Earlier this year I authored an article about the big dig in Richmond, Virginia, which yielded a large number of CD 701.6 Confederate eggs, some in heretofore unknown colors. This article appeared in the May, 1990 issue of Crown Jewels.

In early February of 1991, Evelyn and I were on a premature trip home from Florida because of our son's impending surgery. As I was scooting through Richmond, I looked down from 1-95 and saw the dig site and felt drawn to it like a magnet, but alas, duty called and we continued north. The following morning we were in Fredericksburg and learned that we had an extra day or so. I couldn't resist backtracking to Richmond. With camera ready and well aware of the pitfalls of going beyond the fences and signs with stern warnings now surrounding the dig site I ventured forth. Beyond the barriers was a battalion of construction workers and enough backhoes, power shovels and dozers to stock a Corps of Engineers motorpooI. Huge dirt piles were everywhere (NOT generated by insulator diggers) and large power poles had been installed. It was apparent to me that as an insulator digging site, the area was pretty well finished. Change was not everywhere. The trains still rumbled overhead and the outdoor residents still held their permanent gathering under the trestle next to a fire in a 55 gallon drum that may be the most permanent thing there.

Reports have abounded of some covert insulator digging by some of the local collectors during the summer, but it seems apparent that January through March 1990 yielded the richest booty. Regardless of how these fantastic pieces found their way into collectors' hands, we should be thankful that they did and that many collectors of many things now have a piece of American history to cherish. Those that have these pieces should be thankful that they were not relegated to silent oblivion below some future asphalt or concrete.

(Editor's Note: Last month this article ran with no title or author -- let's try again!)