Mo. Rev. Stat. § 388.400

In all cases when it becomes necessary for any railroad company to acquire title to any unsold sixteenth section, or other school lands, required for the purposes of the incorporation, it shall be lawful in proceedings instituted by such railroad company to acquire title thereto, to notify the county school superintendent of the county in which such land, or the greater part thereof, is situate; or, if there be no such superintendent qualified to act, then such notice may be served upon the presiding commissioner of the county commission of the county in which such land, or the greater part thereof, is situate; and like proceedings shall be had as in other cases.