You better follow da Rules…

Another aspect of growing up on the ol’ Prairie without indoor plumbing was the use of the Slop Pail , Slop Jar, or the Slop Bucket.

One of the last ones from the farm.. a survivor..

This pail, jar, or bucket was kept in the kitchen of the farm for night time emergencies. You wouldn’t have to make the long cold trek to the outdoor facility at night if you only had to go number #1. It would save you from cold wind, hail, or drifting snow to get to the outdoor toilet.

The outdoor facility was a long way from the House, especially at night.

The said pail, bucket, or jar came in all kinds of forms. There were nice tin enameled pails with matching lids for this purpose or it might just be an old bucket that didn’t leak for the job. We had both over the years. During the daytime when my Dad was in the house he spit Copenhagen into it too. Wow dual purpose..

Now for the rules of said bucket. You could spit Copenhagen in it, you could go # 1  into it at night or use it in emergencies like puking if you couldn’t get outside quick enough. Whoever used the bucket, jar or pail had to empty it. Now the final rule was a red letter rule to say the least.. You could not under any circumstances go #2 in the bucket. If there ever was a breakage of this cardinal rule you better have a Damn good reason. Heaven help the culprit if he or she didn’t have a reason like he/she was dying or very, very sick.

Don’t think I want to use this anymore…

Just so you know the rules, if you are ever faced without plumbing out on the ol’ Prairie.. You know just a word to the Wise..

Looks rather lonesome, not the busy place it once was…