The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1894-02-23

Sierra county IS situated I'D aotti
central New Mexico. being boanasd u
the north and east ~ sacorr0 county
out OF which It was mainly taksnl.
on the south 81 Dcna ana county asd
On the west by Grant and s0cofro coan.
<ies. The principal meridian Of New
Mexico forms is eastern boundary fci
20 miles. The summit OF the Black
Range is the western limit. Ii MOI
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north to south. anu
and about the same from east 10 ives
1876 square miles, the county has . d.
versifed topography. In The extreme
east are large plains; then asyslem Of
mountain ranges, running from NORTH
to south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fla Cristohai and
Caballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one-thtfa oi the
area OF the county OIL the eastern
bank. On the west side plains, inter
rupted here and there by prominenees
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westerhmost portion. Sloping, not
only from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, ths
drainage is well defined. With che ex-
ception Of a few creeks, 10 the utter
most north west corner, which nov
westward into the Rio Gi!a,all streams
aow southeast. into The Rio Gfande.
The beds OF these streams. approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep ln.o
the plains.
Elevations, in the northern part OF
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to 5.l77 rAlamosal, $50 Canada Ala
mosal. TO S,045 Nell's Passl, from The
Rio Grande, to the western boundary,
IN the northern part from 1900 lhlo
Grande, above Rinconl, to4.6S9 laboVt
Mutt stationh 1924 [HillsOorougIf, Il
5o4 [Berrenda spring.. to 7,b74 lien
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.72O below Lava statlohl'
to 1872 feet above Grama, in a distance
nj. fortv.etoht miles. Thele ale springs
scattered over this eastern paft OF the
country, and that water q oe OBTAIN
ed byslnking tubular wells, there Is no
doubt. AS 4 proof chat water exists
the railroad well, at Uplam station,
formerly Martlu'S we'll may be mem
TONED. The Atehison, topeka y santa
Fe road runs through The entire length
of this part of the country, skirtlhg II
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a northetly
Branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview 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 Guchlilo 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 CHA, on the
west side Of The Black Range. On the
east side are. heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa crock, having a soalh.
easterly course, with AIamosa LAlontl-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchilio Negro; lis upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
Ill, Dry and Chloride creeks and south
Fork. There are, in tie Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairyiew,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro isln The 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seeo 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.
Thecountyis well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land em-
hracing a considerable section Of the
Rio Gfande valley, where agriculture
Is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys OF the different afluents afford
room enough TODD 50, agricultural pur-
suits are followed.
Beng well watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
ftgrhe main interests of Sierra county
ere conferred III the mines.
The principal mining districts are
- HNAE 49, 49,