Havre man claims his $110,000 jackpot

Charles Loudermilk of Havre Friday claimed a $110,000 Montana Cash jackpot prize with a ticket purchased at Holiday on West First Street in Havre.

The Montana Cash drawing was held Wednesday. The winning numbers were 2, 4, 6, 12 and 24.

Loudermilk is a long-time Lottery player and said that his jackpot win got his "heart pounding. " The day after the drawing, he stopped into the same Holiday store to pick up a newspaper and saw a sign in the store that said the jackpot winner was from Havre.

"I got out to my truck and opened the paper to check the Montana Cash numbers, " said Loudermilk. "I got my ticket out and saw 2, 4 and 6 — and just knew I won. I didn't even have to keep reading the rest of the numbers. "

Loudermilk went to find his wife to tell her the good news. He started out by saying, "I hate to tell you this here. " His wife thought he had bad news. He shared the news that they won the lottery in public surrounded by people at a restaurant, and was worried she would start yelling.

Instead, she pulled up the Montana Lottery website and saw the jackpot was $20,000. "I thought that was all we won, " said his wife. The jackpot had reset to $20,000 because it had been won. It took them a little bit to realize their win amount was actually $110,000.

Loudermilk brought his wife and one of his daughters with him from Havre to pick up his check.

It was a long drive down and a "more comfortable car" is on the list of things they plan to buy with their winnings. They will also be planning some trips.

The news is still shocking to Charles and the fact that he won the Lottery hasn't quite sunk in yet. "I was sitting at home watching TV last night and just kind of forgot about it, " said Charles. "Then it hit me again and just got my heart pumping! "