The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-02-26
Sierra County.

central New Mexico, being bounded on
the north and east by SocorrO county
cut OF which it was mainly taken) F.;
an the south By Dona Ana county and
cu the west by rant aud SocorrO cOun-
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. If 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-
Yersiie1 topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem Of
mountain ranges, running from north
to south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristob&l and
UaballO) and at their western base that
river, leaving about one,third of the
area Of the county on the eastern
Gank. On the west side plains, utter
rupted here and there by pr0minencea
extend to the foot hills Of the Black
range for from twenty 20 thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmOst portion. Sleeping. not
only from north TO south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, The
drainage is well defined. With the ex-
ceptiou of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest 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 1854 Nest's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamo3al, 654D canada Ala
mls4l, to S,Dtj NBlp5 Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
In the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 4,Gs0 [ab0ve
Mutt stationl 5,224 [lliIl5torouGhl, l.
t94 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 LtIen-
bricks Peak. On the east side Of the
BIO Grande, the plains gradually des
cend from APO Loelow Lava slationb
to 4.342 feet above Grama, in a distance
Of forty-elght miles. Thele 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,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may he mel-
toned. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
of this part of the country, sklrting 1t
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt staten,
With Lake Valley, by a northarty
branch Of 10 miles.
Stage lines c~onnectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Eng e.
citation, to CncAlllo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, ora the south
from Lake Valley to ulisborouah,
Kingston, Pelrchl CITY and Eermosa
which Latter, also. can De reached from
Engle, via ClohlllO Negro.
" The western part OF the county is
well watered by creeks and streams.
In the northwest corner, eight or nine
creeks EN- )ty into the Gala, on the
west side Of the Black Range. On the
east side are, heading in the Black
Range, Alamosa creek, having Il south
5ssterly course, with Alamosa [Monti-
cellol the principal town.
Rio CuchiIlo 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 anG IIermOsa. Cuchillo Ne.
gro is in the 10 yer valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are Of the same origin and
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with several
beads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The countyi5 well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land emu
bracing a considerable section of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed; wherever openings in the
valleys of the different ailments afford
coom enough TODD so, agricultural pur
-