Marie Meyer

Marie Meyer (January 17, 1899 – May 24, 1956), later Marie Meyer Fower, was an American barnstorming pilot who ran the Marie Meyer Flying Circus in the United States in the 1920s. She was a pilot, a wingwalker and a parachutist.

Career

By 1922, Marie had earned her pilot’s license, bought one of the training "Jennies" being sold off by the US Army, and formed the Marie Meyer Flying Circus. The Marie Meyer Flying Circus performed at state fairs across the American Midwest. Her pilots included Charles Lee Fower, Joe Hammer, Jimmie Donohue, John Hunter, and even Charles Lindbergh during his barnstorming days. Marie was successful in getting sponsorships from companies such as Flint automobiles and Texaco oil and gas, who partnered with her in advertising. Companies such as the Jefferson County Oil Company donated oil and gas for events.

Marie Meyer performed as a pilot, a wingwalker and a parachutist. Meyer also hired Elbert “Bertie” Brooks, a trapeze artist, to perform while hanging below the plane. Years later, Meyer told a reporter: The Marie Meyer Flying Circus continued to operate until 1928 or 1929. Flying was becoming less novel for the spectators, stunts were more regulated, and owning and running aircraft was becoming more expensive.

Marie died in a car accident in Hot Springs, Arkansas on May 24, 1956, while traveling with friends. Charles died on February 2, 1967. They are buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in Macon.