1901 Map Found in an Attic Leads to an Underground Chamber Full of Valuables Under a Vacant Lot

Excavating a 3rd privy from the WWI era at the former site of the Commercial Hotel in McHenry, North Dakota.
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#antiques #mudlarking #archeology #bottledigging #antiquebottles #bottles #dumpdigging #privydigging #southdakota #treasurehunting #oldbottles #metaldetecting #ghosttown #northdakota #vintage #vintagebottles #abandoned #old #stagecoach #adventure #mudlarker #mudlark #wildwestgold #wildwest #buried #buriedtreasure

[@BelowthePlains]

Hey everyone! just wanna say thanks for watching. and liking and commenting! that really helps us out, and i wanna give a shoutout to all my patrons, thank you guys so much! we are gonna be posting early content over there periodically, we will probably upload a few videos in short bursts and then have short breaks of no uploads, we try to squeeze the editing of the videos in between filming, but if you check periodically there should new videos uploaded over there regularly. thanks!

[@imemployed1524]

Love the content, and the hard work you put in digging out a literal ton of dirt each hole, just gonna call you Machine from now on

[@danreed7889]

Hope to see you all in MN soon!

[@sherimiller5857]

Woah two pits right next to each other,awesome

[@sherimiller5857]

I get so excited when I watch your videos

[@smelltheglove2038]

Reminds me of updog.

[@gregsmith9480]

I would like to watch a video of you probing and how you determine where to dig.

[@garbagearchive]

18:55 THANK GOD this bottle didn’t blow up in Tom’s face!

[@jakecariveau4058]

Thanks for watching everyone!

[@dannybell926]

Thanks for sharing

[@daveschofield9448]

Im hooked lol was out few days ago i found some cool bottles. But learning lots from watcing you thanks!!

[@apryljohnson553]

What do you do with your finds?

[@julie4636]

That old-fashioned window glass might be usable by stained glass window artists. The bubbles, irregularities, and colors would be amazing. Not like your store bought glass today. Don’t just chuck it away! Love your videos, thanks for your hard work bringing them to us. A fan in Washington state.

[@Hamingja6266]

OMG, made my day to see a new episode! You're the best! Madey depression lift seeing that! Thank you so much! You're a lifesaver!

[@beardedmisanthrope9274]

Look forward to these every week, thank you.

[@marykaystreasures]

The pit just kept on giving you awesome bottles ❤️👍♥️ Thanks for sharing 👍🇺🇸🤭

[@loripretti843]

I'm just curious what do you do with everything you find? Do you sell it? I hope you keep some of it!!! I've always wondered!!! God Bless!!!

[@rebeccavogel4122]

That spoon with the twisting is actually a “soda spoon or sundae spoon”. I have a few of those from my grandma & that’s what she told me they used.. it fits the right time period with your dig.

[@jorahmormont1154]

another great video from BTP thanks for taking us along for the ride

[@zappa3543]

Thanks for all your hard work your show is truly enjoyable

[@pedrovision6987]

Dude, you have the best videos...your peaceful spirit is well suited to this kind of archeological revealaton...I love these videos...KEEP UP THE EXCELLENT WORK!! Greetings from Finland!!

[@joejoebus8814]

I have come to a conclusion that you are a professional digger. I had a friend that was a plumber and he use to dig a lot of holes to expose pipes. His boss was very cheep and wouldn't rent a backhoe to save a little money and have my friend dig the holes just as you do. Watching your videos reminds me of his stories he would tell. He has passed away years ago from work related injuries. Thx for the video.

[@jamesonheche2899]

this hotel really produced for you guys! glad to see that.

[@robbybobby6466]

I just realized that Sheyenne bottling works was not spelled Cheyenne. Nice dry pit this time. Weather is really getting Nice lately. Your kicking Ass Tom. I look forward to and enjoy every video brother! 😎👍

[@jimjustice581]

I kept thinking two words: Cave In! You need to make a rule that if you can reach in and touch the back of your dig with your shoulder still out of the overhang, you should stop digging further in. That way, your viewers don’t have to worry about you. Love your treasure hunts. Thanks for sharing.

[@mrsseasea]

The wealth of information I learn from this guy….it’s so interesting!

