Exploring Bolivia's Epicenter: Sundance Kid's Legacy

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were two of the most famous outlaws in American history. Their exploits inspired the classic 1969 film 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid', starring Paul Newman and Robert Redford. The film ends with the pair going out in a blaze of glory during a gun battle in Bolivia in 1908, but the truth of their demise is murkier. While it is believed that they died in a shootout in the small village of San Vicente, Bolivia, there are persistent rumours and alleged sightings that suggest they may have survived. The legend of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid continues to captivate imaginations, sparking numerous documentaries, books, and even alternative film interpretations, such as 'Blackthorn' (2011), which explores the idea that Cassidy survived and lived out his days in Bolivia under the name James Blackthorn.

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid's death in Bolivia

Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, or Robert LeRoy Parker and Harry Longabaugh, respectively, were believed to have been killed in a shootout with the Bolivian Army in November 1908. However, the exact circumstances of their deaths remain unclear, and there are several theories and legends surrounding their demise.

The widely accepted narrative is that on November 3, 1908, Cassidy and Longabaugh robbed a courier for the Aramayo Franke and Cia Silver Mine near the small mining town of San Vicente in southern Bolivia. Three days later, they were traced to a small boarding house in San Vicente, where they were surrounded by the local authorities and the Abaroa cavalry regiment. A gunfight ensued, and during a lull in the fighting, shots were heard from inside the house, followed by silence. The next morning, the authorities entered the house and found two bodies with numerous bullet wounds and fatal shots to the head. One man was believed to be Longabaugh, with a bullet wound to his forehead, and the other, thought to be Cassidy, had a bullet hole in his temple. It was speculated that Cassidy had shot Longabaugh to end his suffering and then turned the gun on himself. The men were buried in a small cemetery in San Vicente, but attempts to locate their graves and confirm their identities through DNA testing in 1991 and 2017 were unsuccessful.

The ambiguity surrounding their fate has fuelled speculation and legends that Cassidy and Longabaugh survived the shootout and lived on. Members of Cassidy's family, including his sister Lula Parker Betenson, believed that he lived for decades after the South American shootout. Betenson claimed that Cassidy returned to the United States and visited his family in Utah in 1925, recounting his exploits and keeping in touch until his alleged death in 1937. She wrote a book, "Butch Cassidy, My Brother," detailing these encounters and citing Cassidy himself as the source of the information. Additionally, there were numerous alleged sightings and reports of Cassidy's presence in various places after 1908, including Wyoming, Oregon, California, and Nevada.

Adding to the mystery, an engineer named William T. Phillips claimed to be the real Cassidy and wrote a book, "Bandit Invincible," about the outlaw's exploits. However, historian Larry Pointer later refuted this claim by uncovering mugshots of both Cassidy and Phillips, proving they were two different individuals who may have served time together.

In conclusion, while the popular belief holds that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid met their end in a blaze of glory during the Bolivian shootout of 1908, the lack of definitive evidence and the emergence of alternative theories have ensured that the true fate of these notorious outlaws remains an enduring enigma.

The Wild Bunch

The gang's meticulous planning and shrewd attention to detail, led by Cassidy, made their robberies successful. They scouted robbery sites and escape routes, chose summer months for holdups, and avoided killing people. However, they were pursued by the Pinkerton Detective Agency, and in 1901, they fled to Argentina, along with Sundance's girlfriend, Etta Place. They purchased a ranch in the Cholila Valley and lived as ranchers for a few years.

In Bolivia, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid worked at a tin mine, but they couldn't resist returning to crime. They robbed a payroll on November 3, 1908, and were surrounded by the Bolivian authorities in their lodging house in San Vicente. A gunfight ensued, resulting in the death of one or both men, with a possible suicide. The men buried in a nearby Indian cemetery were believed to be Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, but their identities were never officially confirmed.

The legend of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has endured, with stories and conspiracy theories surrounding their fate. Some claimed they survived the shootout and lived on, while others, like Lula Betenson, Cassidy's youngest sister, asserted that they didn't die in Bolivia at all. She wrote a book, "Butch Cassidy, My Brother," detailing her alleged meeting with Cassidy in 1925 and sharing stories she heard directly from him.

The enduring appeal of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has inspired numerous films, documentaries, and books, keeping their legacy alive and fueling speculation about their true fate.

