The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-05-18

NSo~ y &MMAerAetohl
Sierra county is situated I'm south
central New Mexico. being bounded on
the north and east by SIcbrro county
out or whi.l II wU mainly taken);
on Tie south by Dcna Ana county and
IN the west by Grant aud Socorro coun
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms It's 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
and about the same from east 10 west,
1876 square miles, the county has d d.
versiied topography. In the extrttHt'
east are large plans; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
to south, along the east bank of the
Rio G. rande Sierra Fa Cristcbal aud
Caballo) and at their western base that
river, Having about oae-thlrd OF TN
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains. intei-
rupted nrre an thtr- hy prominent
extend to the foot hills OF the Black
range for from twenty to thirty milrS
while finally that range occupies the
w~esternmost portion. Sloplng, not
only from north 10 south, but ais
from the northeast !" soni We +
drainage is well defined. With The tx-
cepticn OF a few crt'ts. a. ne a ~
most northwest corner, which How
westward into the Rio Gil Ian stream
dow southeast, into the Rio Grandt.
The beds OF these streams, approach
;ng their mouths, are wOrn deep ln."
The plains.
Elevations, i the northern pirt of I'll
county, vary from .l,4S4 (Fest'S FeIrtl
10 5,l77 [Alamosal. 6.541 lGanada Ala
mosal, to 8,O45 [Nells Passl, from TIN
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, o4,6S0 [tbnv'
Mutt stationl, 5.224 [tlillsboroushb 4
f94 Berrenda splllp], TO 1914 ltieh-
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava stationb
to 4,342 feet above Grama, in a distancr
of forty.elght miles. Ihel1 are SPRINGS
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water a te obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells. there is III"
doubt. AS IA pre0f that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Mdrtlu's Well may he men
tioned. The Atchison, Topeka Il Sarla
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country. sklrtiiIg 1t
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt STATEN,
with Lake Valley, by a n%ortherly
branch of l3 miles.
Stage lines.connectth the country across
the Rio Grande. starting from EngIe
station, to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride,
Falrview and Grafton, or in 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, AIamosa creek, having a south
easterly course, with Alamosa Month
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 owns: Grafton, Falrvlew,
Chloride and IIermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in The 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio AMI
mas creeks aye.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 em-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio Grande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afl lents afford
room enough todo 81, agricultural pur-
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available, and the STOCK
Interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are centeted in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,