All times shown are Eastern Time (GMT-5:00) | Home -> Forums -> Lottery News -> $14.3 million lottery winner almost didn't claim prize $14.3 million lottery winner almost didn't claim prize Wisconsin Lottery: $14.3 million lottery winner almost didn't claim prizeRating:For three days, employees of the Kelley Williamson Mobil station that sold Saturday's winning $14.3 million Megabucks ticket wondered who the lucky buyer was. They hoped it was a regular customer, like Napolean Elvord, an ailing veteran in need of a kidney transplant who comes in several times a day to get what he calls "one of the best coffees in Madison" — and most days, to buy lottery tickets. "I asked him the next day, 'Were you the big winner?'" said Paul Muchie, 29, of Madison, who sold the winning ticket at the store at 3859 E. Washington Ave. on the Far East Side. Elvord said it wasn't him, but as days passed with no one coming forward to claim the millions, manager Corky Wunderlin asked again. "He thought it was Wednesday's drawing" that had the multimillion winner, Wunderlin said. Elvord said he found his ticket from Saturday's drawing on a table at his home. "A couple people gave me the numbers," he said, but when he compared them with his ticket, "It didn't mean anything." So Elvord, who said he'll turn "60 in a couple years," took his ticket to the Wisconsin Lottery office to see if he was the winner. "The first thing they asked me was, 'Did you make up the ticket?'" Most people who come in already know they have a winning ticket, explained Michael Edmonds, the lottery's director. What went through his head when he realized he had won millions? "It's still going through my head," said Elvord, who opted for a $10.2 million lump sum payment, giving him $6.87 million after taxes. A first priority is taking care of health insurance, said Elvord, who has been receiving dialysis for five years. He also plans to return to the warmer climate of his native Texas. Elvord said he had let another customer go ahead of him before Muchie printed out his winning Megabucks ticket with computer-generated numbers. "I think it was a mistake because I was trying to play the Powerball." Wisconsin State Journal We'd love to see your comments here! Register for a FREE membership — it takes just a few moments — and you'll be able to post comments here and on any of our forums. If you're already a member, you can Log In to post a comment. 21 comments. Last comment 4 months ago by . Take The Money And Run Hooksett, NH United States Member #111467 May 25, 2011 1698 Posts Online | | Posted: January 24, 2012, 7:30 pm - IP Logged | |
Love this story. Apparently Elvord was trying to purchase a Powerball ticket...... not the Megabucks. When mistakes or confusion take place when buying a ticket.....good fortune alway's seems to follow$$$ I alway's buy the mistake ticket(s) whenever the cashier offers to print a new one.  Congratulations Elvord!  MONEY is the root of all Easy lifestyle, Volunteerism in community, Instant immunity from poverty, Living & giving large.  | | |
Ridge Runner - Oracle of the Appalachians Way back up in them hills, son United States Member #74415 April 28, 2009 9579 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 24, 2012, 7:48 pm - IP Logged | |
Glad to see a regular guy like Elvord win a big one like this. God bless him. . I will not comply. I will never submit. | | |
South Carolina United States Member #6 November 4, 2001 8182 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 24, 2012, 8:36 pm - IP Logged | |
"The first thing they asked me was, 'Did you make up the ticket?'" Just what does that mean? They think he printed it up himself ? I get mental block at times But I can not figure out that statement. Stats hunting:  | | |
da bronx,city island,n.y. United States Member #30895 January 17, 2006 267 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 24, 2012, 9:18 pm - IP Logged | |
I sent this story to Todd as soon as I read it ..I readly find it to be pretty wild stuff | | |
egg harbor twp.south jersey shore United States Member #112990 June 29, 2011 1379 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 24, 2012, 9:35 pm - IP Logged | |
For three days, employees of the Kelley Williamson Mobil station that sold Saturday's winning $14.3 million Megabucks ticket wondered who the lucky buyer was. They hoped it was a regular customer, like Napolean Elvord, an ailing veteran in need of a kidney transplant who comes in several times a day to get what he calls "one of the best coffees in Madison" — and most days, to buy lottery tickets. "I asked him the next day, 'Were you the big winner?'" said Paul Muchie, 29, of Madison, who sold the winning ticket at the store at 3859 E. Washington Ave. on the Far East Side. Elvord said it wasn't him, but as days passed with no one coming forward to claim the millions, manager Corky Wunderlin asked again. "He thought it was Wednesday's drawing" that had the multimillion winner, Wunderlin said. Elvord said he found his ticket from Saturday's drawing on a table at his home. "A couple people gave me the numbers," he said, but when he compared them with his ticket, "It didn't mean