[@andrewchase7684]

I always watch your videos right when they come out. I dont know why, but I find this whole thing so thrilling to watch. id like to try doing this someday but, lets be honest, its never gonna happen.

[@noel-marie2331]

I was just saying the same thing in my head .. but pretty sure it isn't possible in my state. I live in Arizona

[@susanaskjem9623]

Hi Tom! You always have such a great show, I used to collect bottles when I was younger, cuz my grandmother used to fill old bottles with different colored water and put them on the windows!

[@terrancemiller8350]

I was excited, for you Tom for finding and for Jake for filming, it was a pleasure to watch you explore the trench and your findings. Be safe and have a grand day, thanks for the video. Love you much. Afriend.

[@ShirleySwedberg-tt2cc]

Follow your dreams Tom. It all started when you were a little boy. So proud of you. ❤

[@tarrasams7423]

Hello 👋 from New York you Found Some Amazing Finds my Favorite Definitely Was the Big Jug Thank you for Bringing me Along with you I can't wait to see What you Find Next 😊

[@johnsnow6586]

Awesome

[@oleradiodudea.m.4735]

Have you ever found a bottle sealed and unopened with original contents still inside preserved?

[@shewho333]

He’s got a KZbin “short” about just that. It’s something else!

[@gloriapaige7877]

Can you give more detail on how to find that "short?" I have looked & can't find it.

[@beverlyhanlon8376]

Thanks again. Will keep watching.

[@BelowthePlains]

thank you! glad you found us

[@crossgrainwoodproductsltd9230]

Some cool finds! I love the "California Fig Syrup bottles". I keep the steel, and metal parts from digs. Especially the brass, bronze, and copper items. If they are not too caked in rust, I soak them in a 25-gallon container of "Evapo Rus" and then go about really cleaning them up. I have used drawer pulls, door knobs, skeleton keys, and copper wire that I have found on wood items I make in my shop. I make spice cabinets and have used the handles, and drawer hardware on them. I even found a very ornate brass door knob on a large custom-made pantry-style cabinet for a customer. She had not picked out a door knob and told me to "surprise" her. Well, she loved it. She couldn't believe the door knob had been in the ground for 125 years and that I dug it up. It came out beautifully after restoration. I can't imagine why someone would have thrown it out because these were not cheap back then. Still are not, lol. Hey, if you are ever in New England, my hometown is Guilford CT. 06437, and it was founded in 1647. Also, the town next to it, is Madison, CT06443, and that was founded around the same time. I have found items from the 17th and 18th centuries that came from England, Germany, and France that are in my collection. Some I have given to my nephews so they can enjoy them now and not wait until I die. LOL!!

[@chintasrvvegankitchen7761]

Wow, you discover the coolest bottles!!! It's always great when a plate comes out whole too! Thank you!

[@philipcallicoat3147]

The hard work you're putting in isn't all the digging around on a hope... You have been researching and checking old maps, etc etc... Good job fellas...🕊️👍 PS... Glad you're wearing the gloves 🙏😂

[@patablanche5075]

Thanks for sharing your work and interesting finds

[@twindiggersminnesotapamandpat]

Tom and Jake another spectacular dig. That privy was a big one and so many bottles. I enjoyed seeing so many Minnesota embossed bottles. 👏👍😀

[@lisacassells3828]

Wow that's a lot of work. Boy do I wish I would of saved glass jars from childhood. Great job your doing. Thanks for taking us with you.

[@michaelschuenemann3505]

Looks like a Long Pit to dig ! Love the Twisted old Spoon - wow ! Great old Bottles as well ! And the Pit kept on Giving and Giving ! Embossed Bottles is Every Ones Aim and You found some Good Ones - it is a Total Pleasure watching Your Digs and as they say = You never know what You may Find - Good Haul Today - Congrats from Australia !!!!

[@samsager1]

Great digs! Can't wait to get together this spring!

