The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-07-02

fTaken From Statistics Compiled u the
Bureau of Immigra.icnl.
Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico. being bounded on
the north aud east b. Socorro county
oct OF which it was mainly takenli
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on the west by rant and Socorro coun
ties. The prineiRal meridian OF New
Mexico forms its err boundary for
Is miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. IL not
Yery large in extent, averaging nifty,
four miles from north to south, ana
ana about the same from east to Nest,
s.3T6 square miles, the county has q al
versihed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountsin ranges, running from north
TO south, along the east bank OF the
Rio Grande Sierra Fai Cristobal aho
Caballo) and at their western base that
river, leaving about %one-thlrd OF the
area of the county on the eastern
hank. On the west side plains, inter
ruuted here and there by prominences
axtend to the foot hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sloping, not
onlv from north to south, but also
from the northeast to southwest, the
drainage is well defined. With the eZ-
ception of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which no"
westward into the Bio ella all streams
iow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, w worn deep INTO
che plains.
Elevations,ii jim the northern part otthe
county, vary from 1874 (Eests Ferry
60 5,177 AlamOsal, 8,54O canada Ala
mosal, to 8,Of5 Nelra Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
In the northern part from 4,oc0 Lklo
Grande, aboye Rinconl, to 1850 Iaboye
Mutt stationl, SPA [Hillsboroughb q
b94 [Berrenda spring., to 7,674 lHen-
bricks PeakI. On the east side Of the
BIC Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from APO [below Lava 5tationb
TO 4.842 feet above Grama, in a distance
of forty-eight miles. There are springs
scattered V g this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can Oa OBTAIN
ed bysiuking 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 8 santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
Of this part of the country, sklItlng II
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch Of is miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
che Rio Grande. starting from Englt
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride
Fairyiew and Grafton, or in the soutf
from Lake Valley to H~illsborough
kingston, Pearcha CITY sand Hefmosf
which latter, also. al be reached from
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
TIE western part Of the county L
we'll Watered by creeks and streams
N the northwest corner. eight or MN
creeks empty into the ella. on tn
west side Of the Black Range. On tn
cast side are, heading in the Blaci
Range, Alamosa creek. having souti
oasterly course, with Alamosa lMontl
ceIo1 the principal town,
Rio,Cuchillo Negro; its upper course
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mine.
al. Dry and Chloride creeks and Soutl
Fork. There are, in the Range, tht
following towns; Grafton, Fairylew
Chloride and Hermosa. Cuehillo Ne
gro is in the lower valley.
Rio Pal0mas, Rio Seco and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin ant
The same general course.
Rio PorcEa waters, with severa
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hills
borough.
The county is well divided into the
valley, mesa and mountain land em
bracing a considerable section OF the
Rio ralde valley. where agriculture
is followed wherever openings in tht
valleys OF the different %afiuents affort
room enough TODD 50, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
BENG well waterod, the pasturagt
lands aro fully available, and the stool
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
ere C6ntered in the mines.
The principal mining districts are
Apache. Black Range, Cuchillo Negro