Greasing the Ohio Match Company's log chute.

A logger greasing the chute for the Ohio Match Company in the Coeur d’Alene National Forest. Unlike flumes that used the force of water to move logs, the chutes used gravity and friction. At times the chute was greased with crude oil, tallow and axle grease mixed with kerosene to increase movement. To slow down logs, sand was placed in the chute. Courtesy of the Museum of North Idaho.