Purchase of winning $14M ticket a mistake

MADISON, Wis., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- A Wisconsin man says it took him several days to realize he held the winning ticket to a $14.3 million lottery jackpot.

Napolean Elvord of Madison claimed the Megabucks prize Friday, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

Elvord bought the ticket to last Saturday's drawing at the convenience store at Kelley Williamson Mobil, where he buys coffee more than once daily. Store employees knew they had sold a winning ticket and asked Elvord at least twice if it was him, being told it was not both times.

It turns out Elvord thought the big jackpot was for Wednesday's drawing -- and was trying to buy a Powerball ticket when he purchased the winner. He finally dug up the ticket sitting on a table at his home and took it to the state Lottery office, where he learned he was the big winner.

Elvord, who says he will turn 60 in a couple of years, is on dialysis and needs a kidney transplant. Asked how it felt to win the big one, he responded, "It's still going through my head."

He opted for a lump sum payment, which will give him almost $7 million after taxes, and plans to use the money to get health insurance and move back to Texas.