The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-09-07

oleIEa county IL situateu In eOuth
central New Mexico, being bounded IN
the north and east by Socorro county
out OF which it rs mainly taken)
gD the south by Dcna Ana county and
on the westby Grant and Socorro coun-
ties. The principal meridian OF New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit Of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large In extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south. and
aud about the same from east TO west,
1916 square miles, the county has a di-
versiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem oil
mountain ranges, running from north
to south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one-third of the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains. inter
rupted here and there by prominenees
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
w%esternmost portion. Sloping. not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, The
drainage is well defined. With the tx-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which how
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
EIevations,,i in the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to SLIT Alamosal, 6.540 canada Ala
mosaL, to 8,O45 Nell's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the wester boundary
IN the northern part from 1900 Lklo
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1850 [above
Mutt statioul, 1924 [HiI%lsboroughl, l.
4e4 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 lien
bricks Peak. On the east side OF The
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
Cend from 4720 [below Lava stationL,
to 1872 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty.etght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can he obtain
ed By siuking tubular wells, there Is no
doubt. As a proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins WE'LL may be nen-
toned. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part Of the country, skirting II
also around its southern limits, ana
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, hy'a northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines c~onnectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Eng'e
station, to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or III the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborougb,
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part of the county Is
we'll watered by creeks and streams.
In the northwest corner, eight or niue
creeks empty into the ella, on the
west side Of the Black Range, On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek, having a south
easterly course, with AIamosa [Monti-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
Is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Eer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is we'll divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land EN-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio Grande valley, where agriculture
is followed: wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afluents afford
room enough to do so, agricultural pur-
quits are followed,
Being well watered, the p~asturage
lands are fully available. and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,
Kingston. HermOSa. Auimas, Hills