What is a better ending?

[Billy the Kid is my hero]

What do you think is a better ending for the Billy the Kid story?

1. Shot dead by Pat Garrett in the bedroom of Pete Maxwell.
1859-1881

or 2. Died of a heart attack on the streets of Hico, Texas.
1859-1950

Which ending do you think is better and sadder?

[Wayne Land]

2. is better because Billy didn't deserve to get killed at the age of 21. He saw himself as a soldier fighting for justice. He fought outside the law, yes, but so did the other side. Didn't deserve to die like history says he did.

2. is sadder because he lived so long having to hide and when he finally tried to set the record straight he wasn't believed by those who had the power to help him. Sad because if he could have lived another few months or years, maybe the authorities could have been presented with more evidence to prove his true identity.

[Billy the Kid is my hero]

Anyone else?

[cassie]

Old-ish thread, but it's worth reviving in my opinion. #2 is a better ending for me, at least. Granted, a better ending would have been people believing him and the many who identified Brushy as Billy, and him dying peacefully in his sleep, but I certainly think #2 was much nicer as he got the chance to live a life free (for the most part, I'm sure) of being chased down like an animal by corrupt government officials.

[in2btk2]

#2 Scenario is by far the better and more fitting end. From the empty promises of a corrupt politician, the New Mexico Territory Governor Wallace, to the status of a folk hero and freedom fighter for the disenfranchised Hispanic people, William Henry McCarty had plenty of unfulfilled dreams to accomplish. 

[mckinley412]

either way, but of course 2 is better. the only reason 1 is neat because even in death he was able to beat the grim reaper one last time, in that he was so loved and admired that people wouldn't let him die, he was so much larger than life that they had to keep alive through rumors, tall tales, songs, movies, etc.