By the time Goodnight arrived at Fort Sumner, the wound in Loving's side was healed, but the damage to his wrist had worsened and gangrene had set in. The doctor wanted to amputate, but Loving would not allow it unless his partner was there with him. After Goodnight's arrival, the doctor feared losing the patient in the amputation and began to postpone the surgery day after day. Finally, Goodnight threatened the doctor with bodily harm if he did not operate. With that the arm was removed above the elbow the same day. Loving seemed to be improving at first, but then the artery burst and another operation was required to re-tie it.

The shock of this last insult to his constitution proved to be too much for him - he gradually faded afterwards and died 22 days later at the age of 54 years. Before he died, he made two final requests of his old friend and partner - that Goodnight might continue their partnership for at least two more years in order that Loving's family be left out of debt, and that he not be "laid away in a foreign country." Goodnight agreed to both of these wishes, even though Loving thought the second would be impossible.