The Henry Clay Frick ghost story might be related to the idea that his spirit lingers in a place he was closely associated with. It could be that his strong personality and the events that took place during his life left an imprint that some believe manifests as a ghost. For example, if there were any controversial actions he took during his business dealings, perhaps the energy from that is said to haunt a particular building or area. However, without more specific information, it's all speculation.
Henry Clay was an important figure in American history. He was born in 1777. He played a significant role in American politics. He was known as 'The Great Compromiser'. He worked on several important compromises, like the Missouri Compromise, which helped to keep the balance between the slave and free states in the Union.
Henry Clay was involved in the Compromise of 1850. This was a set of laws passed to deal with the issue of slavery and the territory acquired from Mexico. Earlier in his career, his work in Congress was notable for his ability to bring together different factions. His leadership in promoting economic development through the American System also stands out as an important part of his life story. He was constantly in the middle of the political debates of his time, trying to find solutions that would keep the nation together.
In a 'cold as clay ghost story', 'cold as clay' could be a metaphorical description. Clay is often associated with the earth and the dead. So, a ghost story being 'cold as clay' might suggest that it has a certain deathly or frigid quality. The story could involve a ghost that makes the environment or the people in it feel as cold as if they were touching clay. It might also imply that the events in the story are as unchanging and cold as clay, perhaps the ghost is stuck in a certain state or the events keep repeating in a cold, unfeeling way.
Imagine a coastal town with an old lighthouse. There was a legend that a sailor who died in a storm still haunted the lighthouse. One stormy night, a group of teenagers decided to explore the lighthouse. As they climbed the stairs, they felt a coldness that was like touching clay. Then, they saw a shadowy figure of the sailor. The wind howled outside, and the cold from the ghost made them feel as if they were surrounded by cold clay. The ghost seemed to be reliving his last moments, and the coldness was a sign of his otherworldly presence. This is an example of a 'cold as clay ghost story'.
I'm not sure which specific 'Henry Croft ghost story' you are referring to. There could be many stories related to a person named Henry Croft that involve ghosts. Maybe it's a local legend or a story from a particular collection. Without more details, it's difficult to tell the exact story.
Henry James' governess ghost stories are often characterized by their psychological depth. The governess in his stories usually experiences a great deal of internal turmoil. For example, in 'The Turn of the Screw', the governess believes she sees ghosts, but it's left ambiguous whether the ghosts are real or just a product of her over - active imagination. This ambiguity adds to the overall sense of unease and mystery in the story.
The ambiguity in Henry James' ghost stories is notable. He doesn't always clearly define whether the hauntings are real or just figments of the characters' imaginations. This leaves the readers to interpret and wonder. It also adds to the overall sense of unease as readers are constantly questioning what is truly happening.
Not knowing the exact Henry Croft ghost story makes it tricky to list the main elements. But typically, in a ghost story, there could be a sense of fear or unease that pervades the narrative. If Henry Croft was a real person, his personality or actions during his life might be relevant in the story. Maybe he had some unfinished business that keeps his spirit lingering. Also, the setting of the story, whether it's an old mansion, a graveyard, or some other spooky place, would likely play an important role.