Denise, a great little source here in Minnesota is:
 
1916(?) The Sanitary Privy: Its Need and Methods of Construction.
 Minnesota State Board of Health, St. Paul
 
It has great descriptions and drawings for construction and use of rural   privies.
 
Hope this helps!
 
Holly P. Halverson
Archaeologist
BRW, Inc.
Minneapolis, MN
[log in to unmask]
(612) 373-6508
 
 -----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, November 16, 1998 2:00 PM
To: HISTARCH
Subject: Help!
 
To Whomever Can Help,
     I need to know how to find info. on construction and maintenance of   19th
c. privies. Any info. would help, especially anything I can get online.   Thank-
you!
 
Sincerely,
     Denise E-mail: [log in to unmask]