Lathe

Wooden lathe with large rectangular top supported by four legs

It is stablized by two wooden boards running the length of the lathe. Matal parts include: rims, chains, bars, and rods. Both sides are painted with “Johnston Ford Yukon of Canada” in silver.

Handmade treadle-operated wood lathe constructed of wood and metal parts. Two spoked 'Ford' wheel rims weighted with heavy chains, turn the lathe when the treadle is operated. This homemade lathe was owned by Freddy Johnston, the nephew of the famed entrepreneur and photographer George Johnston. It stood in Freddy's large garage and it was reportedly used for making posts for grave fences. Grave fences were traditionally put up around grave houses and are still used around funerary plots in the Yukon.

This lathe was used to turn the four corner posts for the grave of famed Anglican Bishop Bompas. Bishop Bompas dedicated forty-three years to the Mackenzie and Yukon Dioceses. He returned only once to England to marry, and quickly returned to his post. He was famous for his missionary services, his simple lifestyle and his penchant for native language. He died on June 9, 1906 and is buried in Carcross. His plot is fenced in with four fine fence posts marking his grave.