Maybe somebody started trying to rig up an internal intercom system and decided that switching 120V from the utility onto the line be a good start for ringing the bells.
I've seen appliance cords, undersized ones at that, used for wiring extension receptacles, but at least I've never come across quad station wire!
I have seen a bell-push wired in the primary of a bell-xfmr before. That's 240V to ground!