The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1896-07-31
Sierra County.

central New Mexico. being bounded Oh
the north and east by SOcOrrO county
out of which it was mainly taken);
ca 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 Tor
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is Che western limit. II not
very large in extent, averaging hlty-
four miles from north to south, anu
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 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 bIacA
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
wegternmost portion. Slipping, rot
only from north TO south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, tue
drainage is well defined. With the eX-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which low
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
the plains.
Elevations,i jim the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fests Ferry
20 5,l77 Alamosal, G,54O lCanada Ala
mOsaI, to sos Nelrs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 LRio
Grande, above RincOnh tO4,6S0 Labove
Mutt station, 1924 [Hillsboroughb L
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 lHen-
bricks Peak. On the east side Of the
RIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,72O below Lava stationL,
20 1912 feet above Grama, in a distance
Of forty-elghJ miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country. and that water can be obtain
ed bysinking 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 Atchison Topeka santa
lie 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 e n%ortherly
branch Of - miles.
Stage lines GOnnectthe 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 CuchilI0 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, AIamosa creek, having a south
easterly course, with Alamosa tMonti-
oeliol The principal. town.
Rio CucniIio 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 Eer valley.
Rio P&l0mas, Rio SecO and Rio Ami -
mas creeks are Of the same origin and
she sam general course.
Rio PerCha waters, with several
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
mesa and mountain land EN-
Dracing Il considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
IS followed wherever openings in the
valleys Of the different aflueuts afford
toom enough TODD so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well Watered. the pasturage
iauGs are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
IRE centered 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 ;
.riet is Chloride: in Chloride gulch s
Dry creek, Mineral creek, Bear creek, s
md CFbnrg gfIynV l.,r,.,- ,,n, o.oa q