Interesting information from Ed Gaida on J. C. Deagan.

I know of three sets of Deagan chimes installed around Central
California: original installations in the Community Church of Kingsburg
(10-bell), City Hall Pacific Grove (5-bell Westminster) and probably
the most unique of any, a 12-bell "portable set owned by Frank Caglia
in Fresno.  All are equipped with either a roll player or, in the case
of the City Hall, a tripper system to play the five bells.

Frank Caglia is an amazing person.  He is nearly 90 now and going
strong.  25 years ago the Fresno Belmont Memorial Park was going to
scrap its 12-bell tower chime and put in some taped thing.  Frank
assembled a removal crew and had a crane from his electric motor repair
business lift out each part to a warehouse for restoration.  Once
restored, the unit was reassembled on a trucks flat bed, with its own
generator.

The unit made many treks in area parades as well as displays at the
local county fair.  It was so loud that its use was heavily curtailed.
I do not believe it has been pulled out and played in years.

Mr. Gaida goes on to mention, "Deagan even installed a tubular bell
carillon in a theater!  The Mayfair Theater in Asbury Park, New Jersey,
had a 10-tone set installed in 1927!"

There was a 3m 21r Moeller organ installed in this theatre, and I would
assume the Moeller played the 10-bell set.

There was another, more famous, theatre that had a large 20+ bell set:
The New York City Roxy Theatre of 1927.  The device was installed on
the roof.  I assume the 5m Kimball organ in this theatre also played
the chime unit.  The Deagan unit was destroyed when the theatre was
demolished 40+ years ago.  There are photos documenting this large unit
for the Roxy.

Thomas L. DeLay <tdelaycalifornia@att.net>
Salinas, CA