Eighty years ago a prophet came to the south side and drew thousands of followers. Today the remaining few face an uncertain future.

Very early on a Monday morning in September, Reuben Johnson-Bey left his home in Washington Heights to pick up the buffalo fish. As he’s done nearly every September for the last 50 years, he drove north through the south side hunting for deals. He spotted a sale at Fish #1 on Stony Island. “If you see a bargain, capitalize on it,” he likes to say. He bought 30 pounds, taking his time to look for a razorback variety that’s pulled from the Mississippi down in Arkansas and piling them into coolers. “I’m not the only person who’s acquired the buffalo fish over the years, but usually the members do like for me to get it,” he says. “I have a pick for the right type.”