The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-09-14
Sierra County.

central New Mexico. being bounded on
The north and east by SIcorro county
out OF which il was mainly taken);
on the south 10y Dcna Ana county aud
on the west by 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. Ii not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south, and
and about the same from east TO wesl,
1910 square miles, the county has a d.
versiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
20 south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa CristObal and
Caballo) aud at their western base that
river, leaving about one-third of the
area of the county OH the eastern
bank. On the west side plains, inter
rupied 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
westernnOst portion. Sloplng, not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ceptiou of u few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio CHA, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep INFO
the plains.
Elevations in the northern part of the
county, vary from l,4S4 (Fest's FerrW
to SILT Alamosal, 6,54O lCanada Ala
mosa1, to 8,O45 Nell's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1900 TRIO
Grande, above Rincon], to 1850 [lbove
Mutt station, 5.224 [tlillsbnroughb l.
l94 Berrenda spring., TO 1874 lien
bricks Peak On the east side Of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava stationJ,
to 4,342 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-eight miles. Thele are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water a lie obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there is M
doubt. AS IA proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka u Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, sklrting 1t
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
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
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 nine
creeks empty into the ella, on the
westside of the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, AlamosA creek, having a south
aasterly course, with Alamosa Month
cello] The principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; lis upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and Sonlh
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride aud Hermosa, Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Sero and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
beads, 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 afinents afford
room enough TODD 50, agricultural pur-
suits are followed.
Being we'll watered. the ~pasturage
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, Cuclilllo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
a. - W