The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-11-09

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Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico. being bounded On
the north and east by Soeorro county
elt OF which it was mainly takenl;
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on the west by Grant and Socorro c0un-
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 nifty
four miles from north to south. and
and about the same from east to west,
2,376 square miles, the county has a d.
yersiied 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
Caballo) aud at their western base that
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 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-
ceptiou of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which how
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 INTO
the plains.
Elevations, jim the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1,4s4 (Fest's Ferry
TO SIT Alamosal, 6,540 canada Ala
mosal, to 8,O45 NelI's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 lhlo
Grande, above Rincon], to 1850 laboVe
Mutt station, 1924 [Hillsborough, l.
494 IBerrenda spring., to 1874 lHen-
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
RIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava station,
to 1872 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght 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 we'll, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka Y Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirtlng II
also around its southern limits, ana
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Falryiew and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to H~illsborough'
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
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 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 towns: Grafton, Fairview'
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Ner valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severaI
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
q The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land EN-.
bracing a considerable section of the
Bio Grande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different aHiuents atforC
room enough to do so, agricultural pur
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturagt
.ands 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, Cnchillo Negro
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
borough, Percha and Lake Valley.
The center Of Apache mining dis
frict ia Chloride: in Chloride gulCh