The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-04-24
Sierra County.


central New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by SOcorro county
out OF which it was mainly taken);
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, ayfaRing fifty
four miles from north 10 south. and
and about the same from east TO west,
2,S7e square miles, the county has a d.
versifed 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 we'll defined. With the ex-
Ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
Cow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams. approach
ing their mouths, are worm deep into
the plains.
Elevations, n the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 Fests Ferry
10 5,l77 Alamosal, $40 canada Ala
mIssl, TO S,)t5 NeIPa Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,0c0 Trio
Grande, aboye Rinconl to 1859 [aboye
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughb Il
494 [Berrenda spring., TO 1874 [Hen-
bricks Peak. On the east side OF the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [belOw Lava stationb
to 4,942 feet above Grama, in a distance
OF forty eight 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 WE'LL may be men-
TONED. The AtchisoD, 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 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchlllo Negro, Chloride,
Falrview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley TO, H~illsborough,
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
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 [Monti-
cellol the principalstown.
Rio Cuchiilo Negro; its upper curse
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and Sonth
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns: Grafton, Fairview,
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuehillo 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 several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
~ followed wherever openings in the
valleys of the different afluents afford
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur
suits 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
are centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache. Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
borough, Percha aud Lake Valley.
THE center Of Apache mining dis