Some stories that deal with apparitions of historical figures could be among the most interesting. In such stories, the connection between the past and the ghostly presence can add a lot of depth and mystery. For example, if there is a story about a ghost of a long - dead nobleman in a castle, the historical context of the nobleman's life and the castle's history can make the story very fascinating.
I'm not sure specifically which are the most interesting as I haven't read all of them. But perhaps the ones that involve well - known locations might be really engaging.
William T Stead was known for his work in journalism. He might have been inspired to write 'real ghost stories' by the many tales he heard during his life. Maybe he encountered people who claimed to have had real encounters with the supernatural, and these stories sparked his creativity. Also, the general fascination with the unknown during his time could have led him to explore the world of ghosts and write about them.
One interesting ghost story could be about the apparition of a long - dead knight. Maybe it appears at midnight in an old castle, still wearing its tattered armor.
Shakespeare often used ghosts as a plot device. In 'Julius Caesar', Caesar's ghost appears to Brutus, which could be seen as a manifestation of Brutus' guilt and also as a sign of the chaos that follows Caesar's death. The appearance of the ghost adds a supernatural and foreboding element to the story.
There was a story where a family moved into a new place. Their kids started seeing a shadowy figure in the hallway at night. It turned out that the land used to be part of an old cemetery long ago. The presence might be related to the history of the place.
In Japan, there is the story of Okiku's well. A maid named Okiku was thrown into a well by her master after she refused his advances. People say that if you lean over the well and call her name, you can hear her counting the plates she was supposed to take care of before she died. Some claim to have felt a cold hand grabbing them when they got too close to the well. It's a very spooky and dangerous - feeling story as it involves the potential of being physically grabbed by a ghostly presence.
A real - life ghost story that sends shivers down the spine is that of the Myrtles Plantation in Louisiana. There are tales of ghosts of slaves and a young girl who was murdered there. Visitors have reported seeing apparitions, feeling cold hands on their shoulders, and hearing the sound of crying in the empty halls.
The story of the St. Augustine Lighthouse is really interesting. The team found that there were a lot of unexplained phenomena there. Lights were seen flickering in areas where there was no electrical source. They also had some personal experiences of being touched or having a sense of being watched, which made the investigation quite thrilling.
One of the well - known stories is 'The House on the Borderland'. It's famous for its blend of horror, the otherworldly, and a sense of impending doom. The vivid descriptions of strange creatures and the eerie setting make it stand out.
In '20 Ghost Stories', there could be a story where a person moves into a new house and starts experiencing strange noises and cold spots. It turns out to be the ghost of a former resident who died under mysterious circumstances. There might also be a tale of a ghost ship, with the crew still on board in spectral form, sailing the seas forever.
The psychological impact on the people involved is also interesting. Take the case of the Myrtles Plantation. The people who lived there reported feeling a great deal of unease and fear. Their experiences, whether real or imagined, show how our minds can be affected by the idea of the supernatural. It makes us wonder if there are forces beyond our understanding.