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.
A group of people, identified as Reverend J.N. Cornelison, Kash-Kash, James Kash-Kash, Peter Lindsey, Ip-na-sol-e-tok, Awa-wanita, Its-kaka, Its-wash-pa-lu, Nuncipo, Tsin-tshpu, and Ish-tanse, are posing outside for a portrait. The Native Americans are identified as being members of the Cayuse Tribe. The group consists of seven women, three men, and two children. All individuals are wearing Euro-American style clothing. The women are wearing shawls and scarves tied around their heads. One child is wearing a hat. One of the men is wearing eyeglasses and has a hat on the ground in front of him. The names of the people are tentative and have not yet been verified by tribal members.
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.
