LINCOLN, Kansas — A Lincoln County, Kansas, man is $1 million richer, thanks to a Salina gas station employee. The lottery winner's brother accidentally dropped the winning ticket at a gas station over the weekend, before the numbers were checked.
The winner, who lives in Lincoln Co. and chose to remain anonymous, told lottery officials he was rushing to go watch the NCAA Tournament when they decided to stop in Salina for gas.
"My brother went in to check my tickets. He apparently dropped the unsigned Mega Millions ticket, and then we left to go back home," the winner explained.
The Lottery said the clerk's reaction upon finding the ticket: Call the store's owner to see if they could return it. The store owner's son went in to help find the winner, so they could give it back.
"We had already been home for about an hour, and then went out and ran another errand. As we passed the store, the owner's son pulled out behind us and flagged us down. He explained what happened and handed me the ticket, and I just couldn't believe it!" the winner explained.
Despite local media attempts to discover which gas station the Good Samaritan works at, the Kansas Lottery isn't saying.
The winning ticket was actually sold about 40 miles away in Lincoln, a town of a little more than 1,200 people.
Katie Black is a clerk at the town's Mity Mart, the store that actually sold the million-dollar ticket.
"I am so excited for this person," Black says of the big winner. "I wish I knew who it was but they choose to stay anonymous and we really do respect that."
As with most small towns, word travels fast in Lincoln. Just about everyone in the close-knit community wonders who among them could be a new millionaire.
"We've been racking our brains all morning thinking, 'who have I sold a Mega Millions ticket to in the last week?'" Black says.
The convenience store in Lincoln would not be celebrating the sale without the help of another gas station somewhere in Salina.
And now gas station employees in Salina want to know how is behind the good deed that made sure the owner of the winning ticket gets his payday.
"It's just nice to know there are still good Samaritans around, not just pure greed," says Snak Atak clerk Shelly Thomas.
The Mity Mart will receive a $1,000 bonus for selling the ticket.
Congratulations to him. I wonder what's he going to do with it?
Great story Todd. Gives you comfort knowing that there are people with decency and integrity still out there. Kudos to the clerk for being a responsible person. I can only hope the ticket owner can find it in his/her heart to consider doing something for that clerk.
Honest Abe Lincoln would be proud of these people. It seems to me that 'Lincoln' is a popular name for cities in the MidWest. In Lincoln, Nebraska, which used to be called Lincoln Station, a Power Ball jackpot worth $365 million was won by eight ConAgra employees on February 22, 2006. I wonder how those winners are doing today.
My guess is that the railroad companies had a hand in naming towns.
Whatever the IRS amount for gift giving in 2018 is what this clerk deserves. A good $10K would be great for this good Samaritan.
I believe that the gift tax exclussion amount is now $15,000.00 per person per year.
A check for $10,000.00 would be appreciated.
That “Good Samaritan” clerk is an ex Californian.
i'd say give such great person with a big kind heart and beautiful spirit,wonderful honest to good person all around
25k, at least or even $50,000. I sure would.
Love hearing a few good people really do still exist in our nation.
God bless such good/great soul.
Good people still walks among us. Great story.
How I'd love to watch evening news just one night with nothing but news just like this. I used to work at a gas station so really relate to stories like this. I predict this clerk will go far in a customer service career.
"Despite local media attempts to discover which gas station the Good Samaritan works at, the Kentucky Lottery isn't saying."
Kentucky?? or Kansas?
Salina isn't in Kentucky. Article states Kansas. No wonder my lottery didn't answer you...lol
Hope you win big Wizeguy so we can read all about you on Lottery Post.
Yup, the whole article was about Kansas except the one reference to Kentucky.
Thanx Bleudog101. I hope you win big as well. I live in an anonymous state so you'll only read about the win in general. My legal team will provide Todd an exclusive news release though. I have big plans for the winnings. I have favorite charities that will get the funds I wish I could give now.
Good deed!!! I pray the winner rewards that employee. Either way a blessing must come for that person.