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

0AeaAN NRAANI - oANaANAA IL 11of-
central New Mexico, being bounded Oh
the north and east by S0corro county
out OF which it was mainly taken)
on the south by Dona Ana county and
en- the west by Grant and SOcOrro coun.
les. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary foT
ss miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north to south. and
aud about the same from east TO west,
2,s7e square miles, the county has a di-
yersifed 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) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one-third of the
area of the county GU the eastern
bank. On the west side plains, inter
Tupted here and there by pr0minences
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-
'ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
low southeast, into 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 1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to SAT- [Alamosel, 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 [Nell's Passl, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary,
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1850 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 [HillsbOroughh l.
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side Of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,72O [below Lava stationl
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 a proof that water exists,
she railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The AtchisoD, Topeka q Santa
Fe road uni through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirting it
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a %northerly
hranch;of313 miles.
Stage lines'connectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
Kingston, Pe2rcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, Gamble 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 south
aasterly course, with Alamosa Month
cellol the principal town.
Rio CuchiIlo 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 aud Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Ter valley.
BIO 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 atiuents afford
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur-
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
lands 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, Cuchillo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa. Animas, Hills