Who were the first people to welcome and provide for Maharaj when he arrived in Shirdi?

Upon his arrival in Shirdi with a wedding procession, Maharaj's first significant interaction was with a gentleman named Mhalasapati in the Khandoba temple. Mhalasapati, a local goldsmith, not only gave him the name "Sai Baba" but also brought him into the village. As Chapter 0 explains, Mhalasapati then introduced Maharaj to his companions, Kashiram Shimpi and Appa Jagle. It is noted that these three men had a standing practice of serving and providing hospitality to the various saints, Gosavis, Bairagis, and Fakirs who often came to the busy village of Shirdi, and they extended this service to Maharaj.