Welcome to Barrow Creek
Introduction | Special Dates | Centenary of Federation
Aboriginal Connections | Colourful Characters
Connecting the Kids | Photo Gallery

The Barrow Creek repeater station lies 240 kms north of Alice Springs and around 50 kms from Central Mount Stuart, the geographical centre of Australia. A fresh water spring ensured a plentiful source of water for this important repeater station. Yet this very blessing was to be the likely cause of the worse tragedy in the history of the Overland Telegraph Line.

Before the arrival of the surveying and construction parties, the spring at Barrow Creek supplied water to the Kaiditj tribe and attracted animals which they killed for food. So when the telegraph party fenced off the waterhole for the use of their sheep and cattle, the Aboriginals were less than pleased and this action probably provoked the brutal attack on the station in 1874.

In February of that year, James Stapleton arrived en route to Adelaide from the Katherine telegraph station to find the stationmaster ill. He sent the ailing man on to Adelaide and took his place. At that time, the Aboriginals were quite friendly and some were employed as assistants and linesmen.

On February 22, the Kaiditj attacked the station unexpectedly with a hail of spears. Stapelton fell, with four spears through his body. The assistant stationmaster was also speared, the police trooper hit with clubs and a linesman speared to death. Once safely inside the station, the men retaliated with pistols and rifles and the Aboriginals retreated. An all night vigil was kept, but there were no further attacks.

In a desperate attempt to save Stapleton's life, a doctor was rushed to the central telegraph station in Adelaide to relay medical advice. The men carried Stapleton to the telegraph key and he asked for his wife, then insisted they leave him alone at the key. Later that morning in Adelaide, with Charles Todd by her side, Mrs Stapleton listened to death calling. Charles Todd relayed her the message "God bless you and the children." Stapleton died shortly after.