It never rains, but it pours.  I just received my October 2010 issue of
"The American Organist" and found on p. 79-81 an article by Rollin
Smith titled "Pipe Organs of the Rich and Famous: C. Bai Lihme and his
Welte-Mignon Organ".  The brief article can be summed up by quoting the
headline in the June 28, 1927, issue of the New York Times:

    "SERVANTS ON SPREE WRECK LIHME HOME, RUIN ART TREASURES.  Doorman,
    Disgruntled Over Pay, Hurls Bottles at $200,000 Van Dyck.  RUBENS
    'OLD MAN' A TARGET.  Vases and Mirrors Bombarded in Fifth Ave.
    Apartment During Absence of Owner.  LEADER OF TRIO CONFESSES.  He
    and Elevator Man Who Admitted Them are Held.  No Estimate of Damage
    is Made."

A quote in Smith's article tells us that "On the west wall was a built-
in Welte-Mignon organ with pipes ingeniously concealed ... so that when
played in the salon on the 12th floor [of the apartment at 5th Ave. and
76th St.] its music could be turned on or off in any of the other rooms
of the triplex apartment which runs from the 12th to the 14th floor.
Most of the organ keys were smashed.  Some were ripped out.  Footmarks
were plainly visible on them.  Somebody had climbed on the organ and
stamped on the keys."

Mr. Smith notes that "The organ mentioned in the article was a two-
manual, nine-rank Welte that had just been installed.  It could be
played from the console or by an automatic roll player."  He then
provides a stop list.

Unfortunately, "The American Organist" is not online and you might have
to find an AGO member to see the complete article.  Several references
are given that would provide additional information.

While leads to a number of roll-operated pipe organs have shown up
here, I might suggest that an inquiry be placed at the pipe organ list
( http://www.albany.edu/piporg-l/ ) as well.  Surely, a number of
organists have encountered roll-operated pipe organs and may be able to
supply more complete information.

Herb Crandell
Grand Blanc, MI