The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-09-06
Sierra County.

AA8hAA HE"A - /
2Ereaa " -Immigrefionl.
Sierra county is situated in south
eentrl New Mexico, being bounded on
the north and east by SOeOrro county
out % which it was mainly taken);
on the south by Dcna Ana county and
on the west by rant and S0corrO coun-
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mrxico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is tins western limit. If not
very large IN extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south. and
and about tile same from east 10 west,
2,3T6 square miles, the county has a d.
yersiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then asystem OF
mountain ranges. running from north
20 south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Ia Cr.stObal 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 prOminenees
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
Eesternmost portion. Slipping, 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 How
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow southeast, into the Bio 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 1854 (FesL's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal. $50 canada Ala
mosal, to s,O45 Nelr's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1900 [Rie
Grande, above Rinconl, tO4,6S9 [above
Mutt statioDl, 1924 [Hillsboroughb l.
594 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Bio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava stationL
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered wei 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,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
toned. The AtchisoD, Topeka & 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
branch of Is miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Bio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to CuchIllo 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 Cuchillo Negro.
The western part of the county is
well watered by creeks and streams.
In the nOTthyest'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
easterlY course, with Alamosa [Monti-
cellol the priAcipal.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, Fairyiew.
Chloride and Hermosa. CuchillO Ne
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio PalOmas, Rio SecO and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the anne origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hill:
borough.
The county, is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land EN-.
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different ~aflueDts afford
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well wa5ered. the pasturagC
lands age fully available. and the stocE
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are