The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-11-20
Sierra County.

Taken From tatstics Compiled Dy the
Eureeu Of Immigreton).
Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by SOcorrO county
out OF which 1t was mainly taken);
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on the west by rant aud SocorrO cOun-
ties. The principal merllian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit, Ii not
very large in extent, averaging iifty-
four miles from north to south, and
and about the same from east TO west,
2.376 square miles, the county has a dl-
versitied topography. In the extreme
cast are large PLAINS; then q system Of
mountain ranges, running from north
TO south, along the east bank Of the
Rio Graude 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 prominenees
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty TO thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmOst portion. Sl0ping' not
only from north TO south, bat also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the eX-
ceptiou of a few creeks, in the utter
most north west 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 worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations, in the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal, 6,540 Canada Ala
m)sal, to S,045 N3tr, Pass, from the
Rio Grandp, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,0G0 Rio
Grande, above Rinconl, to4,6S9 [above
Mutt stationI, 1924 [EIillsboronghb l.
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 liien-
drick's PGakl. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO below Lava stationl,
to 1912 feet above Grama, in assistance
Of fOrty-etght 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 II proof that water exists,
the railroad well, 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, skirting ii
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch of 13 miles.
Stage lines connectth country across
the Rio Grande. starting from Englt
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride
FalrView and Grafton, or i'll the south
from Lake Valley to IIillSborough
Kingston, Peatcha City and lierm0sa
which latter, also, can be reached frou
Engle, via Cuehillo Negro,
The western part Of the county i;
well watered by creeks and streams
IN the northwest corner, eight or nine
creeks empty into the ella, on thu
vest side Of the Black Range. On The
east side are, heading in the Blacf
Range, AIamo5a creek, having a soutl
easterly course, with AlamOsa MONT
cellol the principal town.
Rio .Cuchi!io Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Minel
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and Soutl
Fork. There arc, in the Range, tht
following towns: Grafton, Fairyiew
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 anC
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with seVera
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hill'
borough.
The countyis well divided into thI
valley, mesa and mountain land em
Dracing Il considerable section oftht
Bio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed wherever openings in tn,
valleys of the different ~anlueDts aff0rt
room enough TODD 50, agricultural pur
guit5 are followed.
Bang well WaCered, the pasturag,
lands are fully available, and the stool
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra count,
are centered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are