The 1969 film 'Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid'

The 1969 film "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" ends with the two outlaws, played by Paul Newman and Robert Redford, respectively, appearing to die in a blaze of glory during a gun battle in Bolivia in 1908. However, the film's ambiguous ending and various theories have sparked debates about the fate of the real-life outlaws.

The film is based on the lives and deaths of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, members of the Wild Bunch, a notorious gang of outlaws known for their train and bank robberies in the late 1800s to early 1900s. In the film's ending, the pair seem to meet their demise in a shootout with Bolivian authorities, mirroring the legend surrounding the historical figures.

However, the historical accuracy of this conclusion has been questioned. Some believe that Butch Cassidy, the charismatic leader of the Wild Bunch, lived for decades after the infamous South American shootout. This belief is supported by alleged sightings of Cassidy after his supposed death and the absence of definitive evidence confirming the identities of the bodies buried in Bolivia.

The ambiguity surrounding the fate of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid has fueled speculation and theories. One theory suggests that the pair staged their death in Bolivia to escape the constant pursuit of law enforcement. This theory is presented in the book "Butch Cassidy, My Brother" by Lula Betenson, Cassidy's youngest sister. According to Betenson, a man named Percy Seibert, a friend of Cassidy and Sundance, intentionally misidentified the bodies of two bandits killed in the gunfight as Cassidy and Sundance. This act of gratitude, in return for Cassidy saving his life, allowed the outlaws to live the rest of their days in peace under assumed identities.

The enduring mystery of their fate has contributed to the enduring fascination with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, as depicted in the 1969 film.

The real-life Butch Cassidy

Cassidy's first major crime was robbing the San Miguel Valley Bank in Telluride with associates Matt Warner and Tom McCarty. He then changed his name to protect himself and his family, choosing the surname Cassidy in honour of his mentor. He earned the nickname "Butch" from Matt Warner, who thought it was a joke.

Cassidy met his partner in crime, Harry Longabaugh (aka the Sundance Kid), after a stint in jail. Together, they robbed banks and trains, becoming well-known for their meticulous planning and successful escapes. They were also known for their charm and for avoiding violence during their robberies.

By 1900, Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were tired of life on the run and fled to South America, settling in Cholila, Argentina, under assumed names. They were joined by Sundance's girlfriend, Etta Place, and continued their life of crime, robbing banks in South America.

In 1908, the pair were said to have stolen payroll from a mining company in San Vicente, Bolivia. They were killed in a shootout with the Bolivian Cavalry, according to the official story. However, there are persistent legends and rumours that Cassidy survived and returned to the United States, living well into his old age.

Lula Betenson, Cassidy's youngest sister, claimed that Cassidy did not die in Bolivia and that she met with him in 1925. She wrote a book, "Butch Cassidy, My Brother", detailing their meeting and quoting Cassidy himself. She also claimed that Cassidy's grave was a closely guarded family secret and that he died in 1937.

The ambiguity surrounding Cassidy's fate has fuelled speculation and fascination, with many people believing that he lived a long life after the legendary shootout in Bolivia.

The Sundance Kid's attire in Bolivia

The black suit is single-breasted with slim notch lapels, three buttons down the front, open patch hip pockets, and no rear vent. The jacket is often worn open, probably to combat the Bolivian heat. It features two vertical yokes running down the front, resembling suspenders, and a self-belt to keep the coat close around the waist. The trousers are more standard, with belt loops, side pockets, and plain-hemmed bottoms.

The Sundance Kid's choice of footwear is tall, black leather, plain-toe riding boots. His hat is also black, with a low-crowned flat top, wide band, and an upturned brim on the sides. The hat is sacrificed in San Vicente, but it serves the character well while it lasts.

Under the suit, the Sundance Kid wears a brown leather vest, tied with a dark brown string through a 2-eyelet front. It has a straight bottom cut and single-breasted shawl lapels. The vest also features two square lower pockets, which are perfect for thumbs.

For shirts, the character wears a light amber long-sleeve shirt with dark rust-orange buttons and a turndown collar. The shirt has a plain front, double-buttoned barrel cuffs, and two breast pockets. Earlier in the film, during the first robbery attempt, he wears a pale blue striped shirt with a black kerchief tied around his neck under the wide point collar.

The character also wears a silver ring on his right ring finger, yellow leather shooting gloves, and a black leather belt and gun belt.

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