south to the Torreones of the Serrito de la Tijera and the Serro of the Perdenal Spring to a point near the Bernalillo County line; thence west to the Cibolo Spring and to the Spring of Juan Tafoya; thence north to the Puertocito of San Ysidro la Cuchilla, Sinana, Alamitos, and La Sama which is on the Mesa of Juana Lopez, to the Rio Arriba County line.35

Sierra County was organized April 3, 1884 from parts of Socorro, Grant, and Doña Ana Counties.36

San Juan County was created February 24, 1887 out of the western part of Rio Arriba County.37

Doña Ana County was slightly enlarged February 24, 1887, by the addition of parts of Township 18 South, Ranges 3 and 4 West. After the organization of Sierra County this area although surrounded by Sierra and Doña Ana counties yet remained a part of Socorro County. It was to remedy this situation that the region was attached to Doña Ana County.38

The eastern boundary of Doña Ana County was changed February 24, 1887. The new line ran from the northeastern corner of Doña Ana County north to the Second Parallel South; thence west to the eastern boundary of Socorro County; thence south to the northern boundary of Doña Ana County.39

The Mora County and San Miguel County boundary was changed February 12, 1889. The new line ran west from a point five hundred yards north of the house of Leandro Sanchez at Peña Blanca to the eastern boundary of Santa Fé County, and east from the said point to the fall and source of the Arroyo de la Jara, thence to the junction of the arroyo with the Sapello, thence following down the river to the old government bridge or crossing over the El Sapellocito; thence to the Pinos Altos, leaving all the

settlements, on both sides of the Mora River and within the valley of the said river, in Mora County; thence east to the Texas line.1o

The Doña Ana County and the Lincoln County boundary was changed February 12, 1889. The new line ran from a point on the Second Parallel South between Ranges 10 and 11 East; thence south to the township line between Townships 12 and 13 South; thence east to a point due north of a point where the range line between Ranges 12 and 13 South of the Fourth Standard Parallel "line" between Townships 25 and 26 South; thence due south to the intersection of said range and along it to the Texas boundary.41

Chaves County and Eddy County were created February 25, 1889, from the eastern part of Lincoln County. All of Lincoln County east of the following line was cut off. The line started at the northern border of Lincoln County between Ranges 19 and 20 East, ran south to the First Standard Parallel; thence directly south between Ranges 20 and 21 East to the Third Standard Parallel; thence east to a point where the range line south of the Third Standard Parallel between Ranges 21 and 22 strikes the same; thence due south to the Texas boundary. That part of this area cut off from Lincoln lying south of the Third Standard Parallel was called Eddy, and the part north Chaves.42

The boundaries of Santa Fé County were redefined and changed February 28, 1889. The lines were described by range and township lines and the southern boundary was extended to the boundary of Valencia County thus including a row of townships formerly a part of Bernalillo County. These lands were restored to Bernalillo County February 25, 1891. The eastern line of Bernalillo County ran between Ranges 6 and 7 East, to the northwest corner of the Mesita de Juan Lopez grant; thence east to the said

40 New Mexico. Session Laws, 1889, p. 89.

41 Ibid., p. 92.

12 New Mexico. Session Laws, 1889, p. 202.

corner; thence north one mile; thence west to the above mentioned range line.13

Guadalupe County was created February 26, 1891 from the southern part of San Miguel County. It was bounded on the east by the Texas line, on the north by San Miguel County, on the south by Chaves and Lincoln counties, and on the west by a line running from the northeast corner of Township 11 North, Range 16 East, thence south between Ranges 15 and 16 East, to the southeast corner of Township 9 North; thence east between Townships 8 and 9 North to the northeast corner of Township 8 North of Range 18 East; thence south on line between Ranges 18 and 19 East to the northeast corner of Township 1 North of Range 18 East. Due to some mistakes in the wording of the act it was re-enacted February 11, 1893.**

The northern and western boundaries of Lincoln County were changed February 13, 1893. The boundary between Lincoln County and Valencia County was fixed on the township line between Townships 1 and 2 North. The boundary between Lincoln County and Socorro County was defined as running between Ranges 8 and 9 East.45

Union County was organized February 23, 1893 from the eastern part of San Miguel, Mora and Colfax counties. This act was amended February 28, 1895 in order to correct the wording in the original act.46

The western boundary of Eddy County was changed January 16, 1895. The new line ran from the northwest corner of Township 16 South of Range 21 East, thence south between Ranges 20 and 21 East to the Texas line.47

The eastern and the northern boundaries of Bernalillo County were changed February 28, 1895. The new lines

43Ibid., p. 301; New Mexico. Session Laws, 1891, p. 106. See Map No. 6.

44 New Mexico. Session Laws, 1891, p. 175; New Mexico. Session Laws, 1893, p. 32.

45 New Mexico. Session Laws, 1893, p. 36.

46 Ibid., p. 68; New Mexico. Session Laws, 1895, p. 43. 47 Ibid., p. 42. See Map No. 7.

No. 6-New Mexico Counties in 1890

ran north from the point where the northern boundary of Bernalillo County met the western line of Santa Fé County; thence north to the northwestern corner of Santa Fé County; thence west on the Fifth Standard Parallel to the New Mexico Principal Meridian; thence north to the southeastern corner of Township 24 North of Range 1 West; thence west on the township line between Townships 23 and 24 North; thence to the boundary of San Juan County; and thence west as established by law.48

48 New Mexico. Session Laws, 1895, p. 41.

No. 7-New Mexico Counties in 1895

The western boundary of Guadalupe County was changed February 13, 1897. The new line ran from the corner of Townships 11 and 12 North between Ranges 15 and 16 East; thence south between Ranges 15 and 16 East to the northern boundary of Valencia County; thence east along the northern boundary of Valencia County to the range line between Ranges 18 and 19 East; thence south along the range line to the northeastern corner of Township 1 North of Range 18 East.49

49 New Mexico. Session Laws, 1897, p. 22.