Abstract:
Calvin Graves of Caswell County was a farmer, lawyer and Speaker of the N.C. House and Senate. Lawrence calls him \"the man who showed a greater display of political courage than any other man in the history of the state.\" The event happened during the Assembly session of 1848-1849. There was a tie vote on a railroad issue important to the state. Though his party opposed it, Graves voted for it, thereby ending any political future he might have had.