Lightning strike kills 20 cows at Mt. Hermon dairy

For most folks, July 4 is about celebrating independence and freedom. For Mt. Hermon dairy farmer Phillip Roberts, it was about losing 20 head of cattle to a single lightning strike.

While it was hot and dry on the eastern side of Washington Parish, it was anything but that just northwest of Mt. Hermon, as a large thunderstorm built and built until it broke loose.

Roberts, who lives on B.F. Roberts Road, told the Franklinton newspaper that, as he watched the storm come to life, he thought, “I hope I don’t lose a cow.”

Stories are plentiful of cattle being killed by lightning and, after a search of the internet, the 20 lost by Roberts are not all that out of the ordinary. Still, the loss of that many cows ready to be bred is both emotionally and financially taxing.

According to Roberts, it looked as if the cows had huddled under a large oak tree during the storm when lightning hit the tree, the electric charge ran through the trunk and into the wet ground, killing the cows. Each of the heifers weighed beween 800 and 900 pounds.

Roberts, who milks 315 cows, operates one of the parish’s larger dairy farms.

Fowler: 'Total surprise' at Citizen selection

Dennie Fowler at the
June 24 meeting of the
Parish Council.

"Total surprise. I was totally surprised."


Dennie Fowler, who, until his work as co-chairman of Washington Parish Recreation District 1 was better known as the parish's former superintendent of schools, was chosen Tuesday night as the 19th Citizen of the Year for West Washington Parish. The award is presented annually by the Bogalusa newspaper.


Fowler, who will be honored at a reception from 2-4 p.m. on Sunday, June 12 at Hillcrest Baptist Church, said he had no clue what was happening as he was informed of the selection.

The award is voted on by past recipients and is limited to nominations submitted by the public.


Fowler is serving with Johnnie Daniels as co-chair of the district, which has, as its purpose the development of a multi-purpose recreation facility to serve residents of the district, which includes Franklinton, Mt. Hermon, Hackley, Enon, Isabel, Pine and Thomas.


The complex will consist of fields for boys baseball, girls softball, adult softball and football and soccer fields. Concession stands and restrooms will be near each field. It will also include walking paths, pavilion and picnic areas, a water pad, and plenty of parking for convenient access to all areas. A gymnasium and other features will be constructed in later phases.


Traditionally, the award is limited to recognizing the recipients' work over the past year ... and between his work as a 30-plus year volunteer with the Washington Parish Free Fair and the recreation district, Fowler has been busy.


"I've always worked for the children," he said. "I've tried to stay busy and do things to help others. This was a total and complete surprise."