The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-02-16

Sierra county is situated IN south
central New Mexico. being bourfded on
the north aud east by SJcorro county
cut OF which it was mainly takenli
on the south by Dena Ana county and
on 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 tue western limit. Ii not
very large in extent, averaging MY
four miles from north TO south. anu
and about the same from east 10 wesl,
2.87e SQUARE miles, the county has a di-
versihed topography. In tile extreme
east are large plains; then asystem oil
mountain ranges. running from north
IN south. along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fs Cristobal anu
rshano, and at their western base thai
river leaving about one-third OF The
area of the county on the eastern
hank. On tile west side plains tntei-
runtea mere aud there by prominehceS
extend to the foot bills of the Black
range for from twenty To thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Slopihg' hV'
onlv from north to south, but aiso
Gu tho northeast to southwest, The
drainage is well defined. WIN Tue tx
c~ention of a few creeks, in the utter
most north west corner, which no"
westward into the Rio Gi!a,a u streams
flow southeast, iuto the no Orahue'
The beds of these streams, appfoacH
inc their mouths, are worn deep mo
the plains. oe,ho
Eleyations,in the northern part OF the
.onntv vary from l,4S4 (Fests Ferry
10 b177 rAlamosal, 6,54o canada Ala
mosa1. to S.o45 INelI's Passl, from the
Rio Grande, to the western BOUNDARY
"a the northern part from 1000 lhlo
Grande. above Rinconl, to4,6S9 labove
Mutt stationl. 1924 [H~illsboroushl =
lp4 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 lien
drick,s peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually oes-
send trcm APO [below Lava stallohI,
toAaA2 feet above Grama, in a distance
Of forty.etght miles. There are springs
soattared over this eastern part Oh the
country, and that water can he OBTAIN
ed by sinking tubular wells there IS nv
doubt. AS a proof that water EXISTS
the railroad well, at Upham statloh'
formerly Martlu's we'll may be men
fioned. The Atchison, Topeka q Santa
no road runs through the entire length
Of this part of the country, sklrIiig -
also around It's southern limits, anu
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 Engie
station. to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride
Eairview and Grafton, or III the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough'
Kingston. Pearcha City and hermosa'
which latter, also, can be reached IRON
Engle, via Cuchitio Negro. :.
fThe western part of the county Is
well watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or nlhe
creeks empty into the CHA, on lht
west side Of the Black Range On tht
east side are, heading in the BiacF
Range. Alamosa creek, having a souVi
aasterly course, with Alamosa lMontl
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cucnillo Negro; its upper cours'
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mine
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and sonll
Fork. There are, in the Range, th
following towns: Grafton, FairvleW
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
z Rio Palomas, Rio Sero and Rio An
mas creeks are Of the same origin AN
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with sewers
heads, Percha City Kingston and Ill
borough. .
The county is we'll divided into I'll
valley, mesa and mountain land Gu
bracing "a considerable section OF u
Rio Grande valley, where agricultuL
il followed; wherever openings in u
valleys of the different atiuents aftol
room enough to do SO, agricultural pu
quits are followed.
2 Being we'll watered, the pastura'
lands are fully available, and the sto'
interests are in good condition.
1.-THE main interests of Sierra coun
are centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts al
Anacha. Black Range, Cuchlllo Neg