Career
Later, he became better with the language and the missionary work. In 1875 he was the first bishop to have responsibility for the apostolic vicariate of Gansu. In 1889 he was sent by the Pope to the apostolic vicariate of Southwest-Mongolia.
Although he had problems again with language, the Chinese noted his extraordinary helpfulness and devotion.
In 1899, he was caught up in the anti-Christian Boxer rebellion. In July and August 1900 the Boxers reached the area where Bishop Hamer was working.
The Boxers took him to jail on 19 July, and four days later they subjected him to beatings, mockery, questioning, and torture. That same day, 23 July, he was killed.
Three sticks were put together into a tripod, and an iron hook was placed at the top.
The bishop was stripped and wrapped in a cotton cloth, and dunked in oil. He was then hanged by his feet from the hook with his head hanging down. The cloth was then set on fire.
A loud scream was heard, and he died.