***Major spoilers, obviously***
So, toward the end of the main game, it seemed a little bit silly that Arthur didn't send John and Abigail away with his own money. I had over 7k in cash, and another 8k or so in unsold valuables. We soon learn in the Epilogue that Marston's total bank debt for his land and construction is under 2k.
It's not entirely clear why Arthur's cash disappears. Certainly, they want you to feel like he really died - they want it to have some weight. But, they're not committed to it, because Marston inherits Arthur's massive arsenal of weapons, as well as all of his outfits - probably over $1000 in clothing alone. You don't inherit his food, which makes sense, since a few years have passed, but you do inherit all of his valuables.
Right away, then, it's very weird for the Epilogue to act like Marston is strapped for money to repay his bank loan. Heck, I didn't even sell anything other than a few watches, and during the first scene with the banker, Marston already had $400, which covers over 80% of the cost of the land.
Weirdly, they don't let you make payments on your own - I guess because the overwhelming majority of players would just pay off the debt right away, making it harder for Marston to justify working with Sadie to Abigail.
Just seems kind of dumb. If all it took was $1600 to buy land, a homestead, and a barn, then Arthur could have done that for Sadie, and John/Abigail, and Charles, and Mary Linton, EACH.
