The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1897-04-02
Sierra County.

Taken FROM Statistics Compiled oy the
3ureau Of Immigration).
Sierra county is situated in south
central New Mexico. being bounded On
me north and east by Sgcorro county
out OF which it WIS mainly takenl;
on the south by Dpna Ana county ana
On tie west by rant and SocOrro conn'
ties. The principal meridian OF New
Mexico forms IT'S eastern boundary for
IS miles. The summit of the Black
Range is the western limit. Ii not
very large in extent, averaging hfty-
sour miles from north to south. ana
and about the same from east TO. west,
e.378 square miles, the county has a d.
versided topography. In the extreme
east are large plains; then asystem Oh
mountain ranges, running from. north
to south, along the east bank OF the
BIO Grande Sierra Fa Cristobal ana
Caballo) aud at their western base d a
river. leaving about one-third of the
area of the county on the eastern
hank. 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. Sloplng, 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, i'll the utter
most north west corner, which now
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
she plains.
Eleyations,5 n the northern part OF the
county, vary from 1884 (Fest's Ferry
to 5,l77 Alamosal, 6,540 canada Ala
m,sal, to 8,0l5 N3.ps Pass, from thu
Rio Graude, to the western boundary
in the northern part from 1900 lRio
Grande, above RinconL, to4,6S9 laboVe
Mutt stationL 1924 [Hillsboroughb .
494 [Berrenda spring., to 1914 lien
bricks Peakl. On the east side of the
RIO Grande, the plains gradually des-
cend from 4.720 [below Lava stationl ],
to 1872 feet above Grama, in a distance
OF forty.ei gh miles. There are springs
scattered over this eastern part OF the
country, and that water can be ooeaih'
ed by sinking tubular wells, there Is III
doubt. AS IA proof that water EXISTS
the railroad well, at Upham station
formerly Martins WE'LL may be men
toned. The Atchison, Topeka u Santa
Fe road runs through the entire lengti
of this part of the country, skirting i
also around its southern limits, ant
making connection, at Mutt station
with Lake Valley, by a northerl!
branch Of IS miles.
Stage lines connectthe country acros
the Rio Grande, starting from Eng'
station, to Cuchillo Negro, Chloride
Fairview and Grafton, or in the souI'
from Lake Valley to H~llsborougL
Kingston, Pearcha City and hermos
which latter, also, can be reached iron
Engle, via Cuchillo Negro.
The western part of the county
we'll watered by creeks and streams
In the northwest corner, eight or min
creeks empty into. the ella, on tn
west side Of the Black Range. On tn
east side are, heading in the Blac
Range, Alamosa creek, having a sout
easterly course, with Alamosa Mont
cellol the principal town.
Rio Cuchillo Negro; its upper cours
is formed by Poverty, Pine, Bear, Mine
al, Dry and Chloride creeks and Sout
Fork. There are, in the Range, tn
following towns: Grafton, FairvieV
Chloride and HermOsa. Cuchll!o M
gro is in the lover valley.
Rio Palomas, Rio Seco and Rio An
mas creeks are of the same origin an
She same general course.
Rio Percha waters, with sever
heads, Percha City, Kingston and Hi
borough.
The county is well divided into I'll
valley, mesa and mountain land en-
bracing a considerable section of I'll
Rio rande valley, where a%gricultuI
il followed; wherever openings in tt
valleys Of the different afiuents atfol
room enough TODD SO, agricultural pu
quits are followed.
Being we'll watered, the pasturat
lands are fully available. and the sto(
aterests are in good condition.
The main interests of Sierra count
are conferred in the mines.
Tho nrincipal mining districts ar