The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-04-09
Sierra County.

The north and east by SOcOrrO county
out OF which it was mainly takeu)
on the south by Dona Ana county and
On the west by rant and 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,
1876 suuare miles, the county has a di-
versifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
Co south, along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal and
Caballo) aud at their western base that
river, leaving about 0ne-third OF the
area of the county on the eastern
bank. On the west side plains. inter
rupted here aud there by prominences
extend to the foot hills Of the Black
tange for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Slipping, 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 CHA, all streams
dow 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 1881 (Fest5 Ferry
TO 5,l77'Alamo,al, $50 canada Ala
mDssl, To S,O6 NsIrs Pass, from TIT
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
In the northern part from 1000 Trio
Grande, above RinconI, to 1859 [above
Mutt stationl, 1924 [Hillsboroughl, ~
5e4 [Berrenda springl, to 1914 Hen
bricks Peak. Ga the east side Of the
EIo Grandp, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.72O below Lava s%tatiOn
60 1912 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 he obtain
ed by siukiug tubular wells, there IS no
doubt. AS Il proof that water exists,
the railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka & Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
81 this part Of the country, skirting it
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a northerIy
branch Of 10 miles.
Stage lines cOAnectth country across
the Rio Grdnde, starting from Eng,e
station, to CuchlllO Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or IN the south
from Lake Valley to HiIIsboroush,
Kingston, Pearcha City and liermOsa
which latter, also. can be reached from
Engle, via Cuohillo 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 MONT
cellol the principal town.
Rio CuchillO Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Miner
al, Dry and Chloride creeks aud South
Fork. There are, in the Range, the
following towns. Grafton, Fairyiew.
Chloride and Hermosa. CuchilIo 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
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The countyis well divided into the
valley. mesa and mountain land en-
bracing a considerable section Of the
Rio rande valley, where agriculture
is followed wherever openings in the
valleys CT the different ailments a4Dgd
YOom enough TODD 50, agricultural pur
quits are followed.
Being well waterel, the ~pasturage
kandS are fullv av.ilubIa and Ihp sinrk