I have a theory on the fate of Arthur Morgan and his tuberculosis.
This theory only holds up if you get his "honor" ending.
This is copy & pasted from a comment I had left on a YouTube video.
Let me know what you think!
I have a theory, a hopeful one, but a theory none the less.
As we know, Arthur was on good terms with Rains Fall and the Natives there. Rains Falls saw Arthur as a good man, despite his past, because he knew Arthur didn't really know any better, being raised/manipulated by Dutch all of his life.
Anyways, this theory heavily involves Charles, the last gang member to see Arthur. Who quote un-quote, buries him.
As we know, Charles is half-black, half-native. After Eagle Flies dies, Charles keeps in contact with the tribe.
Charles is strong, Charles is smart, and Charles is stealthy.
He probably caught Arthur shortly after the fight with Micha, Arthur on the cusp of death. Knowing Charles he carried him a safe distance away until he could get him on horseback, and from horseback to the reservation.
Once at the reservation Rains Fall slowly nurses Arthur back to health using old medicine. Charles watchers over Arthur, and probably is a lookout in case of the US army comes to raid or wipe them out.
Arthur gives John all of his old stuff for a few reasons -
- he truly believes he is dying
- John grew on him and Arthur had a thing for Abigail at one point, and Jack may even be his kid (everyone has banged Abigail, it's revealed in RDR1).
- to erase his old life. To put the outlaw behind him.
Now, with all of Arthur's worldly possessions gone, Arthur "dead", it is easy for him to start a new life after the Indian reservation. No one will be looking for Arthur Morgan, because he is "dead.". That means no US govt, no gang, and no John Marston.