Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-11-20
DESTROY
MARSHALL HOME
prospect Hill" Fire Nearly
Traps Son and Servants
of w. E. DoeIIer.
BY staff Correspondent of The Star.

BY staff Correspondent of The Star.
WARRENTON, Va, November 90
Four charred walls we're all that remain
today of Prospect HILL historic home
that Chief Justice Marshall built at
Orlean, near here, after fire early yes
terday had swept the structure and
menaced the lives of the household of
William E. Doeller. washington broker
and present owner.
The 100000 blaze nearly cost the
life of 9-year-old Billy Doeller, who
with several servants was forced to slide
down a rope hurriedly made OF sheets
to escape the flames. Mr.. and Mrs.
Doeller, who were in Washington at
Wales Club, near here, supervising the
workSef saiyage. and reconstruction.
started in Basement.
Tfae. fire IS believed to have started
from an oil burner in the center base
ment. Hans Stangl. the butler, first
discovered it shortly after o'clock.
He awakened the household. Fannie
Versino, a maid. was sleeping near
young Billy's room. Discovering that
they were trapped. she fashioned rope
of sheets and they slid through the
window to safety, However, Katherine
Lynch, chambermaid, lost her grip as
she started down the rope, fell and
severely injured an ankle and loot
Frank Phillips, kitchen boy, suffered
a dislocated shoulder, when he Jumped
from a window
across a field to the home Of Douglas
Gordon, tenant farmer, who reached
the scene in time to enter the blazing
house and save Mrs. Doeller's jewel
box Telephone connections had been
burned. and Stangl was forced TO drive
IL miles to Warrenton TO summon the
towns fire apparatus, and to call Mr..
Doener. The latter also called in the
winchester Fire Department, but the
flremen were hampered by an made
quate water supply.
The home that Chief Justice Marshall
built more than 100 years ago for his
oldest son was completely destroyed
Mr.. Doeller purchased it several years
ago and completely renovated 1t and
! made it one of the show places OF
Northern Virginia. Valuable furnish
ings for which the Doellers had made
two trips to Europe were also burned
Only a few clothes and Mrs. Doeller's
| Jewels were salvaged. 1t was said the
building was partially covered by in.
surance.
Young Billy added a touch of hunor
when he told inquirers story thai
varied from other versions of the fire
He was awakened by the smoke, he re-
lated, and subsequently saved the lives
| Of the servants.
| Il struck the butler on the head with
a pillow" said Billy in giving his glow.
| ing account, land told him that he hac
better get out if he didn't want to ge'
burned. Then l saw that the others
! got out"
Home Work Burned Up"
A student at the Stuyvesant Schoo
here. Billy was not too upset by the fire
to think of his studies. Yesterday hi
called a professor at the school ane
alphabetically informed him that n
would be unable to bring in any hom'
work because it was all burned up"
The Doellers received attention whei
they met in France shortly after thu
war. They fell in love and applied TO
a marriage license. However, Col. VII
liam l.. Littauer, the father OF Mrs
Doeller. the former Catherine Loui
Littauer. asked a French court to pre-
vent the marriage The court refused
but the marriage was postponed 81
months and finally took place in Amer
lea in 1928. Doeller was New YorI
automobile salesman and later an Arm
officer. After his marriage he becam
connected with a Washington broker
age firm. They have a home in tn
Canital at 1899 Massachusetts, avenue.