anything." So Elvord, who said he'll turn "60 in a couple years," took his ticket to the Wisconsin Lottery office to see if he was the winner. "The first thing they asked me was, 'Did you make up the ticket?'" Most people who come in already know they have a winning ticket, explained Michael Edmonds, the lottery's director. What went through his head when he realized he had won millions? "It's still going through my head," said Elvord, who opted for a $10.2 million lump sum payment, giving him $6.87 million after taxes. A first priority is taking care of health insurance, said Elvord, who has been receiving dialysis for five years. He also plans to return to the warmer climate of his native Texas. Elvord said he had let another customer go ahead of him before Muchie printed out his winning Megabucks ticket with computer-generated numbers. "I think it was a mistake because I was trying to play the Powerball." i often tell people to go in front of me, at any store, it's good for you and shows sense of commuinity when i read this i was glad i did't win that game, congrats napolean, get well,hopefully the tx. climate and the feeling of being home will help cure you, have heard of such things, i'll take my win another game.  Extraordinary Popular Delusions & the Madness of Crowds -- Charles Mackay LL.D. | | |
PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 1114 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 25, 2012, 10:09 am - IP Logged | |
God Bless Napolean Elvord!  Now if I could get one of my "mistakes" to turn into good fortune!  I am looking to keep the good luck streak for Pennsylvania residents going strong with tomorrow's Powerball drawing ....... "Green with Money" - dpoly1, 1/27/2012  1 percent is good!
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PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 1114 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 25, 2012, 10:29 am - IP Logged | |
Oooooooooooops, the picture of my new car is bigger than I thougt it would be  | | |
S.E.Iowa United States Member #120520 December 21, 2011 335 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 25, 2012, 12:31 pm - IP Logged | |
God Bless Napolean Elvord!  Now if I could get one of my "mistakes" to turn into good fortune!  I am looking to keep the good luck streak for Pennsylvania residents going strong with tomorrow's Powerball drawing ....... "Green with Money" - dpoly1, 1/27/2012  1 percent is good!
Powerball is TONIGHT,not tomorrow night.Good luck,anyway. | | |
Johannesburg South Africa Member #113611 July 12, 2011 48 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 25, 2012, 12:32 pm - IP Logged | |
God bless, Napolean. Now he can pay for his kidney transplant, and return to sunny Texas.  And live happily ever after. | | |
PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 1114 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 25, 2012, 2:38 pm - IP Logged | |
Powerball is TONIGHT,not tomorrow night.Good luck,anyway. But I cannot claim it until tomorrow  Thanks anywho ...................... .......... and then I can proceed to claim more sunshine than we get here in Pennsylvania ................ | | |
Take The Money And Run Hooksett, NH United States Member #111467 May 25, 2011 1698 Posts Online | | Posted: January 25, 2012, 3:04 pm - IP Logged | |
"The first thing they asked me was, 'Did you make up the ticket?'" Just what does that mean? They think he printed it up himself ? I get mental block at times But I can not figure out that statement. Yeah....... he should have said TOP COP from Iowa lottery security Steve Bogle made it up for him,......as a professional courtesy of course.  MONEY is the root of all Easy lifestyle, Volunteerism in community, Instant immunity from poverty, Living & giving large.  | | |
PA United States Member #66644 October 16, 2008 1114 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 25, 2012, 6:12 pm - IP Logged | |
Yeah....... he should have said TOP COP from Iowa lottery security Steve Bogle made it up for him,......as a professional courtesy of course.  ROTFLOLing  | | |
United States Member #72957 March 18, 2009 562 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 25, 2012, 8:55 pm - IP Logged | |
The article reads: "So Elvord, who said he'll turn "60 in a couple years," took his ticket to the Wisconsin Lottery office to see if he was the winner. "The first thing they asked me was, 'Did you make up the ticket?'" Hum, I wonder if any visiting lottery ticket holder has ever answered "yes" to this BOLD question from a Wisconsin Lottery Headquarters office personnel member? Also, I wonder what happens if the answer received is "Yes." [Does the forgerer get a pat on the head, and perhaps a compliment, if their home-grown lottery ticket looks pleasing to the eyes?] Having millions of dollars in my financial accounts means more, consistent fun for me.
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Oklahoma United States Member #82920 November 12, 2009 1685 Posts Offline | | Posted: January 26, 2012, 8:05 am - IP Logged | |
Congratulation Mr. Elvord........ | | |
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