Joe Arridy was a mentally disabled 23-year-old who was falsely accused of rape and murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl in Pueblo, Colorado. He was put to death on 6 January 1939. Arridy was officially pardoned in 2011 (72 years after his death) as evidence proved he was coerced into confession.
Arridy was known for spending his time on death row playing with a toy train, given to him by prison warden Roy Best, who called Arridy “the happiest prisoner on death row.” He was liked by both the prisoners and guards. His execution was commented on by warden Roy Best “He probably didn’t even know he was about to die, all he did was happily sit and play with a toy train I had given him.”
For his last meal, he requested ice cream. When questioned about his impending execution he showed “blank bewilderment” and it was clear that he didn’t realize the meaning of the gas chamber, telling the warden “No, no, Joe won’t die.” He even saved some of his ice cream for after the execution.
He was reported to have smiled while being taken to the gas chamber and was only momentarily nervous until the warden grabbed his hand and reassured him. (Source)
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