The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1895-09-13
Sierra County.

centrI New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east b. SOcOrrO county
out OF which it was mainly taken);
on the soath by DOna Ana county aud
on the west by raat and SOcorrO eOun-
ties. The principal meridian Of New
Msxico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit Of tie Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north 20 south. and
aud about The sane from east 10 west
1876 square miles, the county has a d.
Yersided topography. IN the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges. running from north
to south, along the, eas. bank OF the
Rio Grands Sierra Fa CristObal and
Caballo) aud 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
ruptei here and there by prominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty 10 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 low
westward into the Rio Gila, all streams
low southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
EleyatiOnsIn the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1,4S4 TESTS Ferry
to OH AlamOsal. $50 canada Ala
mosaL, to s,O45 Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, TO the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 [Rio
Grande, above Rineonl O4,6o9 [abOve
Mutt statiOnL 5,224 [HillsbOrOughl, T.
s94 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 Hen
driCk's Peak. On the east side Of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava statiOnl,
to 4.S42 feet above Grama, in a distance
of fOrty-elght 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 welll 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 IS miles.
Stage lines c~Onneetthe country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Engie
station, to CuchiIlo Negro. Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or II the south
from Lake Valley TO HillsbOrOugh,
Kingston, Pearcha City and heTmosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via CuehillO 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 prineipalitown.
Rio CuchillO Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fora. There are, IN the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchilio Ne
gro IS II the 10 ser 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 c0untyis well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
Is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different ~afinents afford
room enough TO do SO, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available. and the stock
interests are il good condition.
The main interests Of Sierra county
are centeTed in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
apache, Black Range, Cuehillo Negro,
Kingston, HermOsa, Animas, Hills
borough, Percha and Lake Valley.
The center of Apache mining dis
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