A tribute to Dr. Adams upon his death published in the Colorado Springs Gazette newspaper of 30 October 1895, p. 5, stated, “Dr. B.F.D. Adams – Timely Comments on a Worthy Life Just Gone Out. In the death of Dr. Benjamin Faneuil Dunkin Adams, which occurred on Monday evening, the town has lost a loyal friend and citizen and a man of singularly sincere and elevated character. The only son in a prominent New England family, his early life was spent in the atmosphere of a home full of stimulating interests. His father, Dr. Horatio Adams, was for many years the general family physician in the town of Waltham, Mass., and the son entered naturally into a large and responsible practice, such as rarely falls to the lot of so young a man. His training, both general and special, had been of the best. Graduated from Harvard in 1860, he immediately began the study of medicine with Dr. Jeffries Wyman of Cambridge, and soon after entered the Harvard Medical School. In 1862 he was medical assistant at the State hospital in at Rainsford Island in Boston harbor, and during the two following years was surgical interne in the Massachusetts general hospital. After this, he went abroad to study in London and Paris. He thus brought to the practice of his profession a thorough preparation as well as the unusual gifts which were his by birthright and inheritance, and which he exhibited in a marked degree both in his public and private life. It does not often happen that a young man starting out in his professional career encounters at first so many and such varied responsibilities as fell to the lot of Dr. Adams. He followed in his father’s steps, and worked with the loyalty and devotion which are everywhere characteristic of a large nature. Overwork in Waltham caused his to leave his home for a time in 1867 and he spent two years in St. Paul, Minn. After this he remained in Waltham until 1882, when he came to Colorado Springs. In Massachusetts, Dr. Adams’s life was that of the prominent physician; in Colorado, owing to the limitations arising from seriously impaired health, it has been apparently that of the private citizen. But these words tell but half of the truth, for such citizenship as his is as rare as were the personal qualities which throughout his life endeared him alike to patients and friends. How rich a gift this life of enforced leisure has been to the town and to all that concerned its best interests can hardly be estimated. Dr. Adam’s opinion in any enterprise, public or private, always carried great weight. His keen insight, large sympathy, sound judgement and untiring interest in all things, great or small, combined to make him the wisest of counsellors, and the most faithful of friends. It mattered not who or what might be the claimant, the best resources of his life and attainments were put at the service of every one who turned to him for advice or sympathy. So quiet was the life he lived in our midst, that comparatively few persons knew him well. To those who did, his death means an irreparable loss. And not to them alone – for it may be safely said that Colorado Springs has seldom had a citizen who cared more steadily and sincerely for the promotion and development of her best interests. Mr. Steele, whose name will be held in honored memory while The Gazette shall last, owed much to the constant friendship of Dr. Adams and the latter, in his turn valued Mr. Steele as one large-minded wise man values another. In ways too numerous to mention, Dr. Adams has given open or quiet encouragement to undertakings which have made Colorado Springs what she is today, and which will work for her prosperity in the future. In 1887 he was elected to the board of trustees of Colorado College, and although he has frequently been unable to attend the meetings, his unfailing interest, loyal support and wise counsel have made him one of the most valued members of that progressive body. Dr. Adams was singularly fitted for the discharge of public trusts. Had his health permitted, many such opportunities would have come to him. One is tempted at first to mourn the loss of physical strength which it was his to bear. But this thought is directly followed by another and a truer one – which looks rather to the triumph of such a life – to the achievements which, in the face of limitations make it worth of being held in highest honor, and cherished in the memory of all who love uprightness of character, and unswerving faithfulness to a high ideal of public and private responsibility.”

Contributor: J Richards (49481774)