Graves was born in New Castle, Kentucky, and pursued an academic course early in life, choosing to study law.

He was admitted to the bar and practiced law in Kentucky before serving as member of the State house of representatives in 1834.

Graves was a stand-in for New York newspaper editor James Watson Webb, whom Cilley had called corrupt.

As the challenged party, Cilley had the choice of weapons; he selected rifles at 80 yards, a distance that would negate Graves' shooting skill.

After again shortening the distance, on the third fire Graves hit Cilley in the femoral artery; he bled to death in ninety seconds.