The Black range., 1895-05-31
raCounty.

the north aud east by S0corro county
cut OF which it was mainly taken);
on the south by Dena Ana comfy and
on the west by rant aad 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. Ii n0t
very large in extent, averaging iifiy-
four miles from north to south. and
and about the same from east 10 west,
f.376 square miles, the county has a di-
versified topography. In tile extreme
east are large PLAINS; then asystem OF
mountain ranges. running from north
20 south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Gaballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about oRe-third of the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains, inter
rupted here aud there by prominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
1esternmost 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 few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio Gi!a, all streams
aow southeast, into the Rio Grande
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
ElevatiCns,ln the northern part Of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 AlamOsal. 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, to S,O4I Nell's Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1000 Rio
Grande above Rinconl, to 1859 [aboye
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughl, Il
l94 [Berrenda springl, to 1874 [Hen
bricks Peak. Ga the east side of the
RIO Grande, the plains gradually des
cend from 4,730 below Lava station,
20 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 can be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt Asa proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins well may be men
toned. The AtchisOn, Topeka 81 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 northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connect the country across
The Rio Grande. starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairyiew and Grafton, Or in the south
.rom Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
Kingston, aarcha City and HerLnosa
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 Gila, on the
west side Of the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek. having 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 lover valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin and
the same general course.
Bio Percha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The countyis we'll divided into the
valley. mesa and mountain land em-
bracing considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afiuents afford
room enough todo SO, agricultural pur
quits 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
ore centered 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
tEiet is Chloride; in Chloride gulch