The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-02-14
Sierra County.

central New Mexico, being bounded on
the north and east 10y SOcorro county
out of which it was mainly taken);
on the south by Dona Ana county ana
on the west by rant and Socorro coun'
ties. The principal meridian Of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary ior
4S miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If not
very large in extent, averaging htty-
four miles from north to south, ana
and about the same from east 10 wes''
2,376 square miles, the county has a al
versifed topography. In the extreme
EAST are large plains; then asysteih Oh
mountain ranges, running from horth
TO south, along the east bank Oh the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa CristoOal ana
Caballo) and at their western base thSl
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 prominehces
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty mics
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 north west corner, when no"
westward into the Rio Gi!a, all streams
flow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep lh'o
The plains.
Elevations, lin the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fests Ferry|
10 5,l77 Alanosal, 6,5p canada Ala
ms,l, to S,)G Nslps Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,OCO lhlo
Grande, above Rincon], to 1850 labove
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsborough. l.
4o4 lBerrenda spring., to 1874 liien-
drick's Peak. On the east side OIL the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava statlohI'
to 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
-.sakn
doubt. AS IA proof that water EXISTS
She railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
TONED. The AtchisoD, Topeka x Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, sklrtlhg II
also around its southern limits, ana
making connection. at Mutt statlon'
with Lake Valley, by a northerIy
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engie
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
From Lake Valley to, Hillsborough,
Kingston, PearCha City and hermosa
whichlatter, 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 south
easterly course, with Alamosa lMonti-
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuuhill0 Negro; it's upper course
Is formed by Poverty. Pine, Bear, Miner
al. Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following owns: Grafton, FalrVlew,
Chloride and HermQsa. Cuchillo Ne
gro is in the 10 Eer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Sero 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 em-
bracing II considerable section OF the
Rio rAnde valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in The
valleys of the different afiGents afford
room enough todo 81, 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 conferred in the mines. !.
The principal mining districts are:
Apache, Black Range, Cuchlllo Negro,
Kingston, Herfnosa, Animas, Hills