The Black range., 1894-03-09

central New Mexico. being bounded 0r
the north and east by Socorro county
5ut OF which it was mainly laken)
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on the west by Grant and SOcorro coun
lies. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary fol
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 west,
2,376 square miles, the county has di-
yersifsd topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then system OF
mountain ranges, running from north
to south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
CaballO) and 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
rapted here and there by promlneuces
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sloplng, not
only from north TO south, but also
from she northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the eX-
ception of few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which how
westward into the Rio Gi!a, all streams
tlow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
fhe plains.
Elevations i'm She northern part of the
county, vary from sl,484 (Fest's Ferry
10 5.l77 [Alamosal, 6,540 Canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 Nells Passl, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary,
IN the northern part from 4'OOO Rio
Grande, aboye Rinconl, to 1859 above
Mutt stationl, 1924 Hlllsboroughh u
494 fBerrenda spring., to 1874 lien
drick's Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava stationl
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can be obtain
ed bvsinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. AS a 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, sklrtlng IL
also around its southern. limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch. of 3.miles.
Stage lines connect the country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairyiew 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 Glla, on the
west side Of the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek, having south
easterly course, with Alamosa Month
cello the principal town.
Rio Cuchilo Negro; its upper course
is formed 10y Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, FairVlew,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Eer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio AMI
mas creeks are of the sarne origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
Z 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 athuents afford
room enough do so, agricultural pur-
quits are followed.
Beng well watered, the pssturage
lands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are;
Apache, Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro