If the officer or other person whose duty it is to make a return dies, absconds, or moves from the state, or becomes insane after the writ is issued and before making a return, or after making an insufficient return, and it appears that there is no other officer or person from whom a sufficient return can be procured by means of a new writ, the court in its discretion may permit affidavits or other written proofs relative to the matters not sufficiently returned to be produced and may hear the case accordingly. The court also in its discretion may permit either party to produce affidavits or other written proofs relative to any alleged error of fact or any other question of fact which is essential to the jurisdiction of the body or officer to make the determination to be reviewed, when the facts in relation thereto are not stated sufficiently in the return and the court is satisfied that they cannot be made to appear by means of an order for a further return.