The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-08-16
Sierra County.

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centrl New Mexico being bounded On
the north aud east by SOcOrrO county
out OF which il was mainly taken)
on the south by Dcna Ana county and
on the westby rant and SOcOfro coun-
ties. The principal meridian Of Ne"
Mexico forms lis eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. III not
very large il extent, averaging htty-
four miles from north 10 south. and
and about the same from east 10 west,
2,376 square miles, the county has a d.
versiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges. running from north
20 south, along the east bank Of the
Rio Grande Sierra Ia CristObal and
Caballo) and at their western base that
liver. lsaving about oae-third of the
area OF the county on the eastern
bank. Ga the west side plains, inter
rupted here and there by prominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
-ange for from twenty 10 thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmOst portion. Slipping. not
only from moth 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 n the northern part Of the
county, vary from 1884 TESTS Ferry
60 5,l77 Alamosal. $40 canada Ala
mosal, TO sos Nell's Pass. from the
Rio Grande, TO the western boundary
N the northern part from 1000 lRio
Grande, above RincOnl, to4,6S9 [aboye
Mutt s%tatiOnl SPA LHillsborOugbh l.
g9l [Berrenda spring., TO 1874 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 1920 below Lava statioDI,
to 1872 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,
Che railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
Stoned. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe road runs 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
branch of IS miles.
Stage lines cOnnectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to CuchlllO Negro. Chloride,
Fairyiew 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 northwest corner, eight or nine
creeks empty into the ella. Oh the
vest 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-
celIol 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, il the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairyiew,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is il the ! over valley.
Rio 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 em-
braciIg a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed wherever openings in the
valleys Of the different afluents afford
room enough to do so, agricultural pur
suits 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
ere centefed III the mines.
The principal mining districts are
Apache, Black Range, Cuchillo Negro
Kingston. Hermosa. Animas, Hills
borough, Percha and Lake Valley.
The center Of Apache mining dis
4riet IA Chloride in Chloride guIch