The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-03-19
Sierra County,

NIAktn from STATISTICS ALAAaAAN-A ~ ~
1ureau of Immigration.
Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded Oh
the north and east by SJcOrrO county
out OF whica it Vas mainly taken)
on the south by Dena Ana county and
on the west by rant aad SocOrrO coun-
ties. The principal meridian of New
MsxicO forms its eastern boundary FOR
50 miles. Tne summit Of the Black
Range is the western limit. Ii not
very large in extent, averaging hity-
four miles from north 10 south, and
and about the sane from east to west,
1916 square niles, the county has a d.
yersiied topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem oil
mountain ranges, running from north
to south, along the east bank or The
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Gristobal 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 bills Of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies The
westernmost portion. Slipping, not
only from north 10 south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ception of q few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which flow
westward into the Rio Gi'a, alistream5
dow southeast, Into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, are worn deep into
the plains.
Elevations,i.in the northern part of the
county, vary from 1884 (Fest's Ferry
60 5,l77 AlamoSal, 6,540 canada Ala.
m)sal, to 1915 NeIps Pass, from tn e
Rio Graude, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, aboye Rinconb, to 1850 [abOve
Mutt ~stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughb l.
494 [Berrenda sprlngl, to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. Ga the east side of the
BIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4,72O below Lava stationL
to 1912 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 bysiuking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. As a proof that water exists,
the railroad well, 1T Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The AtchisOn, Topeka &Santa
Ee road runs through the entire length
OF this part of the country, skirting it
also around It's southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connect the country across
the Rio Cyanide, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha City sand Hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
EnRle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part of the county Is
well watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or nint
creeks empty into the ella, on The
west side of the Black Range. On The
east side are, heading in the Blacl
Range, Alamosa creek, having a soutl
easterly course, with Alamos& Mont
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; It's upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Minel
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and South
Fork. There are, in the Range, tht
following towns: Grafton, Fairyiew
Chloride aud Hermosa. CuoAillo Ne
gro is in the lo yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are Of the same origin anl
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with soyera
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hill:
boroaEh.
The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land EN-.
bracing a considerable section Of tn,
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in tn,
valleys Of the different ailments afford
room enough % do 50, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well Watered, the pasturagt
lands 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, CuChlllo Negro,
I'Irn-Fnp F,nra, Agl 4 yipnaC IIilIg