A man identified as Presbyterian missionary Rev. J. N. Cornelison stands close in front of a tipi. He is dressed in a suit with open jacket, vest, fold-down collar, and patterned bow tie. His light-colored hair is cut short. He holds a light-colored western-style hat cradled in both hands in front of his stomach as he gazes off to his right. Near his left foot, a blurred image appears to be of a small dog or other animal rearing up on its hind feet. Behind him on the ground to his right, beside the tipi, is what appears to be a pile of clothing, and a person wrapped in a geometrically patterned blanket, kneeling and with their back to the camera. The figure's left hand is extended to the side and clutching something white. Two outside poles of the tipi are visible; the tipi appears to be made of canvas with wood or reed slatting at the top.
Rev. James N. Cornelison sits in the doorway of a house. He sits at ease petting a large spotted dog. He is dressed in a suit with open jacket, vest, fold-down collar, and plaid bow tie, and appears to be wearing cowboy boots. He has a mustache and short beard. His legs are crossed and partially obscured by a plaid blanket, half of which lies in a heap at his feet. Next to it on the Reverend's right is a small pile of kindling and a chopped log. Behind him in the interior of the dwelling stands a table with turned legs, on which are piled a number of books. A cord or rope lies on the ground next to the dog.
