The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-12-28
Sierra County,

entral New MEXICO uulhB uouh4NN -
the north and east by S0coFro county
out or which it was mainly tasenli
on the south by Dcna Ana county ana
on the west by rant and Socorro coup-
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary TOT
as miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. IL not
very large in extent, averaging MY
four miles from north 10 south, ana
and about the same from east to west
2,376 square miles, the county has q ui-
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 ana
Caballol aud 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
rpnted here and thereby prominences
extend to the foot hills OF the blach
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sioplng' no'
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is we'll defined. with the e&-
ception of a few creeks, in the utlef-
most northwest corner, when ~"
westward into the Rio ella. all streams
aow southeast, into the Rio Grande'
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep mo
the plains. s.,o
Eleyations,tin the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fests FefrN
to SIT Alamosal, 6.54O canada Ala
mosal, to s,O4 q Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,ooo mo
Grande, above Rinconl to 4,6S9 laooVe
Mutt station, 1924 [Hillsboroughb u
494 (Berrenda springl, to 1874 LHen-
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava s%tatlonl
to A 342 feet above Grama, III a distance
Of forty.elght miles. There are springs
scattered we this eastern part OF Tue
country, and that water can be OBTAIN
ed bysinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. As a proof that water exlSts'
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, skirting IL
also around its southern limits, ana
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northeriy
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station. to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride,
Fairyiew andra fton, or in 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 the
east side are, heading in the BLACK
Range, Alamosa creek, having a south
easterly course, with Alamosa lMontl-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Minel
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 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the same origin anc
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hill
borough.
Tbecounty is we'll divided into thu
valley, mesa and mountain lane EN-
bracing a considerable section of tn
Rio rande valley, where agricultur
is followed; wherever openings in tn
valleys of the different a%fluents affor'
room enough TODD so, agricultural pun
cults are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturag
lands are fully available, and the stoc
interests are in good condition.
1.-THE main interests of Sierra count
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are
h Apache, Black Range, Cpchlllo Negro
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
borough, Percha and Lake Valley.
#F r. n -oAr lP panhn nnfninn dis