What is "croakers"

Usage examples of "croakers".

Itinerant short con and carny hyp men have burned down the croakers of Texas.

I have Lily moved into a private room, and get her all the nurses the law allows, and the best croakers in Montreal, and flowers, and one thing and another, but one of the medicos tells me it is even money she will not last three weeks, and 7 to 5 she does not go a month.