The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-07-03
Sierra County.

CENTRAL new al utliB DOuttucN VI
the north and east by S1cOrrO county
out of which it was mainly taken;
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on the westby rant aud SOcorro coun-
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
as miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. II not
very large in extent, averaging fifty
four miles from north TO south, and
and about the same from east TO west,
2,376 square miles, the county has a di-
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 p~rOminences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to 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 flow
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
dow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
Che plains.
Elevations,E n the northern part of the
county, vary from 1884 (FesL's Ferry
to SIT Alamosal, G,540 canada Ala
mosal, to S,045 Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
IN the northern part from 1900 Trio
Grande. above RincOnl, to 1859 [above
Mutt stationl, 5,224 [HillsborOughl, l.
494 [Berrenda springl to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east Side of the
RIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 1920 below Lava stationl,
TO 1872 feet above Grama, in q 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,
Che railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be e
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 %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, HillsborOugh.
Kingston, Pearcha CITY and Hermosa
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 ella, on the
west side of the Black Range. On The
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek, having a soutf
easterly course, with Alamosa MONT
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mine,
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and Soutl
Fork. There are, in the Range, th'
following towns: Grafton, Fairview
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Ner valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin an(
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
. 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 tht
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in The
valleys of the different atfiuents affort
oom enough TODD so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well Watered, the pasturagt
Lands are fully available. and the stocl
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are conferred in the mines.
The principal mining districts are
Apache. Black Range, CuchIllo Negro
Kingston, Hermosa, Animas, Hills
Borough, Percha and Lake Valley.
The center Of Apache mining dis
trict is Chloride; in Chloride gulch
Dry creek, Mineral creek, Bear creek