Though the journey west brought out the bad in some, in others it brought out good qualities. There were many examples of generosity, such as the one Addison Crane recorded in his diary:

Mr Merriweather (one of our Co.) gave me a sack of flour to day (100 lbs) he having more than he could use—He would take no pay for it—quite generous, as it could have been sold for $12 to $15.

There was cooperation. Emigrants often went out of their way to round up livestock that had strayed and find the rightful owner, or they volunteered to help strangers recover stock stolen by Indians. Others used their teams to pull the wagons of fellow travelers from mud holes.

There was compassion. Despite the threat of cholera, emigrants stopped to assist families who were burying a loved one...