Irving County, which has disappeared from the map of Kansas, was created by the act of Feb. 27, 1860, and named in honor of Washington Irving. The territory included in the county was taken from Hunter, and it was bounded as follows: "Commencing at the point where the guide meridian crosses the 5th standard parallel, between ranges 8 and 9; thence due west 36 miles; thence due south 24 miles; thence due east to a point due south of the first named point; thence north to the place of beginning." The territory included within these boundaries now embraces the southern part of Butler county, the northern tier of Congressional townships of Cowley, a little of the southwest corner of Greenwood, and the northwest corner of Elk county.