The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-03-30

GhASo ? T.
Sierra county IS situated in south
ceutral New Mexico, being bounded on
the north aud east by Soeorro county
Out of whlca it was mainly taken)i
on the south by Dona Ana county aud
on the west by Grant aud Socorro coun
ties, The principal meridian OF New
Mexico forms lis eastern boundary for
as miles, The summit ofthe Black
Range is the western limit. Ii moi
very large in. extent, averaging MY
fonr miles from north 10 south, and
and about the same from east 10 wes',
s.g7e square miles, the county has = d.
yersiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from hoith
tn south. along tue east bank OF the
Rio rande tSierra Fa Cristob0l ana
cabalIol aud at their western base thai
river. leaving about 0ne-thlrd oil the
area of the county GU the eastern
hank. On the west side plalns, inter
rupte6 here and there by promlhehces
extend to the foot hills OF the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while 1naIly that rdnGe occupies the
yesternmost portion. SlopIng' not
only from north to SOUTH puV ai'o
from the northeast to southwest the
drainage is well defined. WIN the eX-
ceptiou of a few creeks, in The utter
most north west corner, which now
westward into the Rio Gi.a, All streams
aow southeast, into the Rio Granite.
The beds of these streams, approach
;no their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Eleyations,'i in the northern part oil the
county, vary from s1,4S4 (Fests fetlyl
to 5.l77 TA!amosal, 6,54O LCanada Ala
mosal. to 8,O45 [Nelis Passl, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary.
IN the northern part from 1000 lhlo
Grande, above Rinconl, to 4,6S9 laooVe
Mutt station SPA [tlills6oronehl, l.
ze4 rBerrenta sprtngl, to 1914 men
bricks Peak. On the east side OF The
Rio Grande, the plains gradually ues-
cend from APO below Lava statlonI >
to 4342 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty eight miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can ne OBTAIN
ed by sinking tubular wells. theie Is ~
dopbt. AS a proof that water e%lstS'
the railroad well, at Upham stalIoh'
formerly Martn's we'll may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka& Santa
Fe road runs through the entire lenstil
of this part of the country skiftl''s II
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northetly
branch of ID miles.
Stage lines connectth country across
the Rio Grande. starting from EngIt
station, to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride
Falryiew and Grafton, or IN the souo'
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough
Kingston, Pearcha City and hefinosa
which latter, also. can be reached iron
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part OF the county Il
well watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or Mn
creeks empty into the GlIa, on III
west side Of the Black Range. On IN
east side are, heading in the b'acl
Range. Alamosa creek, having a soati
easterly course, with A!amosa lMohti
cellol The principal town.
RIO Cuehillo Negro; us upper cours
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Nine
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and oonli
Fork. There are, in the Range, I'll
following towns: Grafton, FaIrvle"
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio AM
mas creeks are.of the same origin AM
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hlll
borough.
The county is well divided into th
valley, mesa and mountain land eu
.bracing a considerable section OF th
Rio Crande valley, where agrlcultur
is followed; wherever openings in IN
valleys of the different afiHents affor
room enough to do 50, agricultural puI
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturaa
lands are fully available. and the stoc
interests are in good condition.
Tha main interests of Sierra count