The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-01-18

Sierra county is situated IN, SCUM
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 Socorro coun-
: es. The principal meridian OF New
adexico forms its eastern boundary for
as miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. Ii not
very large in extent, averaging NIFTY
four miles from north TO south. ana
and about the same from east TO west,
9.s7e SQUARE miles, the county has a d.
yersifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from norm
20 south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Graude 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 there. by promlnenees
axten6 to the foot hills of the Black
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 now
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
aow southeast, into the Rio france
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep INFO
the plains.
Eleyations,in the northern part OF the
county. vary from 1884 (Fest's Ferry
10 BIT Alamosal, 6.540 canada Ala
mosal, to s,O4 3 Nell's Pass, from -
Rio Grande, to the .western boundary
IN the northern part from 1000 lkio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 4,6S9 LaboVe
Mutt s~tationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughs 4
Ae4 lBerrenda sprlngl, to 1914 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
csnd from 4,72O [below Lava statlonl'
to 4.S42 feet above Grama. in a distance
Of forty.elght miles. There are springs
scattered wei this eastern part OIL Ihe
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 q Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
Of this part of the country, sklrtlng II
also around its southern limits, ant
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, BY a northerl!
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engl
station, to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride
Fairyiew and Grafton, or in the soutl
from Lake Valley to Hillsborougr
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermos
which latter, also, can be reached iron
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part OF the county
we'll watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or min
creeks empty into the ella, on I'd
west side Of the Black Range. On I'd
east side are, heading in the Blac
Range, Alamosa creek. having a sout
easterly course, with Alamosa Mont
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper cour'
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, MINI
al. Dry and Chloride creeks and Soul
Fork. There are, in the Range, Il
following towns; Grafton, Fairvle'
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo N
gro is in the lover valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Al
mas creeks are.of the same origin a.
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with sever
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hi
borough.
The county is well divided into t
valley. mesa and mountain land e
bracing a considerable section OF t
Rio rande valley, where agriculti
Swallowed; wherever openings in
valleys of the different a%fiuents afft
room enough TODD SO, agricultural p
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pastur'
lands are fully available, and the ST.
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra cou'
are ~centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts 6
Apache. Black Range, Guchlllo NeI
Kingston, Hermosa. Animas, Hl