 He had earlier been asked to participate in creating some sort of provocation, and refused.As a result of that refusal he was dismissed from his position with the Citizens' Alliance five days before the Independence Depot explosion occurred.p.230 Cole stated that most of the militia and prominent members of the Citizens' Alliance stayed at the Baltimore Hotel in Victor the night before the explosion.A militia captain exhibited excitement and anticipation when he checked arms and supplies that night before the explosion.