[@SnowPink90]

Love the cobalt bottle and I remember the little ridged bottles from my granny’s place. It’s incredible what you find down there!! Enjoyed the dig, thanks!!😍😍

[@IH8stpdppl]

Amazing finds

[@BelowthePlains]

Thanks for watching

[@davevollbrecht9489]

I'm from Shakopee went to school with the Ries's used to look in the windows and watch them at the bottling company

[@clidemorrow8786]

Good job guys

[@terrencebuller7676]

Great program, really did well with this pit. Cool finds, thanks for sharing. Take care and stay safe. 👍

[@dawnhaynes7784]

Enjoyed the dig as always thanks

[@letdanielletellyou]

Love watching. I get excited for what your gonna find. I find it so interesting that the people that have used these items have far passed.

[@BelowthePlains]

i know right, i try to image what the day to day life of one of these people was like.. i wonder about what they do or whats normal to them, that i have no idea about. glad you like, and thanks for watching and leaving us MULTIPLE comments. we appreciate that

[@letdanielletellyou]

@@BelowthePlains Thank you so much for replying back. Oh my gosh I think, what at that very moment were they doing or thinking when they dropped that piece into the out house. I say well we’re they drinking and thought I’m gotta go might as well take this with me to toss it. Lol.

[@karellarsen939]

Not sure you have ever stated. What do you guys do with the things you find? Love your show! Central Valley California

[@whiskeycitydiggers]

That embossed Upjohn bottle was really cool, never seen it. Nice finds, guys.

[@smelltheglove2038]

Maybe they’ll find some UpDog.

[@gloriamanning6787]

Pretty cool to find all that stuff from the past. Keep up the good work ❤

[@mygrammieis]

Cool finds 💯🔍🔦

[@nickt7658]

You Rock bro! Absolutely killing it!.

[@caroltanzi29]

This is amazing to me. The first time I’ve ever seen your video. Carol from California

[@BelowthePlains]

hi Carol from CA. im glad you think so. glad you found the channel. thanks for watching and leaving us a comment

[@wayneweidman1543]

Your videos are so well made! I feel like I’m in the privy hole with you.

[@carolynsimone8647]

So enjoy your videos...🥰

[@chrisfor]

Great dig again. Patiently waiting for a Q and A style video. If you want someone to ask the questions, I'd be happy to set up an interview or tag along and ask in real time. Keep the quality content coming!

[@BelowthePlains]

if you wanna ask tom you can add us on facebook. its just "below the plains" on facebook. you can dm him and see what he says, thanks for watching

[@jeanpowell7072]

Glad you had a new up uploaded

[@JonathenSilvervale]

another great video

[@CrystalSmith-qp2sj]

What do you do with all your bottles once you dig them out and this mite b a stupid question but if you kept digging would you find more bottles back in the 17 and 1800s? If seeds you find are intact see if they can grow

[@MACD69]

Do you ever metal detect or screen the dirt you dig out? I feel like there could be some silver coins to be found

[@WalkingTheCats]

I've had similar thoughts. Saw where another group found a huge mass of coins in one of their digs.

[@bcsadman]

I’ve watched a lot of your videos (subscribed). Just wondering, what do you do with all the bottles/stuff you find?

[@connieholley1124]

Great dig and wow, so many good finds in the pit. Always looking to your next dig. Thanks!

[@kendalchen]

Hello! German major and translator here. I just found your channel this morning and I love this kind of thing. I once did an "Internship lite" in a German museum, checking inventory of small Roman artifacts, and the little glass bottles especially remind me of that work. I have a somewhat-wordy comment about the Hoff's (German) Liniment bottle that I noticed in this and I think at least one other video. I suspect that this brand was very popular in the upper plains and Midwestern states. My own grandfather was born just before the United States got involved in World War 1 and his very German name was Anglicized due to anti-German sentiment. Bearing this in mind, I got curious if the name change for Hoff's Formerly German Liniment may have begun right around then. I did a cursory search of old digitized newspapers, then searched at the National Museum of History at the Smithsonian and it looks like Hoff's Liniment (minus the word 'German') started being manufactured in 1917. Oddly, I could still find ads for Hoff's German Liniment in digitized newspapers through the 1930's as well, so I'm not sure why that is. I am very interested in this topic because often, renamings from German- to more Anglo-sounding names were sometimes such a big deal that they would be printed in newspapers; nowadays we would call them "performative." I believe that Woodrow Wilson had said unflattering things about "hyphenated Americans" and there was real social pressure to prove loyalty and patriotism, and so families, businesses, and streets were renamed forever, or at least a few decades. Please bear with me if this info is already known.

