more aware.In my experience with privys you will find older and more whole bottles,along with stoneware and other odd items.Sometimes i ask myself "i wonder how or why this is in here"...lol.But, to me that is the joy of treasure hunting.Hope this may help some of you and if i can help answer any questions feel free to ask.

Eddie

[PAPPY]

EDDIE, WELCOME to the Family here at TREASUREQUEST. GREAT to have you with us. Good Information and Advise...HAPPY HUNTING...PAPPY