Who were the first people to welcome and look after Sai Baba in Shirdi, and what was their background?

According to the account in chapter 0, the very first person to welcome Maharaj to Shirdi was a man named Mhalasapati. Mhalasapati was a goldsmith by caste and a resident of Shirdi who was a devout follower of Khandoba. He is the one who greeted Maharaj with the words "Aavo Sai Baba" at the Khandoba temple. After this initial welcome, Mhalasapati introduced Baba to his friends, Kashiram Shimpi and Appa Jagle. The text notes that these three men had a standing practice of serving and providing hospitality to saints, fakirs, and other holy men who visited their village.