The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-08-10

SIERRA county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded on
the north and east by SScorro county
ont or which it was mainly takenl:
on the south by Dcna Ana county and
ohshe west by Grant and Socorro conn
tles' The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
20 miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
tour miles from north to south. and
ana about the same from east to west.
1876 square miles, the county has a di-
versiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem of
mountain ranges, running from north.
to south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande (Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Gaballo) 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 prominences
extend to the foot hills Of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
Westernmost portion. SlOping, not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations, jim the northern part of the
county, vary from 1884 (FesEs Ferry
to 5,177 Alamosal. 6,540 canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 Nen's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1000 [Riol
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1850 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughl, 4
i594 lBerrenda spring., to 1874 [Hen-
bricks Peak. On the east side Of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,720 below Lava stationl,
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-eIght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part of the
country, and that water can be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells. there is no
doubt. AS a proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
{formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirting it
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch of IS miles.
Stage lines connect the country across
che Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsbor0ugh,
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.
I'm the northwest corner, eight or nine
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 Alamosa [Monti-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
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 wer 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
mesa and mountain land EN-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio Grande valley, where agriculture
IS followed; wherever openings in the
Of the different afluents afford
room enough to do SO, agricultural pur-
suits are followed.
Being well watered. the pasturage
ands are fully available. and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
IRE conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
A nanha RIack Rannn Mnnro