The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-10-05
Sierra County.

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sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico. being bounded on
The north and east by S1c0rro county
pit or which it was mainly takenl;
on tbs south by Dona Ana county and
on the west by Grant and Soeorro eoun-
ties. The principal meridian OF New
dexico forms its eastern boundary for
as miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. II not
.ery large in extent, averaging nifty
four miles from north to south, n
and about the same from east 10 west
9.S76 square miles, the county has a al-
yersifed topography. In the extreme
east are large PLAINS; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from nOfth
TO south. along the east bank oil the
Rio Graude Sierra Fa Cristobai and
Caballol aud at their western base thal
river, leaving about one-third oil the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains inter
rupted here and there by promlnences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
yesternmost portion. Sloplng' not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the eX-
ceptioa of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which no."
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
Tow southeast, into the RIO Grahde.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep INC
the plains.
Eleyations.fn the northern part OF the
county, vary from l,4S4 Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alanosal, 6,54o Canada Ala
mosal. to S,O45 NelT's Pass, from the
Pio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1000 thlo
6rande, above Rinconl, to 1859 laboVe
Mutt station 5.224 [IIiIlsboroughs L
494 IBerrenda sprinel. to 1914 ltieh-
bricks Peak. On the east side Of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 1920 below Lava station
to 1912 feet above Gram&, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF Tue
country, and that water can be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there IS nc
doubt. AS a proof that water exists
the railroad well, at Upham station
formerly Martins well may be men
TONED. The Atehison, Topeka y Santa
re road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, sklrtlhg IL
also around its southern limits, ana
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, TX a n~ortherly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station. to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride
Fajryiew and Grafton, or III the south
from Lake Valley to H~illsborough'
Kingston. Pearcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle. via Cuchlllo Negro.
The western part of the county Is
we'll watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or nine
creeks empty into the ella, on the
west side OF the Black Range. On thf
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek, having 3 south
easterly course, with AIamosa lMonti'
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, Falrvlew
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Eer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio SeoO and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
heads. Percha City, Kingston and Hill
borough.
The county, is we'll divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain Ian em
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio Grande valley, where agriculture
ia followed; wherever openings in tht
valleys of the different afluents atforC
room enough to do 50, agricultural pur
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the p~asturag'
,snds are fully available. and the stool
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
ere conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are
Apache, Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro
Iys.-A-- IIArpaann AnInnlC HIlIC