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Michael Bushfield, Eureka, MT, is the winner!

A Potlatch Caterpiller 3T D7 is the answer for Clearwater History Trivia #629, a special feature to celebrate the history and heritage of Clearwater Country. Watch each day for another clue.

When you think you know the answer, drop us an email at: info@windowontheclearwater.com. Please, let us know where you are from, if it is out of the area.

Join in the discovery!

Monday: Makes things move

Tuesday: Very large

Wednesday: Drift wood inside

Thursday: From a ranch

Friday: Left out for years

Saturday: Used on the river

Monday: From the 1940s

Tuesday: Yellow

Wednesday: Red McCollister

A 3T D7 Caterpillar was recently donated to the Clearwater Historical Museum and is on display outside the building.

One of the museum board members, Tia Pomponio, shared information about its history. It originally belonged to Potlatch and was used both on land and in the river during log drives. He could verify it was used on the river because it had a piece of drift wood in its belly pan.

Red McCollister, former Potlatch log drive foreman, purchased it and another Caterpillar before he retired. He and relatives used them for logging operations on his ranch in the Canyon Creek area. Then it sat for 13 years. Sandy McCollister Goffinet, Red's daughter called and asked if they would like it for the museum.

Tia said it took nine days to get it running with updates. It has a blade that goes on the front and they have an old carriage to put on the back, but those are tasks for a time of year when it is not as hot as it has been this summer. He said there is a winch to run the Letourneau log loader on the back.

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Window on the Clearwater
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Orofino, ID 83544
Orofino 476 0733
Fax: 208-476-4140
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