The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-02-01
Sierra County.

Sierra county is situated in south
entral New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by SocorrO county
out OF which it was mainly taken)'
on the sOuth by Dona Ana county and
on the west by rant and SoeOrro cOun'
ties The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary fol
as 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, and
aud about the same from east TO west
2.376 square miles, the county has a di'
versifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
TO south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballo) 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 thereby prominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sloping. 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
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations,.lin the northern part of the
county, vary from 1854 Fest's Ferry
to 5,I7z Alamosal, 6,54O canada Ala.
mosa], to S,O4 3 Nelrs Pass, - The
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rincon], to 1859 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughb T.
594 GBerrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio G7ande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,72O [below Lava station],
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 a 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 a northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to H~illsborough,
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, 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 lMonti-
cellol the principal 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, Fairview,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 wer 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 we'll divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio rapde valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afluentsU afford
room enough 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
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
borough, Percha and Lake Valley.
The center of Apache mining dis
trict is Chloride: in Chloride gulch