The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-06-28

Taken From ~tatisties Compiled by the
bureau of Immigration).
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 Dcna Ana county and
on the west by rant and Socorro coun-
aies. 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 nIty-
four miles from north to south. and
aud about the same from east to west
2.376 square miles, the county has a I'll
versi6ed topography. In the extreme
east are large plans; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from nortn
TO south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobai and
Caballo) and at their western base thai
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 promlnences
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 HOW
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 mo
the plains.
Elevations.l n the northern part oil the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to SIT Alam0sal, 6.540 canada Ala
mosaI, to S,045 NelPS Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
In the northern part from 1000 lkio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1859 laboYe
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsborough 4
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 Hen
bricks Peakl. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.720 below Lava stationI ],
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water be obtain
ed by sinkiug tubular wells, there Is nc
doubt. AS a proof that water exlstS'
the railroad well, at Upham station
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men,
tioned. The AtchisOn, Topeka O. Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, sklrtlng IL
Also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northeriy
branch of Is miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
tine Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station. to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to HlllsDorough'
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, Can be reached IRON
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro
The western part. of the. county is
well watered by creeks n 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
e~asterly course, with Alamosa lMontl-
cellol the principaEtown.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; iits upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
81. Dry aud Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Falrylewr
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
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severaI
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land etn
bracing d considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed wherever openings in The
valleys of the different afflueDts affor(
room enough to 40 so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturag'
lands + fully available, and the stool
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra count.
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are