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Most Utah history books concentrate on Mormon stories, rooted in the role of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in settling the state.

But there are other stories about Utah involving different religions, ethnic groups, business leaders, athletes and artists.

Eileen Hallet Stone examines many of those "other" Beehive State characters in her latest book, "Historic Tales of Utah," published by Arcadia Publishing & The History Press.

The 208-page book is filled with stories about the outlaws, mining towns, immigrants, mountain men, union agitators, store owners, businessmen and wartime heroes who are part of Utah's fabric.

Stone, a New England transplant who writes a living-history column for The Salt Lake Tribune, has a knack for digging up unusual tales about her adopted state.

"I love stories," she said. "I love to know what is what. I am a who, what, where, why and when gal. I love learning about the stories of Utah and how we are connected."

In her second history book, Stone writes about women outlaws, an African-American mountain man, entrepreneurs such as the Auerbach family, Jewish leaders, women suffragettes, striking miners, Japanese internment, baseball in mining towns and even the time when the Marx brothers performed "A Night at the Opera" live in Salt Lake City.

"Knowing that so many people contributed to this state is awe-inspiring," said Stone, who considers herself a writer first and a historian second. "You find out that bars are not just for liquor, but are gathering places. The Italians had restaurants. Everyone has a place in Utah, no matter where we are from."

Stone said that while all the stories interested her, she always held a special interest with the American West and its outlaws. That is why the story of the Bassett women in eastern Utah fascinated her so much.

"You think of men being rustlers, strong and wild and elusive," she said. "You look at the Bassett women at Brown's Park. They were so strong and smart. Sometimes they were mad in a way that symbolized the West. It was the madness of survival."

Stories about Utah women make up a large part of Stone's book. In addition to the Bassetts, she weaves tales of a midwife, working women fighting for their rights, suffragettes who went to Washington from Utah, a woman named Maud Fitch who drove an ambulance in France during World War I and actress Maude Adams.

"There was real suffrage in Utah," said Stone. "There were women from here who went to Washington, D.C., to picket at a time when it was dangerous to picket. They had the independent mind to do it and their family was supportive of them."

The book's numerous chapters reflect that many of the stories were taken from Stone's Tribune columns, where she is allowed only 650 words to tell a story.

That fact makes the book an easy read, because Stone must tell the story succinctly.

The author said she researches her stories in different ways, gathering as much information as she can. Her favorite is to hear a story come from a live conversation with someone who knows or is related to the people whose stories she tells.

She also loves to examine old photographs and page through old newspapers. Stone is surprised at how many people call her with a story.

"Every place you go is like a gold mine," she said. "There are so many stories. I knew about Bingham Canyon, but I didn't know about it. I started talking to people about how many ethnicities there were. It was a melting pot. You learn about the life of the miner, hardships, unions and strikes. You think about Utah, which is a right-to-work state, but there were a lot of unions. There are stories of people struggling to get paid enough, of doctors, medical care and insurance. It's an eye opener."

Stone said some of Utah's tales and stories are complex, especially dealing with mines and railroads.

"I like to understand as much as I can," she said. "It motivates me. I am insatiable. I want to know more, but have my own life. I also like writing that is visual. I love stories and words where readers can read and see pictures in their mind. Words are so important."

Twitter: @tribtomwharton —

"Historic Tales of Utah"

By Eileen Hallet Stone

Arcadia Publishing & The History Press

208 pages

$21.99