The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-06-04
Sierra County.

lI9ktu from EtalA1tNs
Bureau OF I~mmigrationl.
Sierra county is situated In south
central New Mexico, being bounded On
the north and east by SOcorro county
ont OF which it Was mainly takenli
ON the south by Dona Ana county ana
on the west by rant and Socorro couh
ties. The principal meridian of New
Mexico forms its eastern boundary LOT
Is miles. The summit of the BLACK
Range is the western limit. III not
very large in extent, averaging htty-
four miles from north to south, ana
and about the same from east to west,
a.376 square miles, the county has a d.
Versifed topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem OF
mountain ranges, running from north
tn south. along the east bank of the
Rio Grande Sierra Fa Cristo6al ana
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 hills of the Black
range for from twenty to thirty miles
while finally that range occupies the
westernmost portion. Sloping' 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 HOW
westward into the Rio Gila.a all streams
aow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
ing their mouths, arc worn deep into
The plains.
Elevations, in the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1884 (Fest's Ferry
TO 6,177 Alamosal, G,54O canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 NelP5 Pass, from tn
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,0Co Trio
Grande, above Rinconl to 1859 Labove
Mutt stationl 1924 [HillsborOugh l.
1914 [Berreuda springl, to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
cendfrom APO [below Lava stationl,
TO 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 be obtain
ed by sinking tubular wells, there is no
doubt. AS a proof that water exists,
She railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka &Santa
Fe road runs through the entire length
Of this part of the country, skirting II
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northerly
branch Of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engit
station, to Cuchillo Negro. Chloride
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermQsa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via CuGhillo 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
e&sterly course, with Alarnosa MONT,
cello] the principal town.
Rio, Cuchillo 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 aud Hermo3a. CuchillO Ne
gro is in the lower valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio SocO 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 county, 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 Of the different ailments afford
room enough TODD so, agricultural pur
suits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturage
lands are fully available, and the stock
interests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra county
are Centeted in the mines.
The principal mining districts are.