The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-01-26
Sierra County.

Rureeu Of Iu~migrationl.
Sierra county is situated in sout
central New Mexico. being bounded o.
The north aud east by SOcorro count.
out OF which it vas mainly taken)
en- the south by Dona Ana county ant
en- the west by Grant and SocorrO coun
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary fol
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging City
four miles from north TO south, and
and about the same from east to west
2,S7e square miles, the county has a di-
yersiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then asystem 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
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. Sloplng' not
only from north TO south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which now
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep INTO
the plains.
E~levations,,i i'm the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1884 (Fests Ferry
TO 5,l77 rAlamosal, 6,54O Canada Ala
mosal, TO 8,O45 [Nelrs Passl' from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary,
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to4,6S9 laboVe
Mutt stationl 1924 [HillsboroughI, l.
494 rBerrenda spring., to 1874 lhen-
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava statlonl,
to 4,342 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 4 proof that water exists,
The railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
The Atchison, Topeka u Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirting 1t
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
.1rancb.of 10 miles.
Stage lines .connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cucmllo Negro, Chloride,
Falryiew and Grafton, or i'll the south
trom Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermosa,
which latter, also. Gamble reached from
via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part of the county is
well watered by creeks and streams.
N fha mort u,act oornar ainbt n uipal
empty into the ella, or the
west side OF the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
AlamoSa creek, having a south
s~asterly course, with Alamosa [Monti-
'ellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
8 formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
Il, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
towns: Grafton, Fairview,
chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio PalOmas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are Of the same origin and
same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
reads, Percha City Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
mesa and mountain land em-
lracing a considerable section of the
Grande valley, where agriculture
S followed; wherever openings in the
of the different aAi uents afford
DOM enough to do so, agricultural pur-
juits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
ands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
ire conferred in the mines.
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