The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-05-14
Sierra County.

9lANee AohAoNOhls
Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico, being bounded Oh
The north and east by. Socorro county
out OF which it was mainly taken)
on the south by Dona Ana county and
on 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
tour miles from north to south. and
and about the same from east TO west,
1876 square miles, the county has a d.
7ersiaed 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 Cristobal 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
fupted here and there by p~rominences
extend to the foot hills of the Black
range 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 we'll defined. With the ex-
ceptiou of a few creeks, in the utter
most northwest corner, which How
westward into the Rio ella, all streams
aow southeast, into the Rio Grande.
The beds of these streams, approach
Ing their mouths, are worn deep into
The plains.
Elevations,-int the northern part of the
county, vary from 1,4S4 (Fest'S Ferry
20 BIT Alamosal. $50 canada Ala
mosal, to S,O45 NelIs Pass, from the
Rio Grande, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 4,Oc0 Trio
Grande, above Rinconl, to 1859 Laboye
Mutt station 1924 [Hillsboroughl, l.
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1874 Hen
bricks Peak. On the east side of the
Rio Grande, the plains gradually des-
dend from 1920 [below Lava stationl,
70 1892 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,
Che railroad well, at Upham station,
formerly Martins we'll may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka &Santa
Ee road UNI through the entire length
Of this part of the country, skirting it
also around its southern limits, and
making connection, at Mutt station,
with Lake Valley, by a norther'y
branch of 10 miles.
Stage lines connectthe country across
the Rio Grande, starting from Engle
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride,
Fairview and Grafton, or in the south
from Lake Valley to Hillsborough,
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermosa
which latter, also, can be reached from
Engle, via CUchillo 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 AIamo3a Month
ceIlol 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, Fairyiew,
Chloride and IIermosa. Cuchillo Ne.
gro is in the lover valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio SecO and Rio Ami
mas creeks are of the same origin ant
the same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with severa
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hill
borough.
The county is well divided into th,
valley, mesa and mountain land EN-
bracing a considerable section of tn
Rio rahde valley, where agricultur
is followed; wherever openings in th
valleys of the different ailments affor
room enough to do 50, agricultural pul
quits are followed.
Being well watered, the pasturag
lands are fully available. and the stoc
interests are in good condition.
The main interests Of Sierra count
sre conferred in the mines.
1.-THE principal mining districts are
Anacha- Rlnck RANCE CnchlllO Negrl