The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-05-17
Sierra County.

cuttdt NcH M1Atcus OttAs On
the north and east by SOcOrrO county
out OF which it was mainly taken) f;
on the south by D0na Ana county and
on the west by rant and SOcOrrO cOun-
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, and
and about the same from east | o west,
2,376 square miles, the county has a di-
versiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; 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 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, in the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fests Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal. $50 canada Ala
mosal, to S,045 Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1000 [RiO
Grande, above Rinconl to 4,6S9 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 LLlillsboroughl =
l94 [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 oYer this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can be obtain
ed b yslnking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. AS "a proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins well may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka 4 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 %noItherly
branch of IS miles.
Stage lines connect the country across
the Rio Crande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview ard Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to HillsbOrough,
Kingston, Pearcha City and HermOsa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via CuchiIlo Negro.
The western part. of the county is
well 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, healing in the Black
Alamosa creek, having a south
easterly course, with Alamosa Monti-
cello. 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 aud Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne.
gro is in the lower valley.
Rio Pal0mas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin and
he same general course. 1
Rio Percha waters, with several
reads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
mesa and mountain land EN-
racing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
8 followed; wherever openings in the
of the different afluents afford
Dom enough TODD so, agricultural pur
uits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
lnds are fully available, and the stock
iterestsare in good condition.
The main interests Of Sierra county
re- conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
.pache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro.
ingston, Hermosa. Animas, Hills
Percha and Lake Valley.
The center of Apache mining dis