Sam Croker

Samuel Burns Croker
Born	Template:Birth date Dungowan Station, near Tamworth, New South Wales, Australia
Died	September 20, 1892(1892-09-20) (aged 40)
Occupation(s)	Stockman, drover
Known for	Partnering with Nathaniel Buchanan to open the Murranji Track; involvement in Northern Territory pastoralism and conflicts

Samuel Burns Croker (20 June 1852 – 20 September 1892) was a prominent Australian stockman and drover who operated primarily in Queensland and the Northern Territory. Often referred to as "Greenhide Sam Croker" due to his skill with greenhide—the untreated animal hide—he notably partnered with Nathaniel Buchanan in opening the Murranji Track in 1886. Croker's professional life was marked by involvement in several violent confrontations, and he ultimately lost his life at the hands of Aboriginal stockman Charlie Flannigan at Auvergne Station.

Early life

Born at Dungowan Station near Tamworth, New South Wales, Croker was the son of Scottish immigrants John and Martha Croker. His family moved several times throughout his childhood.

Life in the Northern Territory

Starting in 1877, Croker worked alongside Nat Buchanan, becoming his trusted assistant and achieving the distinction of being the first European to traverse the Barkly Tableland that same year. He held positions on multiple properties owned by Buchanan, including Wave Hill Station (established 1882). During his time there, he took part in retaliatory actions against the Gurindji people, including an incident where he shot a man who tried to steal a bucket shortly after the station was founded.

In 1882, Croker was involved in the Red Lilly Lagoon Massacre at Elsey Station, which was a reprisal killing of 20 Mangarayi individuals following the death of Duncan Campbell. He collaborated with Augustus Lucanus during this event; notably, Charlie Flannigan is said to have escaped at that time.

An earlier episode occurred in December 1878 at Glencoe Station, where Croker led a retaliatory massacre after station hand William Travers was killed, resulting in the deaths of numerous local Aboriginal people regardless of their direct involvement.

At the time of his death aged 40, Croker was serving as acting manager of Auvergne Station, temporarily replacing manager Jack Watson. He had brought Flannigan from Wave Hill Station to assist with constructing cattle yards, offering him a week's employment. During this period, Croker reportedly harassed Flannigan, who later claimed that Croker would fire shots nearby to intimidate him.

Croker’s death followed a dispute over cards with Flannigan. Subsequently, Flannigan surrendered to authorities and became the first person officially executed in the Northern Territory; his execution took place at Fannie Bay Gaol on 15 July 1893. The case attracted significant media attention both locally and across Australia.

Description

Gordon Buchanan, son of Nat Buchanan, portrayed Croker as:

Grave

Croker is interred at Auvergne Station, located from Timber Creek.

Legacy

Several sites across the Northern Territory bear Croker's name as a testament to his lasting influence:

• Croker Creek, located on Wave Hill Station within the traditional lands of the Gurindji.
• Croker Street found in Katherine, Northern Territory.
• Croker Street situated in Nakara, Northern Territory.