The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-09-04
Sierra County,

Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by Socorro county
out of which it was mainly takenli
on The south by DOna Ana county and
on the west by rant and Socorro coun-
ties. 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 hfty-
four miles from north to south, and
and about the same from east to west,
2,S76 square miles, the county has a d.
versifed topography. In the extreme
east are large PLAINS; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
TO south, along the east bank OF h
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 How
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep INFO
the plains.
Elevations, lin the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1884 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal, 6,54O canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 Nells Pass. from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,0CO lKlo
Grande, above Rinconl to 1859 laboVe
Mutt station, 1924 [HillsboroughI, .
994 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 lhen-
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from ALTO [below Lava statlonb
TO 1872 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-elght miles. There are springs
scattered oyer 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 we'll, at Upham station,
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
tioned. The Atchison, Topeka &Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, skirtlng 1t
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a lortherly
branch of IL miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to. Hlllsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha City and Hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part of the county is
we'll watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or nine
greeks 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 a south
easterly course, with Alamosa MONT
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 10 wer 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 county is we'll 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 atfluents afford
goom enough odo SO, agricultural pur
quits are followed.
Being we'll Watered, the ~pasturage
lands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are 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