Mrs. Stark remonstrated with Elizabeth Bowerman on the
incredibility of her story; but in spite of all admonition,
she persisted in asserting the truth of her statements,
repeated without variance the particulars of the case, and
pointed out the part near the ear where the perforation had
been made. On the prevalence of this report, in the month
of February, 1800, it was judged expedient by the parishioners
to consult the Coroner, who ordered the disinterment
of the body of Mary Gollop, and held an inquest, by whom
the skull was inspected, on which was found a small hole of
the size of an awl on the side of the head near the ear, in
the place that Elizabeth Bowerman had pointed out.
The Jury thereupon returned against Thomas Bowerman a verdict of Wilful Murder.
The circumstances of this case excited the attention of the late Mr. Sheldon, then living in Exeter. He obtained access to the skull, and on viewing it declared his opinion that the hole in the skull, supposed to have been made by an awl, was a natural perforation, and had not been effected by an awl or any other instrument; and as proofs of his position, he pointed out a small bed or channel leading from the hole, which he said was made by the passage of a vein, and a sort of enamel round the hole, which could not have been there if made by force or art. In further illustration of this truth, he produced a dozen or more human skulls having on them similar perforations variously situated, and each hole having a small channel, and the rim or edge of the hole smooth and polished.
Mr. Sheldon attended the Grand Jury at the said assizes on the investigation of this charge: before whom it is presumed he gave the same testimony. The Grand Jury returned "No Bill" against Thomas Bowerman for the murder of Mary Gollop.
Another question of forensic interest has arisen
upon this subject that requires some notice. Whether