[@alisonmary1443]

I have seen some gorgeous garden pieces made with broken plates and cups, not mosaics but plant holders/display. Thank you for brining us along with your digs.

[@c.t.murray3632]

You work really hard at getting those bottles out. As an artist and appreciator of your hard work, I can only suggest someone might take interest in framing these bottles especially the drugstore bottles. let's say four at a time ,clean them really well, frame them in a 8x10 inch or 8x 14 inch frames and sell them to restaurants or drugstores. They can hang them in the window or sell them themselves.

[@soupystevesguitarartsextra3697]

Would love to see an episode where you show your cleaned up finds. How much are these bottles etc worth?

[@soonzach4017]

Great channel, thank you for sharing.

[@ozfromkansas8939]

nice finds

[@RobbBoswell]

So cool 🤘🏼 🇺🇲

[@jerrysadventures8952]

Great Content thanks

[@warrenmink2429]

Awesome, a lot of history there , amazing how big that pit was , wonder was that dug at one time or a little at a time . Thanks for sharing with us .

[@Bonzi_Buddy]

I know a guy who just died privy digging. He pulled out a bottle of mercury and he yanked it too hard out of the soil and mercury flew into his eyes and face.

[@BelowthePlains]

whaaaaat? are you serious?? thats crazy. sorry for your loss tho.. yeah we try to take care when doing this. we have found mercury about a dozen times, and its always sketchy.. i collect the poison bottles, and after we pull them out, i clean them immediately and wash my hands.. not gonna lie, that scares me.. more so im worried about getting my pets sick, but i keep those ones on my highest shelf.. im sorry to hear that about that guy you knew. thats awful.

[@jomama5186]

Very cool !

[@michaelwood1202]

Thank you that was fun

[@GoldenCheetahMetalDetecting]

Great videos !

[@BelowthePlains]

Glad you like them! thanks for watching

[@bethbleas8378]

19:21 flow blue ...pattern brush strokes/spinach leaf brushsrokes ~ 1840/50 beautiful!

[@johaines2214]

thank you.

[@Randeb86]

So I take it you guys are midwesterners from looking at your videos, I love them by the way, great finds!❤

[@treasurehuntingscotlandmud9340]

some nice finds well done 😊

[@BelowthePlains]

Thanks 👍

[@waldo3023]

Some viruses can lay dormant for years like Anthrax are there any dangers in digging these places ?

[@susiewagner1534]

Awesome…😊

[@leahworks4242]

Wonderful to watch Let’s see how the treasure cleans up!!?

[@BestSellers2122]

Nice!

[@BelowthePlains]

Thanks!

[@enaidyeltneb369]

I have really been enjoying your channel. Amazing how varied KZbin is. I do have a request, would it be possible to make a video for us newbies that explains the job specific terminology. I have seen channels that repeat the same explanations every time and that is annoying! An example would be what is a use layer? How do you prep sites? How do you find the sites? Having this knowledge would increase the understanding and thus viewing pleasure. Thanks for letting us learn about the world of archaeology with you!

[@jennifermacdougall1513]

How can you tell the difference between the contents of the product and ground water as well as the types of bottles?

[@dshollins5864]

Hard work for you. Good job.

[@user-tl2pg5xu1z]

Ребята, стекло это конечно здорово, почему вы не прозваниваете отвалы металлоискателем? Уверен что там выскочило бы много интересного.

[@demsakawalkinglatetermabor7ion]

12:04 Gasoline for the horseless carriage or motors for powering homestead tools like windmill, woodcutters, were sold from the drug store in large glass containers. Obviously oils and lubricants would be similarly handled. I have seen turn of the century pharmacy labels saying “Gasoline, one gallon”.

[@ellyntallon2255]

In all your explorations what would be like the "holy grail" pieces you would love to find?

