Daily Kennebec journal., 1906-03-23
CALVIN GRAVES
Has Valuable Invention,
Perfected in Prison.
Leaves for Washington TO Pro-
tect It by Patents.
Happy Since His Release from Prison and
Has Gained 20 Pounds.

During the 10 long and weary years
which Calvin Graves spent within the
prison walls at the State prison at Thorn
aston on life sentence, his mind was
much occupied. BuCycd by the hope OF
obtaining Il pardon which came to him
two weeks aSo last Sunday, he labored
and labored until after years of toll Ii"
perfected 4 mechanism which he hoped
to put on the market after his release
that would bring him money in the de-
clinng years of a life over which hung
a dark curtain never to be effaccd.
In brief, Calvin Graves is said to have
perfected. while within the prison walls.
an improvement in the shuttle arrange
ment of a sewing machine which will be
to the sewing machine as much of an
Improvement as the duplex system was
to telegraphy in increasing its efficiency.
Graves went through Bangor Monday
night on his way to Washington whera
he will take steps to have his invcntion
patented. He also has an improved
clothcspn arrangement ard one or two
other improvements which he will cndcav
or to have protected by patent rights.
During his long term at ThomaStCn
Graves was known us one of the best
workmcn and most industrious men ever
within the prison walls. Year after year
he worked and many good articles of in
tricatc workmanship have gone forth
from the institution as the result of his
handiwOrk. His invention, the improve
ment of the sewing machine. he finished
several years ago and since that tim,
undoubtedly has beeT waiting his time
to get out of prison that he might reap
the reward of his ingenuity and now ii
seems that he is on the right road.
In passing through Bangor Graves drop
ped off at the station and had a chat
with one or two friends and seemed al
together a changed man since regaining
his freedom He looks toward the fu-
ture cheerfully with a hope of blotting
out in a way the awful years which he
has passed through since the tragedy
which occurred years ago and for which.
after long chase. he was captured III
California, convicted and sentenced to life
imprisonment at ThomaSton. sentence
| commutcd to g years and his time. in
| GLIDING the time allowance for good b, :
havior, expired March A. TIc hopes to
| take the rema indcr of his life easily and
live quietly among his old friends from
| whom he has been separated for a gen.
Grafton.
1t is said that Graves has been offered
several thousand dollars for his invention
while he was yet in jail. The value of
his invention was recognized by we'll
known manufacturing company and every
effort made to get hold of it, but Graves
stoutly refused, saying he would keep it
for himself and when he got out he would
talk business, but as long as he remained
in prison with no hope of getting out he
would keep his secret within him.
Since his release from the prison lit
tie over two weeks ago he has been at
his old home near Ellsworth, as happy
as can be. A new life has opened to him
in that time and he is enjoying it to the
fullest extent. In two weeks since get
ting out of prison he has gained 20 pounds
and now looks healthy and happy.