The chimes were made by the Deagan Company in Chicago, IL, with construction beginning in 1899 and lasting 1-2 years.  The idea for these chimes came from bamboo chimes of Indonesian origin called angklungs.  The Deagan Company called them Organ Chimes or Shaker Chimes.  It is unknown for sure how many sets of these chimes remain today.  In doing research on the chimes, no other exact set has been located although sets similar, with less chimes, have been found.

According to information handed down from genertion to generation, the chimes were originally ordered for the Notre Dame University Music Conservatory in South Bend, Indiana.  That order was cancelled when the conservatory was destroyed by fire.  The chimes were stored away in their two large steamer trunks for several years until they were purchased by evangelist W. Martin.  The chimes were then sold to Paul & David Mallard for use in their vaudeville act.  The chimes traveled throughout the world with this team.  This was the only time the chimes were not used for church work.   However, the Mallards became Christians and ministers and used the chimes in their church work.  In the 1920's the chimes were purchased by C.L.R. Vawter who headed up the Vawter Evangelistic Team.  C.L.R. Vawter's wife, Clarkie, kept the chimes after he died.  In 1941 she married Rev. Frank Kirk Hargrove and the chimes became a part of the Hargrove family.  Clarkie Hargrove gave the chimes to her grandson, Rev. K. David Hargrove in 1958.  The chimes are now played by Rev. Hargrove's wife and children.