(Yes another question spawned from Red Dead II)

In the late 1800s, when westward expansion was bearing fruits, the continent was still a very dangerous place. Apart from Sherrifs and to a lesser extent, Bounty Hunters, what would the average citizen expect the state to do if they were in trouble (ie attacked by animal, person or plain went missing)?

The decades of the manifest destiny saw awful incidents such as Donner Pass. Surely after that, bringing civilisation to the "wild west" also meant bringing East Coast welfare and security?

Additionally were local militias a force for good and more trusted than lawmen in this period or were they too out of control?

Thanks in advance.