[@BelowthePlains]

There's this soda.. you know how crown tops came after the hutchinson soda?.. well this bottle was a style before the hutch, called a "blob soda" we have 2 "youtube shorts" and in one of the video we found 2 of these bottles.. both of which are amazing, high value bottles.. they were from yankton dakota territory. super rare, but the colors were standard for sodas.. well they made those same bottles in cobalt blue.. just like how the bromo seltzers look,.. i ripped yankton apart looking for one of those.. i only ever found a small piece of one.. i still have it.. there are only 3 of those bottles known and all of them are damaged, only one of them is mostly whole.. one has the top knocked off.. and it was just 1 guy who found them while walking along the river in yankton. i was beginning to think they were fakes made by someone trying to scam a bottle collector, but then i found a piece of one. im still looking for that bottle, and i do believe there are more out there, but at this point i kinda doubt im gonna find it. thanks for watching!

[@williamfoster7165]

not bad finds, at least you got a soda right at the top.

[@dannmccord1923]

Boy Tom that was a large pit. And really loaded. Lots of nice bottles. Really enjoy your videos. Always waiting for the next one. I bet your glad when you get a hot shower at the end of the day.

[@lovesmashbox]

This is the first time I've watched your videos. I have also subscribed. What do you do with all the bottles you find ? I find history fascinating.

[@BelowthePlains]

hi! thanks for subbing! i really appreciate that. The majority of the stuff goes to historic societies, (sometimes museums but they only take the really good stuff) or to the homeowner.. theres usually a local "history enthusiast" who collects old documents and local "treasures" or sometimes they put it in like the town hall or library or community center.. we keep some of it, we re-bury it a lot of the time.. it kinda all just depends on the circumstances but basically we give it to who ever wants it (as long as we think that person isnt gonna just throw it away in a few weeks or something). 

Hope that answered your question, Thanks for watching and leaving a comment!!!

[@marcelmallory2761]

Night soil! Lol, never heard that term before....

[@weedfreer]

Silver spoon looked like some sort of cocktail mixing spoon. The spiraled shaft aids with the mixing of the fluids

[@danielschnorrvonsonnienfel9057]

We did this to our tree spade blades years ago It’s a synwave pressure cutting edge advantage

[@leonguyot4991]

I enjoy watching your digs of discovery, very interesting, the piece of broken China you found with the Lion and Unicorn on is probably of British origin. Keep up the good work

[@BelowthePlains]

yeah some of those emblems are super cool. i assume all the coolest ones are british. and thanks!

[@iliketowatch.]

What do you do with the bottles and other things you find?

[@MoggiesTen]

Never saw a chamber, but did see a privy hole.

[@jasontyrrell694]

Hey Tom is it possible that all the broken windows you find be from possibly storm damage? Just a thought Any how really enjoy your content 🙂

[@nicoled5488]

What do you do with all of the bottles etc you find?

[@weedfreer]

Night dirt...huh. They used to call it night filth over here in the UK. 😅

[@BelowthePlains]

lol.. they called it night soil because the guys who would clean out the privies would supposedly do it at night because it was considered indecent to confront society with its own waste.. i think they call it that in the uk too! lol. thanks for watching!

[@weedfreer]

@@BelowthePlains I was more of the understanding that they would 'do the rounds' with a horse and cart in the morning upon which they would collect the contents of the chamber pots from the night before...which, in medieval Britain (and, indeed, all the way back to Roman times) would typically have been thrown out the window and into the streets. In fact, in ancient Rome, there are even records of compensation fees paid to the unfortunate folk walking below who were oftentimes injured by the falling debris or the accidentally let go containers. Lovely stuff is history isn't it!?

[@JSB1882]

Man! I gotta get me one of those two prong forks!

[@smelltheglove2038]

Goes great with updog.

[@darrylwillett8359]

A long twisted tea/cocktail spoon.

[@BelowthePlains]

thanks for letting us know! and thanks for watching

[@chadhughes3741]

Wondered if you guys noticed that coin in a old video about 6 months ago? Right after you found a fountain pen. About 3 more scratches with your stick after you found the fountain pen. Looked like a half dollar.

[@letdanielletellyou]

Good question. Have you ever found a sealed bottle contents still in it.

[@BelowthePlains]

kzbin.info3f8MTdPFceg this is the one time... and it didnt go well lol.. thanks for watching

[@letdanielletellyou]

@@BelowthePlains so excited to watch thank you.

[@letdanielletellyou]

Wow just wow. Hope you were ok. I jumped scared me can’t imagine how you felt.

[@praeliora]

You should try and team up with 'Si Finds' for a UK dig, there are so many much older items to discover