No Father Figure
Bold little Calvin Graham was born in Crockett, Texas, in 1930. He grew up in a crowded house with six other siblings, an abusive stepfather, and his mother, who worked as a hotel maid. Graham’s real dad died in a car accident, and his replacement was an angry drunk who had it out for the young boy.
Photo by Universal History Archive/Getty Images
According to his sister, “Every time our stepdad came home, he’d get on Calvin. My brother pretty much had to raise himself.” Graham finally decided he couldn’t take it anymore, and at only 11 years old, he moved away from home into a cheap rooming house.