I'm kinda' out in the weeds here but thought someone might have an idea.  We recently purchased a 6000 sf house in Indianapolis that was built in 1913.  I'm curious to know what might have been used to dig the full basement that's under the house.  I know that clam shell steam shovels were around, but does anyone have an idea if they were routinely used or would the basement likely have been hand dug...or perhaps horses and a slip scoop?  Any thoughts?