Alleged mother of W.C. Fields' alleged son

International News Photos (New York, N.Y.) · April 28, 1949

Ex-follies girl Elizabeth Chatterton, also known as Bessie Poole, whose deathbed letter naming the late comedian w.c. fields as father of her son has been filed in Los Angeles county superior court. the missive was entered with a deposition in support of the claim of William R.F. Morris for a son's share in the 800,000 estate left by fields, who died dec. 25,1946. the deposition was taken April 16 from Mrs. Bessie Adelide Witherell of onset, Mass., who identified herself as mother of miss Poole. she said that her daughter, who died oct. 8,1928, at the age of 33 , had written the letter telling of the child's existence just before her death from injuries received during a brawl in a new York city night spot owned by tommy Guinan, brother of the well-known "Texas" Guinan.