The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-09-28
Sierra County,

sierra county is situated In south
central New Mexico. being bounded on
the north and east by SOeorro county
ott OF which 1t was mainly taken)i
on The south by DOna Ana county and
on the west by Grant and Socorro coun-
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms It's eastern boundary for
as miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit, II not
very large in extent, averaging hfty-
four miles from north To south, n
and about the same from east TO west,
2,ST6 square miles, the county has q dis
yersifed topography, In the extreme
east are large plaInsi then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
TO south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballol 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
rupted here and there by p~rominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
yesternmost portion. Slipping. not
only from north TO south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is we'll defined. With h ex-
ceptiou of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow southeast, iuto the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations in the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1884 Fests Ferry
to 5,lT7 Alamosal. 6,54D canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 Nell's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1900 lhlo
Grande, aboye Rinconl to 1850 LaboVe
Mutt station, 5.224 [Hillsboroughb l.
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rlo Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,72O [below Lava statlonI,
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty eight miles. There are springs
scattered we this eastern part OF the
country, and that water "a be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there is nc
doubt. AS "a proof that water exists,
the railroad we'll, at Upham station,
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
toned. The Atchisou, Topeka 4 Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, sklrtlng II
also around its southern limits, and
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,
Falrvlew and Grafton, or i'll 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
well 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
east arIy course, with Alamosa lMonti-
celIol 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, Fairvlew,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 ger valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are.of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well 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 afiuents afford
room enough todo so, agricultural pur-
quits are followed,
Beng well watered, the pasturage
.auds 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:
ADache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,