Tool exhibit dedicated to honor Free
<p>The Tom Free Memorial Tool Exhibit was dedicated during Rathdrum Days events at the historical Kootenai County Jail on Saturday. From left are Susan Hopper, president of the Rathdrum/Westwood Historical Society; George Holcomb, project coordinator; Lois Free, Free's widow; and Chip Corsi, Idaho Department of Fish and Game.</p>
RATHDRUM - Tom Free loved the outdoors and helping others in it.
The longtime Idaho Fish and Game hunter safety instructor and reserve officer was honored during Rathdrum Days last weekend when the Tom Free Memorial Tool Exhibit was dedicated at the historical Kootenai County Jail.
"He dedicated his life to serving others," said Rathdrum resident George Holcomb, project coordinator for the development of the exhibit.
The exhibit is on display in the cell room of the jail and features tools that could have been included in a covered wagon during settlers' migration to the West. Tools, which were contributed by Holcomb, range from knives to a cross-cut saw.
The exhibit will expand as more period-appropriate tools are contributed for the display.
Free, who lived in Rathdrum, died unexpectedly of natural causes last year at 73 while working on his guns at a hunting camp in Wyoming.
He lived a colorful life as a blacksmith, welder, hunter, mule packer, conservationist, heavy equipment operator, historian, woodworker and craftsman. He fabricated the framework for the grindstone that is on display in the tool collection.
Those at the ceremony included Free's widow Lois, Rathdrum/Westwood Historical Society President Susan Hopper, Holcomb and Idaho Fish and Game's Chip Corsi.
"Tom could always be depended on to set up his portable forge and anvil and demonstrate his blacksmithing skills whenever he was asked," Holcomb said.