The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-06-14
Sierra County.

Sierra county is situated lin south
entral New Mexico. being bounded on
the north aud east by Socorro county
out OF which it was mainly taken)
on the south by Dcna Ana county and
on the westby rant and Socorro eoun-
9ies. The principal meridian OF New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
IS 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. aud
and about the same from east 10 west,
2,37e square miles, the county has a di-
yersihed 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 Fa CTistobal and
Caballol and az their western base that
riyer 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 prominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
While finally that range occupies the
westernmost 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 flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow 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 1881 TESTS Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal. $50 canada Ala
mosal, to S,045 Neil'5 Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
In the northern part from 1000 [Rio
Grande, above Rinconb to 1850 Taboye
Mutt station, 1924 LHillsborough, 4
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 [Hen-
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
RIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.720 [below Lava stationl,
TO 4.342 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 be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. AS Il proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. 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 u northerly
branch of 10 miles.
stage lines connectth country across
yhe Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cucnllo Negro. Chloride,
and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley TO Hillsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha City and Hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part. of the county is
VOL watered by creeks and streams.
IN the northwest corner, eight or nine
empty into the ella, on the
west side of the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Alamosa creek, having a south
e~asterly course, with Alamosa Monti
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
IS formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There Sare, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are. of the same origin and
he same general course. |
Rio Percha waters, with several
reads, Pereha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is we'll divided into the
mesa and mountain land en-
a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
5 followed; wherever openings in the
of the different afluents afford
oom enough TODD so, agricultural pur
uits are followed.
Being well watered. the pasturage
ands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
re centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
.pache. Black Range, Cuchillo Negro,
,ingston, Hermosa. Animas, Hills
orough, Percha and Lake Valley.
TIE center of Apache mining dis
.ick, ia Chloride. in Chloride uuInh